Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and institutions seeking to develop innovative infrastructure for biological research. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, including colleges, universities, and research-focused nonprofit organizations. Applicants must be U.S. based institutions and have capacity to conduct or support research activities. The program supports infrastructure projects that enable new biological research capabilities or improve existing research environments. Projects may focus on equipment, facilities, or digital research infrastructure that advance the biological sciences.
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Program description
The Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research Program (Innovation) supports research to design novel or greatly improved research tools and methods that advance contemporary biology in any research area supported by the Directorate forBiological Sciences at NSF. The Innovation Program focuses on research infrastructure that is broadly applicable to researchers in three programmatic areas: Bioinformatics, Instrumentation, and Research Methods. Infrastructure supported by this program is expected to advance biological understanding by improving scientists’ abilities to manipulate, control, analyze, or measure critical aspects of biological systems, which can be essential for addressing important fundamental research questions. Proposals submitted to these programmatic areas can do one of three things to advance or transform research in biology: develop novel infrastructure, significantly redesign existing infrastructure, or adapt existing infrastructure in novel ways. Projects are expected to have a significant application to one or more biological science questions and have the potential to be used by a community of researchers beyond a single research team.
Please refer to the descriptions of individual programmatic areas for detailed guidance on what is supported through this solicitation (see links below).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG compliance documents (SF-424, SF-424 R/S)
- Project Narrative (research and infrastructure plan)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Support Letter
- CV/Biographical Sketches of key personnel
- Letters of commitment from collaborating institutions (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.074 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$401,043,378
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$268,297,107
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$66,886,066
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$59,000,000
-
$46,262,435
-
$39,723,283
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$39,454,013
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$31,000,000
-
$24,500,000
-
$22,800,000
Top States by Funding
- OH 2 awards $413.5M
- CO 3 awards $295.1M
- NY 4 awards $119.3M
- CA 9 awards $96.9M
- AZ 3 awards $91.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.074). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $813,390,000 | |
| 2025 | $789,240,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $221,290,000 |
FAQ
What types of organizations can apply?
Academic institutions, universities, colleges, and research-focused nonprofits can typically apply. Your institution must be U.S. based and have research capacity.
Are there minimum or maximum funding amounts?
NSF research infrastructure grants vary widely in scope. Review the specific solicitation for typical funding ranges and project budget limits.
What counts as eligible biological research infrastructure?
Eligible projects typically include research facilities, specialized equipment, digital infrastructure, and systems that enable new research capabilities.
How competitive is this grant?
NSF grants are highly competitive. Expect significant competition from established research institutions. Strong institutional support and clear research impact are essential.
When should I apply?
This program uses rolling deadlines. Submit well before any target deadline to allow review time. Check the NSF website for specific submission windows.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review NSF's PAPPG (Proposal Preparation Guide) carefully for current requirements and formatting rules.
- Clearly demonstrate how your infrastructure will enable new research or significantly improve existing capabilities.
- Include strong letters of institutional commitment showing financial and administrative support.
- Provide detailed cost justification for all equipment and facility expenses.
- Connect your infrastructure project to broader research goals and NSF strategic priorities in biological sciences.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack clear connection between infrastructure and specific research outcomes. Applicants underestimate review timelines and submit incomplete institutional support documentation. Budgets fail to justify costs or include unallowable expenses.
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