Biomechanics and Mechanobiology | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (PD 14 7479)

1) What is the name of this NSF funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Biomechanics and Mechanobiology" and is identified as Funding Opportunity Number PD 14 7479.

2) What kind of research does this program support?

This program supports fundamental, discovery-driven research at the intersection of mechanics and biology. The focus is on understanding how living systems generate, transmit, sense, and respond to mechanical forces.

3) What is the program trying to understand about living systems?

The program is centered on the mechanistic connections between physical forces and biological outcomes, including how forces influence cells and extracellular matrix (ECM), and how those interactions shape tissue structure and function over time.

4) Is this program more focused on basic science or clinical translation?

The opportunity emphasizes deepening basic scientific knowledge rather than focusing primarily on near-term clinical translation. Projects are expected to be rooted in rigorous engineering and physical science perspectives applied to biological questions.

5) What does "multiscale mechanics" mean in the context of this program?

The program places particular value on multiscale mechanics approaches that connect phenomena across levels such as molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ. In other words, the research should explain how mechanics at one scale relates to behavior at another.

6) What biological processes are specifically highlighted as areas of interest?

The opportunity highlights how in vivo mechanical forces influence cell behavior and ECM biology during processes such as:

• Histomorphogenesis (formation and organization of tissue structure)
• Ongoing tissue maintenance
• Tissue regeneration
• Tissue aging

7) What kinds of questions about cells and mechanical cues fit this program?

The program is interested in how cells interpret mechanical cues, how those cues influence matrix production and remodeling, and how cell-matrix interactions ultimately govern tissue-level function and structure over time.

8) What extracellular matrix (ECM) topics does the program emphasize?

A core interest area is the relationship between mechanical behavior and ECM composition and organization. The program notes examples of ECM features that may be studied in relation to mechanics, including:

• Collagen architecture
• Matrix crosslinking
• Fiber alignment
• Porosity
• Hydration
• Other structural features tied to tissue mechanical performance

9) What mechanical properties or behaviors are relevant to this solicitation?

The program description points to mechanical outcomes such as stiffness, viscoelasticity, strength, failure, adaptation, and overall functional performance, especially as they relate to ECM composition and structure.

10) What research methods are allowed or encouraged?

Funded projects may use theoretical, computational, and/or experimental methods. Proposals can focus on one method or present a tightly integrated combination of approaches.

11) What makes a submission "competitive" based on the description provided?

Competitive submissions often:

• Frame clear hypotheses or research questions
• Define measurable mechanical and biological variables
• Explain why the chosen models, scales, and methods are appropriate for answering the questions

12) What does it mean to treat tissues as "smart materials" in this program?

The opportunity encourages applicants to consider living tissues as "smart materials" that are self-designing. This framing emphasizes that tissues can adapt their structure and properties in response to their mechanical environment, and can exhibit growth, remodeling, damage repair, and functional optimization.

13) Does the program encourage research that could inspire engineering design?

Yes. The "smart materials" concept explicitly opens the door to research where biological adaptation and remodeling can inform new engineering design principles, while still remaining grounded in fundamental, discovery-driven science.

14) What type of NSF award is this?

This is an NSF discretionary grant in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category. The funding instrument is a grant.

15) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 47.041, labeled Engineering Grants.

16) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The description states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

17) What is the minimum and maximum award size listed?

The opportunity lists an award floor of $5,000 and an award ceiling of $400,000. This indicates that support can range from small awards to moderate-sized research projects depending on scope and program fit.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open broadly to applicant types), subject to any additional clarifications in the full program text.

19) When are proposals due?

The program follows recurring annual submission windows with due dates listed as:

• January 15 and February 15
• September 1 and October 1

Proposals are due by 5 p.m. local time for the submitting organization.

20) Where can applicants get help with Grants.gov access issues?

For access issues, NSF directs applicants to Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

21) Where can applicants find the full program details?

The opportunity references an NSF program description link labeled "NSF Program Description PD 14 7479" for the complete details, including any additional requirements or eligibility notes.

22) What do the posted/closing/archive dates mean for this opportunity record?

The record notes it was originally posted on September 10, 2013, shows a current closing date of September 15, 2015 in the provided record, and lists an archive date of October 15, 2028. The archive date generally indicates the announcement is maintained for reference even after active deadlines pass.