Biomechanics and Mechanobiology
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for fundamental and transformative research in biomechanics and mechanobiology at U.S. research institutions and universities. Projects must include a clear biological component, a clear mechanics component, and advance understanding of mechanical behavior in living systems. Research across multiple scales—from molecules and cells to tissues and whole organisms—is eligible. Theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches are welcome. NSF does not fund clinical trials, but feasibility studies with human or animal subjects may be supported if scientifically justified.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (BMMB) program is part of the Mechanics of Materials cluster within the Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation.
The BMMB program supports fundamental and transformative research that advances our understanding of engineering biomechanics and/or mechanobiology. The program emphasizes the study of biological mechanics across multiple domains, from sub-cellular to whole organism. Distinct from conventional engineering materials, the program encourages the consideration of diverse living tissues as smart materials that are self-designing.
BMMB projects must have a clear biological component, a clear mechanics component, and must improve our understanding of the mechanical behavior of a living system. Investigations of the mechanical behavior of biological molecules, cells, tissues, and living systems are welcome. An important concern is the influence of in vivo mechanical forces on cell and matrix biology in the histomorphogenesis, maintenance, regeneration, repair, and aging of tissues and organs. The program is also interested in efforts to translate recent biomechanical and mechanobiological discoveries into engineering science.
Multiscale mechanics approaches are encouraged but not required. Projects may include theoretical, computational, or experimental approaches, or a combination thereof. NSF does not support clinical trials; however, feasibility studies involving human volunteers or animal subjects may be supported if appropriate to the scientific objectives of the project.
Proposals should address the novelty and/or potentially transformative nature of the proposed work compared to previous work in the field. Also, it is essential to address why the proposed work is important in terms of engineering science, and to state the potential impact of success in the research on society and/or industry.
Innovative proposals outside of these specific areas of biomechanics and mechanobiology will be considered. However, prior to submission of particularly unique topics, it is strongly recommended that Principal Investigators (PIs) contact the program director to discuss how the proposed work fits within the scope of the program and avoid the possibility of the proposal being returned without review.
Related programs also fund certain aspects of biomechanics and mechanobiology research, and PIs are encouraged to examine these to find the appropriate program for submission. Proposals with a heavy emphasis on tissue engineering or developing validated models of tissue and organ systems should consider the Engineering of Biomedical Systems (EBMS) program.Projects addressing biological questions about the physiological mechanisms and structural features of organisms should consult the Physiological Mechanisms & Biomechanics (PMB) program.Projects elucidating aspects of neural control may consider the Perception, Action, & Cognition (PAC) program or the Mind, Machine, and Motor Nexus (M3X) program if the project contains work relevant to human-machine interaction. Projects in rehabilitation engineering should consider the Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering (DARE) program. Projects focused on fundamental research related to design, characterization, and modification of biomaterials should consider the Biomaterials (BMAT) program. Manufacturing systems proposals should consider the Advanced Manufacturing (AM) program. Work on the interplay between structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules without advancing our understanding of the mechanics of a living system should consider the Molecular Biophysics program. Researchers who believe their work may span multiple programs are particularly encouraged to contact the cognizant program directors well in advance of submission.
The duration of unsolicited proposal awards is generally up to three years; proposals for a shorter duration are welcome. Single-investigator award budgets typically include support for one graduate student (or equivalent trainee) and up to one month of PI time per year (awards for multiple investigator projects are typically larger). Proposal budgets or durations that are much larger than typical should be discussed with the program director prior to submission. Proposers can view budget amounts and other information from recent awards made by this program via the “What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts)” link towards the bottom of this page.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF Form 1207 (Project Summary)
- NSF Form 1208 (Project Description)
- NSF Form 1210 (Biographical Sketch)
- NSF Form 1205 (Budget)
- NSF Form 1202 (Research & Related Budget Form)
- Facilities & Resources statement
- Data Management Plan
Program contact
- 👤 National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4261
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.041 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$41,946,862
-
$39,155,237
-
$38,277,956
-
$37,936,436
-
$36,940,111
-
$36,277,271
-
$36,183,087
-
$32,471,912
-
$32,414,114
-
$31,561,058
Top States by Funding
- TX 3 awards $90.6M
- CA 7 awards $85.0M
- IL 5 awards $83.9M
- AZ 2 awards $68.7M
- NC 2 awards $63.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.041). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $752,230,000 | |
| 2025 | $727,730,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $181,990,000 |
FAQ
What types of institutions can apply?
Universities, research institutes, and eligible U.S.-based research organizations can submit proposals. Contact the program director if unsure whether your institution qualifies.
Are there application deadlines?
This is a rolling program with no fixed deadline. Submissions are reviewed on a continuous basis, but check NSF's website for any upcoming target dates or panels.
What research is NOT supported by this program?
Clinical trials are not funded. Projects primarily focused on tissue engineering design, physiological mechanisms (without mechanics emphasis), or biomaterial modification alone should consider alternative NSF programs.
How competitive is this program?
NSF programs are highly competitive. Emphasize novelty, transformative potential, and clear mechanical and biological significance to strengthen your proposal.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards typically range from $5,000 to $400,000. Project duration is generally up to three years.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact the program director early if your project is unconventional or spans multiple NSF programs; this avoids desk rejection and clarifies fit.
- Clearly articulate the biological and mechanical components separately, then explain how they interact to advance understanding of living systems.
- Address why your work matters to engineering science and society; avoid purely biological or purely mechanical framing.
- Multiscale approaches are encouraged but optional; focus on scientific rigor and significance over methodological complexity.
- Review related NSF programs (EBMS, PMB, DARE, BMAT) to ensure you submit to the most appropriate program for your work.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lacking a clear mechanics or biological component get rejected; ensure both are explicit and integrated. Failing to differentiate your work from previous studies or overstating impact without evidence reduces competitiveness. Submitting primarily tissue engineering or physiological research to the wrong NSF program wastes reviewer effort and leads to rejection.
Similar grants
- ROLLING Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs — U.S. National Science Foundation
- ROLLING Cellular and Biochemical Engineering — U.S. National Science Foundation
- ROLLING Engineering Biological and Biomedical Systems (EBBS) — U.S. National Science Foundation
- ROLLING Mechanics of Materials and Structures — U.S. National Science Foundation
- ROLLING Division of Integrative Organismal Systems Core Programs — U.S. National Science Foundation