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NSF Biomedical Engineering (BME) Program: FAQs

1) What is the NSF Biomedical Engineering (BME) program trying to fund?

The NSF BME program funds discovery-level, potentially transformative research at the interface of engineering and the life sciences. The goal is to help investigators turn novel concepts into high-impact methods and technologies that advance both fields, with a credible long-term benefit to humanity. The emphasis is on fundamental research, not near-term product development or clinical validation.

2) What kinds of projects are considered competitive under this program?

Competitive proposals are expected to go beyond incremental advances and introduce new models, tools, or approaches to understand and control living systems. Examples of the kinds of advances NSF highlights include better ways to extract information from cells through organ systems, new structures and materials intended for eventual medical use, and technology-driven approaches that could reduce health care costs over the long run.

3) Does the program support clinical studies or clinical trials?

No. The BME program does not support clinical studies. Projects framed around clinical testing, clinical validation, or clinical trials are out of scope.

4) Are drug design or drug delivery projects eligible?

No. The BME program will not fund proposals whose central theme is drug design or drug delivery.

5) Can I propose development of a biomedical device?

Only if the project includes a living biological component and is anchored in engineering innovations tightly coupled to living systems. Projects focused on developing biomedical devices that do not include a living biological component are excluded.

6) Are biomaterials or cellular biomechanics projects a fit for this program?

Biomaterials or cellular biomechanics may be included as supporting elements, but they cannot be the main thrust of the project or the key focus area. Proposals that are primarily material-centric (rather than centered on engineering innovations coupled to living systems) are not a good fit based on the provided description.

7) What are the primary research themes within the BME program?

NSF highlights two primary research themes: (1) molecular, cellular, and tissue approaches for advanced biomanufacturing, and (2) neural engineering and brain mapping.

8) What topics fall under the molecular, cellular, and tissue approaches for advanced biomanufacturing theme?

This theme includes building three-dimensional structures of biomolecules, cells, and scaffolds or matrices using bioprinting and related technologies. NSF notes applications such as fundamental cell studies, disease modeling, drug testing platforms, and longer-term tissue engineering and regenerative medicine directions. It also includes foundational work on cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, self-assembly processes, and systems integration between biological components and electromechanical assemblies.

9) Are cellular biomanufacturing topics like stem cell engineering or cellular reprogramming supported?

Yes. The program explicitly welcomes cellular biomanufacturing topics such as stem cell engineering, cellular reprogramming, and cellular immunotherapy technologies, as long as the work remains fundamental and transformative rather than centered on clinical validation.

10) What topics fall under the neural engineering and brain mapping theme?

This theme supports technologies and tools to interrogate and monitor neuronal activity across molecular, cellular, and network scales. It also encourages new experimental methods and computational approaches to study brain structure and function (particularly from subcellular to tissue levels), including how neural components interact with nearby and distant tissues.

11) Does the program support engineering approaches aimed at repairing or restoring neural function?

Yes, as fundamental research. NSF notes interest in engineering approaches that could eventually help repair, restore, or renew deteriorated, damaged, or diseased neurons and neural circuits, particularly in the central nervous system, but framed as fundamental research rather than clinical trials.

12) Can I submit a proposal that does not fall into the two named themes?

Possibly. NSF notes that innovative proposals outside the two named themes might still be considered. However, investigators are strongly urged to contact the Program Director before submitting to avoid having the proposal returned without review for poor fit.

13) Is there a required statement about program alignment in the proposal?

Yes. For unsolicited proposals and CAREER proposals, the principal investigator must state the relevant BME theme or themes on the last line of the Project Summary page.

14) What happens if my proposal is not a good fit or is noncompliant?

NSF indicates that proposals may be returned without review if they are poorly aligned with the program or if they do not comply with requirements. The description also notes that noncompliant proposals, or unsolicited proposals submitted outside the announced proposal window, may be returned without review.

15) What is the typical award duration for unsolicited awards?

Unsolicited awards are typically one to three years in duration.

16) What is the typical funding level for this program?

Typical support is about $100,000 per year. NSF notes flexibility up to about $200,000 per year for collaborative projects or efforts involving multiple investigators.

17) Can I request a budget substantially above the typical levels?

Requests substantially above the stated typical annual levels, without prior discussion with the Program Director, risk being returned without review. The program description encourages discussing significantly larger budget requests with the Program Director in advance.

18) The listing shows program-level totals and an award ceiling/floor. Do those numbers replace the typical annual award guidance?

No. The listing provides program-level numbers (including an estimated total funding amount of $10.4 million and an award ceiling and floor in the source record), but applicants are still expected to align budgets with the program’s stated typical annual award sizes and consult NSF when proposing significantly larger budgets.

19) What does NSF expect proposals to explain about novelty and impact?

Proposals are expected to clearly articulate what is novel or potentially transformative compared to the state of the art, why the work matters for engineering science, and what plausible societal and/or industrial impacts could result if the research succeeds. At minimum, the novelty or transformative potential should be stated in the Project Summary.

20) Does the program accept CAREER proposals?

Yes. NSF encourages Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) proposals under this program. The description notes that CAREER awards typically run five years, with Engineering CAREER submissions generally due in July each year.

21) Are other NSF proposal mechanisms relevant to this program?

Yes. The description notes that other NSF mechanisms may be relevant depending on the situation, including conference/workshop proposals, supplements, RAPID (rapid-response research), EAGER (early-concept exploratory research), and GOALI (industry-academia partnership proposals).

22) Do any of those mechanisms require contacting the Program Director in advance?

Yes. For several mechanisms (as noted in the provided description), NSF expects investigators to discuss plans with the Program Director before submission. In addition, investigators are strongly urged to contact the Program Director when proposing innovative work outside the two primary BME themes.

23) Are there timing constraints mentioned for GOALI submissions?

Yes. GOALI submissions must align with the annual unsolicited proposal window.

24) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted in the opportunity record, subject to any clarifications in the full announcement.

25) Is cost sharing required?

No. The opportunity record states there is no cost sharing requirement.

26) What compliance rules govern proposal preparation and submission?

NSF emphasizes compliance with the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Administrative alignment matters, including following formatting rules (such as the required theme statement for certain proposal types) and submitting within the announced proposal window for unsolicited proposals.