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NSF Biomedical Engineering (BME) Program (PD 13-5345) - FAQs

1) What is this NSF Biomedical Engineering (BME) program funding?

The NSF BME program (Funding Opportunity Number PD 13-5345) funds fundamental, discovery-level research that tightly integrates engineering and the life sciences to tackle biomedical problems with long-term benefit to society. The emphasis is on foundational research that can enable future medical applications, not near-term clinical work.

2) What kinds of projects are a strong fit for this program?

Strong-fit projects sit squarely at the engineering-life science interface and are framed as genuinely new or potentially transformative. Competitive proposals advance core engineering knowledge while also producing meaningful advances in biological understanding, rather than using one field as a simple service to the other.

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

No. The program does not support clinical studies. Proposals should avoid clinical trial-like aims and instead focus on underlying principles, enabling technologies, and broadly applicable biomedical engineering foundations.

4) What are the main research themes in this BME program?

The program centers on two main themes: Neural Engineering and Cellular Biomechanics.

5) What topics are included under Neural Engineering?

Neural Engineering includes areas such as brain science, computational neuroscience, brain-computer interfaces, neurotechnology, and cognitive engineering.

6) What topics are included under Cellular Biomechanics?

Cellular Biomechanics focuses on how motion, deformation, and mechanical forces operate in biological systems and how those forces influence cell behavior. Examples include growth, differentiation, movement, signaling, transport, adhesion, cytoskeletal dynamics, and interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix.

7) Are stem cell topics relevant to this solicitation?

Yes, within the Cellular Biomechanics theme, the program highlights genetically engineered stem cell differentiation with long-term potential that could influence tissue repair and regenerative medicine.

8) Can proposals outside the two main themes still be considered?

Yes. The solicitation notes that highly innovative proposals outside the exact Neural Engineering and Cellular Biomechanics areas may still be considered. However, applicants are encouraged to discuss fit with the Program Director in advance to reduce the risk of a proposal being returned without review.

9) What kinds of outcomes does NSF expect from BME proposals?

NSF expects BME proposals to emphasize high-impact methods, models, and tools that improve how living systems are understood and controlled. Competitive projects often propose fundamental improvements in how information is derived from cells, tissues, organs, or organ systems; new approaches to designing structures and materials that could eventually be used medically; or new technology directions that could reduce health care costs over the long run.

10) How important is novelty or transformative potential?

It is central. Proposals must directly address novelty and/or potential for transformative impact, and NSF expects this to be stated at least in the Project Summary (not buried elsewhere in the narrative).

11) What does NSF mean by multidisciplinary integration in this program?

The program expects genuine integration of engineering with relevant scientific fields. Proposals should show how the work advances both domains rather than applying one to the other in a superficial way.

12) Are there special Project Summary requirements for unsolicited and CAREER proposals?

Yes. For unsolicited and CAREER proposals, the PI must list the applicable BME theme(s) (Neural Engineering and/or Cellular Biomechanics) on the last line of the Project Summary page.

13) What happens if a proposal asks for a much larger budget than typical?

Requests substantially above typical levels may be returned without review unless the PI has consulted the Program Director ahead of time.

14) What are the typical award sizes for unsolicited projects?

Typical annual award sizes are about $100,000 per year (including indirect costs) for single-investigator projects and about $200,000 per year for multi-investigator projects. Actual budgets depend on duration and scope.

15) How long are unsolicited awards typically funded?

Unsolicited awards are generally supported for one to three years.

16) Does the program support small equipment proposals?

Yes. The program will consider small equipment proposals under $100,000, submitted during the annual submission window.

17) Are CAREER proposals allowed or encouraged?

Yes. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged. These are five-year awards, with Engineering CAREER deadlines typically occurring in July each year.

18) Are conference or workshop proposals allowed?

Yes. The program allows for conference and workshop proposals, ideally submitted during the normal submission window.

19) Are supplements supported under this opportunity?

Yes. The program allows for supplement proposals, ideally submitted during the normal submission window.

20) Can applicants submit RAPID or EAGER proposals?

The program may consider RAPID and EAGER proposals when appropriate, but those mechanisms require prior discussion with the Program Director.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any applicant type may apply as long as they meet NSF’s general requirements and the program’s scope.

22) Is cost sharing required?

No cost sharing requirement is stated for this opportunity.

23) What is the CFDA number and how is this opportunity categorized?

This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary NSF grant under CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants).

24) When should proposals be submitted?

Timing is critical. Unsolicited proposals submitted outside the announced submission window dates will be returned without review, so proposals must be submitted within the specified window.

25) How does NSF make final funding decisions for BME proposals?

Final funding decisions consider more than reviewer scores alone. NSF may consider portfolio balance across subfields, availability of funds, overlap with other funding sources, and broader NSF priorities.

26) What is the estimated overall funding level and number of awards?

The archived announcement lists an estimated total funding level of $10.4 million and an expected number of awards around 65.

27) Are there award amount ranges in the source listing?

Yes. The source record notes award amount ranges (including award floor and ceiling values), though typical annual budgets are smaller and depend on project duration and scope.

28) What is a practical step to reduce the risk of being returned without review?

If the proposal is outside the core themes or the budget request is substantially above typical levels, discussing fit and expectations with the Program Director in advance is encouraged to reduce the risk of return without review.