Opportunity Information: Apply for PD 13 7909
Apply for PD 13 7909
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biosensing" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041 Engineering Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 10, 2013 and posted on Mar 26, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 17, 2013 Submission Window Date(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposers local time) August 15, 2013 September 18, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $7,600,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 78 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Biosensing Program (PD 13-7909) funds fundamental, engineering-centered research that creates new ways to monitor, identify, and quantify biological phenomena. The program is looking for work that is genuinely original and potentially transformative, especially research that sits at the intersection of engineering, life sciences, and information technology. A strong proposal is expected to advance both engineering science and life science knowledge, rather than using one area simply as a tool for the other. Because the core problems in biosensing typically span multiple disciplines, NSF emphasizes collaboration among engineers, life scientists, and specialists in areas such as nanotechnology, biomaterials, bioinformatics, and the chemical and physical sciences. The program also places value on education and workforce development that reflects the multidisciplinary nature of biosensing.
In terms of technical focus, NSF highlights several priority directions while still leaving room for other high-impact ideas. The program is especially interested in novel biosensing systems that are sensitive and selective (discriminative), low-cost, and straightforward to operate; new biorecognition strategies that go beyond standard antibody or affinity approaches; and multifunctional nanomaterials or engineered interfaces designed with specific physical, chemical, or biological properties that improve biosensing performance or enable new sensing modalities. Another major theme is fundamental interfacial science: studies that examine how biological macromolecules behave when confined, oriented, or immobilized at micro- and nanoscale interfaces, because these interfacial effects often govern sensor function in ways that are not yet well understood. The program also welcomes molecular sensors that can directly monitor biological interactions and communication processes, including protein-protein interactions, cell-cell signaling, and even interkingdom signaling. In addition, NSF notes that certain projects may fit jointly with the Interfacial Processing and Thermodynamics Program, particularly those centered on molecular-level surface functionalization.
Just as important as what the program supports is what it does not support. NSF explicitly discourages proposals that offer only incremental improvements to existing sensing approaches or platforms. The program is not intended to fund applied device development or product-like efforts, and it specifically excludes development of point-of-care diagnostic devices or other applied medical technologies. In other words, the emphasis is on new principles, new understanding, and foundational engineering advances that could enable future technologies, rather than building and validating near-term clinical or commercial devices.
From a practical funding standpoint, unsolicited awards are typically 1 to 3 years in duration, and the average annual award size is about $100,000 including indirect costs. Proposals seeking substantially more than this average are expected to consult the Program Director beforehand, and proposals that significantly exceed typical levels without prior discussion may be returned without review. The program will also consider small equipment requests up to $70,000, generally submitted within the annual submission window. NSF also advises investigators to contact the Program Director before submitting ideas that fall outside the specifically listed interest areas, as a way to confirm fit and reduce the risk of an out-of-scope return without review.
The broader NSF CBET expectations also apply. Proposals should clearly explain what is new relative to prior work and why the concept is potentially transformative, with that novelty stated at minimum in the Project Summary. Review and funding decisions can reflect programmatic considerations in addition to reviewer feedback, including balance across subfields, overlap with other funding sources, available budget, and NSF-wide priorities. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged under this program; they are five-year awards, with Engineering CAREER submissions typically due in July. NSF may also consider RAPID and EAGER mechanisms when appropriate, but those require prior discussion with the Program Director. Finally, proposals must be submitted within the announced submission window; unsolicited proposals submitted outside the window are returned without review.
Key opportunity details from the announcement include: agency NSF; funding instrument grants; activity category science and technology research and development; CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants); no cost sharing required; estimated total funding of $7.6 million with an expected 78 awards; eligibility listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type, subject to any clarification in the full text); and historical submission windows that ran mid-August through mid-September (due by 5 p.m. local time).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Biosensing Program (PD 13-7909)
What is the NSF Biosensing Program (PD 13-7909)?
The NSF Biosensing Program supports fundamental, engineering-centered research that creates new ways to monitor, identify, and quantify biological phenomena. It emphasizes genuinely original, potentially transformative ideas, especially those at the intersection of engineering, life sciences, and information technology.
What kinds of projects are a strong fit for this program?
Projects that advance both engineering science and life science knowledge are a strong fit. NSF expects proposals to contribute new understanding in both areas, rather than using one discipline merely as a tool to serve the other.
Does NSF encourage multidisciplinary collaboration for biosensing proposals?
Yes. Because biosensing problems often span multiple disciplines, NSF emphasizes collaboration among engineers, life scientists, and specialists such as those in nanotechnology, biomaterials, bioinformatics, and the chemical and physical sciences.
What technical directions does the program highlight as priorities?
