A Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers studying the biomedical research enterprise through a science of science policy lens. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations with research capacity. Proposals must address how social, economic, or organizational factors shape biomedical research and innovation. Both U.S. citizens and non-citizens may apply, subject to NSF and NIH eligibility requirements.
Projects should advance understanding of the scientific research enterprise or strengthen the biomedical research workforce. Research can focus on diversity, innovation, productivity, or efficiency in biomedical science. Collaboration between teams with complementary expertise is encouraged.
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Program description
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are interested in proposals that will propel our understanding of the biomedical research enterprise by drawing from the scientific expertise of the science of science policy research community.
NSF promotes the progress of science by maintaining the general health of research and education across all fields of science and engineering. The Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate within NSF supports basic research on people and society. The SBE sciences focus on human behavior and social organizations; how social, economic, political, cultural and environmental forces affect the lives of people from birth to old age; and how people in turn shape those forces. SBE’s Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact Program (SoS:DCI) supports research designed to advance the scientific basis of science and innovation policy.
The NIH is the U.S. federal agency charged with supporting biomedical research in the U.S.The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) within the NIH supports basic biomedical research that increases understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Both NSF and NIH believe that there are opportunities and needs for building and supporting research projects with a focus on the scientific research enterprise. The two agencies also recognize that when programmatic goals are compatible, coordinated management and funding of a research program can have a positive synergistic effect on the level and scope of research and can leverage the investments of both agencies.
Therefore, NIGMS and SBE are partnering to enable collaboration in research between theSoS:DCI program and NIGMS. This partnership will result in a portfolio of high-quality research to provide scientific analysis of important aspects of the biomedical research enterprise and efforts to foster a diverse, innovative, productive and efficient scientific workforce, from which future scientific leaders will emerge.
Prospective investigators are strongly encouraged to discuss theirproposals with the program officers before submission to determine project relevance to the priorities of both SBE and NIGMS. Specific questions pertaining to this solicitation can also be directed to the SBE and NIGMS program officers.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF/NIH Joint Proposal Form (or equivalent NSF and NIH specific forms)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketches of Key Personnel
- Institutional Commitment Letters (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.859 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$59,464,779
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$57,271,194
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$56,019,458
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$54,912,096
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$53,329,877
-
$52,858,544
-
$52,347,059
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$52,026,661
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$50,897,104
-
$49,349,731
Top States by Funding
- ME 4 awards $143.3M
- MS 4 awards $135.1M
- NY 5 awards $131.6M
- CA 5 awards $129.3M
- RI 4 awards $126.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.859). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,085,929,426 | |
| 2025 | $3,092,472,727 | |
| 2026 est. | $3,093,422,000 |
FAQ
Who can submit proposals for this grant?
Universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and federally funded research centers with research capacity. Contact program officers before submitting to confirm project fit.
What is the deadline and funding range?
The fixed deadline is September 9, 2026. Awards typically range from $100,000 to $250,000 per project.
What types of research activities are supported?
Research analyzing the biomedical research enterprise using science of science methods. Studies on research workforce diversity, innovation, productivity, and efficiency are priorities.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a competitive program with $2 million in total funding. Early contact with program officers improves application success.
Is cost sharing required?
No, cost sharing is not required for this grant. All eligible costs can be funded by the award.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact NSF and NIH program officers before writing your proposal. They clarify priorities and can provide feedback on project relevance.
- Ground your project in rigorous science of science methodology. Proposals should use established research approaches, not exploratory or speculative analyses.
- Address both NSF and NIH interests in your proposal narrative. Explain how your research serves the biomedical research community and science policy.
- Emphasize the potential impact on biomedical research enterprise outcomes. Show how findings could inform policy or improve research efficiency.
- Include a diverse research team with expertise in both science of science and biomedical research. Interdisciplinary collaboration strengthens competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack rigorous science of science methodology or rely too heavily on anecdotal evidence. Applicants fail to address both NSF and NIH priorities or neglect to contact program officers before submission. Weak connections between proposed research and biomedical research enterprise outcomes reduce competitiveness.
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