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Improvements to Biological Research Collections (BRC) - FAQ

What is the NSF Improvements to Biological Research Collections (BRC) program?

The NSF Improvements to Biological Research Collections (BRC) program is a grant opportunity intended to strengthen and modernize established biological and natural history research collections. The goal is to keep collections dependable, well managed, and easier for the broader scientific community to use for research, teaching, and long-term stewardship.

What kinds of improvements does BRC fund?

BRC supports practical, lasting improvements that help collections remain secure, accurately documented, and efficiently accessible. Examples described in the opportunity include projects that computerize specimen-related data (such as digitizing catalog records, georeferencing locality information, attaching high-quality images, and standardizing metadata), strengthen collection infrastructure, and upgrade systems that support secure storage and responsible access.

Does the program focus on digitization and data sharing?

Yes. A major emphasis is improving how information about specimens is captured and shared, including digitization activities and making collections more connected and interoperable. The intent is to help researchers discover and use specimens and associated data across institutions rather than being limited to a single museum, herbarium, or laboratory.

What does "interoperable" mean in the context of this program?

In this program, interoperability refers to making collections and their specimen data more connected and compatible across institutions so that researchers can discover, access, and use specimens and associated information across multiple collections rather than only within one local system.

Are collaborative proposals encouraged?

Yes. The opportunity specifically encourages collaborative proposals that network collections on regional and continental scales, reflecting NSF's goal of building broader, more unified research resources rather than isolated improvements.

Does BRC support training, workshops, or community activities?

Yes. The program supports efforts to develop and spread better methods for specimen curation and collection management, including community-building activities such as symposia and workshops that train staff, harmonize best practices, and coordinate standards.

What types of collections are eligible for support?

The eligible collections are broad as long as they document biological diversity and serve the research community. The opportunity includes traditional natural history specimens (such as plants, animals, fossils, and associated vouchers) and jointly curated biological materials like preserved tissues and other physical samples.

Are DNA libraries and digital images considered part of eligible collections?

Yes. The opportunity recognizes modern collection components such as DNA libraries and digital images as valuable research assets when they are managed as part of a curated collection.

What scientific areas can benefit from improvements funded by BRC?

By improving collections and associated data systems, the program is positioned to enable research across many areas of the biological sciences. The opportunity lists examples including taxonomy, ecology, evolution, conservation, biogeography, and emerging fields that rely on well-documented physical samples and trustworthy records.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is oriented toward U.S.-based organizations that maintain research collections. The listing includes colleges and universities with research collections, natural history museums and herbaria, and other collections administered by independent organizations or by state, county, or local governments.

Are nonprofit research organizations and field stations eligible?

Yes. The opportunity includes non-federal and non-profit research organizations that maintain collections and field stations.

Are specialized institutions like marine labs, botanical gardens, zoos, or aquaria eligible?

Yes. The eligibility description includes specialized institutions such as marine laboratories, botanical gardens, zoological parks, and aquaria that maintain research collections documenting biodiversity.

Does organization size affect eligibility?

No. The listing states that organization size is explicitly not a factor in eligibility, indicating that both large institutions and smaller regional collections can compete if they can demonstrate the value of their holdings and the impact of the proposed improvements.

Is this a mandatory or discretionary grant program?

The listing describes BRC as a discretionary NSF grant program.

What is the CFDA number and program area for this opportunity?

The listing places the program in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category and identifies it under CFDA 47.074 (Biological Sciences).

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number provided is 09-548.

How much funding was anticipated and how many awards were expected?

For the posted cycle described, NSF anticipated about 15 awards with an estimated total funding level of $6,000,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing states that the program did not require cost sharing or matching.

When was the proposal due date?

The original full proposal target date listed was July 24, 2009 (the fourth Friday in July, annually thereafter). The record also indicates the opportunity is archived, so applicants should consult NSF for any current solicitation.

Is this opportunity currently open?

The record indicates the opportunity is archived. Applicants are directed to look to the NSF website for any replacement or newly published solicitation.

Where can applicants find the full announcement?

The listing points applicants to NSF Publication 09-548 for the full announcement.

Who should be contacted for technical issues with electronic submission?

The listing indicates that technical access issues should be directed to NSF's Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.