The program highlights several priority directions while leaving room for other high-impact ideas, including:
- Novel biosensing systems that are sensitive and selective (discriminative), low-cost, and straightforward to operate
- New biorecognition strategies beyond standard antibody or affinity approaches
- Multifunctional nanomaterials or engineered interfaces with tailored physical, chemical, or biological properties that improve biosensing or enable new sensing modalities
- Fundamental interfacial science (how biological macromolecules behave when confined, oriented, or immobilized at micro- and nanoscale interfaces)
- Molecular sensors that directly monitor biological interactions and communication processes (for example, protein-protein interactions, cell-cell signaling, and interkingdom signaling)
Is there room for ideas that are not explicitly listed in the priority directions?
Yes. NSF notes that it still leaves room for other high-impact ideas. However, investigators are advised to contact the Program Director before submitting ideas that fall outside specifically listed interest areas to confirm fit and reduce the risk of an out-of-scope return without review.
What is meant by “fundamental interfacial science” in the context of biosensing?
It refers to studies examining how biological macromolecules behave when they are confined, oriented, or immobilized at micro- and nanoscale interfaces. NSF highlights this because interfacial effects can govern sensor function in ways that are not yet well understood.
What types of biorecognition approaches are of interest?
The program is especially interested in new biorecognition strategies that go beyond standard antibody or affinity approaches.
Are nanomaterials and engineered interfaces relevant to this program?
Yes. NSF specifically calls out multifunctional nanomaterials and engineered interfaces designed with specific properties (physical, chemical, or biological) that improve biosensing performance or enable new sensing modalities.
Are molecular sensors for biological communication and signaling in scope?
Yes. NSF welcomes molecular sensors that can directly monitor biological interactions and communication processes, including protein-protein interactions, cell-cell signaling, and interkingdom signaling.
Are there related NSF programs that may overlap with some biosensing projects?
NSF notes that certain projects may fit jointly with the Interfacial Processing and Thermodynamics Program, particularly projects centered on molecular-level surface functionalization.
What does NSF mean by “genuinely original” or “potentially transformative” in this program?
NSF expects proposals to clearly explain what is new relative to prior work and why the concept is potentially transformative. The novelty should be stated at minimum in the Project Summary.
What types of projects are discouraged or out of scope?
NSF explicitly discourages proposals that offer only incremental improvements to existing sensing approaches or platforms. The program is not intended to fund applied device development or product-like efforts.
Does this program fund point-of-care diagnostic devices?
No. The program specifically excludes development of point-of-care diagnostic devices and other applied medical technologies.
If my work is device-focused, can it still be a fit?
The emphasis is on new principles, new understanding, and foundational engineering advances that could enable future technologies. Applied device development and product-like efforts are not the intent of this program, and point-of-care diagnostics are specifically excluded.
What is the typical award duration for unsolicited awards?
Unsolicited awards are typically 1 to 3 years in duration.
What is the typical award size?
The average annual award size is about $100,000, including indirect costs.
What if my budget request is substantially higher than the typical award size?
Proposals seeking substantially more than the average annual award size are expected to consult the Program Director beforehand. Proposals that significantly exceed typical levels without prior discussion may be returned without review.
Is equipment funding allowed under this program?
Yes. The program will consider small equipment requests up to $70,000, generally submitted within the annual submission window.
Is cost sharing required for this opportunity?
No. The opportunity states that no cost sharing is required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any clarification in the full text of the opportunity.
What agency and funding instrument apply to this opportunity?
The agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the funding instrument is grants.
What is the activity category for this funding?
The activity category is science and technology research and development.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA is 47.041 (Engineering Grants).
How much total funding is expected, and how many awards are anticipated?
The announcement lists an estimated total funding of $7.6 million, with an expected 78 awards.
When are proposals typically due?
Historical submission windows ran from mid-August through mid-September, with proposals due by 5 p.m. local time.
Can I submit an unsolicited proposal outside the submission window?
No. Proposals must be submitted within the announced submission window. Unsolicited proposals submitted outside the window are returned without review.
Should I contact the Program Director before submitting?
NSF advises contacting the Program Director in several situations, including when your idea falls outside the listed interest areas, when requesting a substantially larger budget than typical, and when considering certain proposal mechanisms that require prior discussion.
How do review and funding decisions get made for this program?
Review and funding decisions can reflect programmatic considerations in addition to reviewer feedback. NSF notes that these can include balance across subfields, overlap with other funding sources, available budget, and NSF-wide priorities.
Are CAREER proposals encouraged under the Biosensing Program?
Yes. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged under this program. CAREER awards are five-year awards, and Engineering CAREER submissions are typically due in July.
Does the program consider RAPID or EAGER proposals?
NSF may consider RAPID and EAGER mechanisms when appropriate, but these require prior discussion with the Program Director.
Does the program value education and workforce development components?
Yes. The program places value on education and workforce development that reflects the multidisciplinary nature of biosensing.
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