Engineering Biological and Biomedical Systems (EBBS)

Key facts

Funder

U.S. National Science Foundation

Application deadline

Rolling / not published

Award range

Award amount not published

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are published in the funding opportunity announcement.

Geography

United States

Focus areas

Research

Opportunity number

PD-26-369Y

Program overview

The Engineering Biological and Biomedical Systems (EBBS) program expands our understanding of biological and physiological systems, and it helps improve human health. For U.S. leadership in biotechnology, the engineering of biology is required at every scale. Engineering is needed for sensing biomarkers to making proteins to restoring functions of the body. In EBBS, fundamental mechanistic insights are combined with experimental and computational techniques. This approach helps develop platforms, devices, organisms, tissues, and processes that bring new understanding and control of biological functions. EBBS supports studies of mechanisms that drive the behavior of microbial populations and cells, and of therapeutic cells and tissues. This includes discovering the underlying engineering principles that are needed to capture the responses of biological systems and bioreactors. It also includes the creation of novel biosensing platforms and new optical imaging and modulation strategies. Research that enables the design of biological systems to sense and respond to novel stimuli is welcome. Similarly, projects leading to insight into tissue changes or injury, and to systems that imitate or restore the functions of tissues or organs are encouraged. Projects that advance rehabilitation engineering through new theories and approaches are supported by the EBBS program. Fundamental engineering research driven by the needs of persons with disabilities is encouraged. The EBBS program expands what is possible in biomanufacturing; research may advance biotechnology and/or health. EBBS research must enable improved biological processes, create novel biomedical technologies, or achieve new understanding of physiological or pathological processes. EBBS does not support proposals with a main goal of drug design, drug delivery, or the development of animal models of disease. Using existing models for experimental testing and validation is acceptable. Projects that focus on testing and validating therapies are not supported. Clinical trials are not supported. Limited studies involving human volunteers may be supported if appropriate to the project objectives. Projects focused on commercialization are more appropriate for the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP). Partnerships: To speed discovery and innovation, NSF partners with federal agencies, industry, international groups, and others. Current opportunities are at NSF ENG Partnerships.

How to apply

1. Confirm your organization meets the eligibility criteria above.
2. Read the full funding opportunity announcement from U.S. National Science Foundation.
3. Draft your narrative against the funder's stated priorities and review criteria.
4. Submit before Rolling / not published, allowing time for registration and validation.

View the official funding announcement

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