Biomolecular Dynamics, Structure, and Function | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NSF "Biomolecular Dynamics, Structure, and Function" opportunity?

This National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity, titled "Biomolecular Dynamics, Structure, and Function" (Funding Opportunity Number PD 11-1144), supports fundamental, discovery-driven research in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. It focuses on uncovering broadly applicable principles that connect biomolecular structure, dynamics, interactions, and biological function.

What kinds of research questions does the program emphasize?

The program emphasizes research that goes beyond descriptive biology and instead explains how biological macromolecules are built, how they move, how they interact, and how those behaviors produce function. Proposals are expected to target important gaps in current understanding and pursue imaginative, rigorous approaches that can plausibly lead to high-impact breakthroughs.

What is the core scientific focus of this program?

The core focus is the relationship between the structure, function, and dynamics of biomolecules, especially at the level of individual macromolecules and their complexes. The program is interested in conformational landscapes, time-dependent behavior, transient states, rare events, binding and allostery, and mechanistic explanations for function.

Are single-molecule approaches relevant or encouraged?

Yes. The program notes particular interest in single-molecule methods where they can reveal heterogeneity, transient states, or rare events that ensemble measurements may miss.

What experimental methods are explicitly highlighted in the solicitation?

The solicitation points to experimental platforms commonly used to resolve structure and dynamics, including NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, EPR spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy.

Is computational and theoretical work part of the program scope?

Yes. The program is aligned with research that uses modeling and quantitative frameworks to explain or predict experimental observables, test mechanistic hypotheses, or generalize findings into principles that apply across systems.

Does the program prefer integrated projects or separate theory/experiment components?

A central theme is integration. Competitive proposals typically combine theory, computation, and experimental approaches in a coordinated way, rather than presenting them as separate or loosely connected components.

Is multidisciplinary research encouraged?

Yes. The program strongly encourages multidisciplinary work at the interfaces of biology with physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering.

Can proposals include technology development or instrumentation?

Yes, technology development is welcomed when it is tightly coupled to significant biological or biophysical questions that fit the program. New algorithms, statistical or physical models, instrumentation, or measurement strategies are viewed as most compelling when they enable access to previously inaccessible regimes of structure, motion, interactions, or mechanism.

Are purely methods-driven proposals appropriate?

The program indicates that proposals are not as compelling when they are primarily methods-driven without a clear scientific payoff tied to significant biological or biophysical questions within the program scope.

What research topics are listed as especially high priority?

The solicitation highlights three topic areas as especially high priority: (1) structure and dynamics of biomolecules, (2) biomolecular interactions and mechanisms, and (3) energy transduction, including photosynthesis and biological electron transfer.

Does the program fund research on energy transduction and electron transfer?

Yes. Energy transduction is an explicitly highlighted priority area, including photosynthesis and biological electron transfer, signaling interest in the physical basis of biological energy capture and conversion.

Is research motivated by human disease or health outcomes allowed?

No. Proposals motivated primarily by human disease relevance or health outcomes are not considered appropriate for this NSF division and will be returned without review, as stated in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide. Applicants need to frame the work as fundamental science in molecular biophysics/biochemistry rather than biomedical research.

What if the biomolecule studied has medical relevance?

Medical relevance alone is not the deciding factor. The key issue is the primary motivation and how the research questions are posed. Proposals must be framed as fundamental research in molecular biophysics/biochemistry, even if the system has medical relevance.

What is the funding category and CFDA listing for this opportunity?

This is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. It is associated with CFDA 47.074 (Biological Sciences).

How many awards and how much total funding are anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated about 70 awards with an estimated total funding level of $14,000,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals can be submitted by any type of entity that meets NSF requirements, subject to any additional eligibility details provided in the full program text.

What are the key proposal deadlines mentioned?

Key dates listed include an original closing date of January 12, 2011; additional full proposal deadlines of January 12, 2011 and July 12, 2011; and a current closing date shown as September 6, 2011.

Where are applications submitted, and which solicitation governs submission?

Applications are routed through NSF per solicitation NSF 11-545.

Who should applicants contact for access or submission issues?

For access or submission issues, applicants are directed to NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

What makes a proposal competitive under this program?

Based on the program description, competitive proposals typically (a) identify important gaps in understanding, (b) propose imaginative and rigorous approaches to close those gaps, and (c) integrate experimental, computational, and theoretical components in a coordinated way aimed at generalizable principles rather than system-specific description.