Opportunity Information: Apply for 26 504
Apply for 26 504
- The U.S. National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.074.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-02-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO), is offering Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) focused on work at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the biological sciences. The central idea behind this opportunity is that combining modern AI approaches with complex biological data can uncover previously unknown biological mechanisms and translate those insights into real-world biotechnology advances. NSF is explicitly aiming to grow a cohort of early-career scientists who can move comfortably between AI and biology, using cross-training to build strong depth in both areas and ultimately contribute to breakthroughs in bio-system design, biotechnology innovation, and related economic and workforce impacts.
This PRFB track emphasizes both research and training. Applicants are expected to propose a research plan that squarely fits within BIO and aligns with the solicitation theme of using AI and biology together to strengthen and safeguard biotechnology innovations. Just as important, the fellowship is meant to broaden the fellow's capabilities: candidates who come in stronger in AI or stronger in biology are expected to propose additional training that fills in the other side, so they emerge with integrated expertise rather than remaining siloed. The program frames fellows as future field leaders who will use AI to extrapolate from biological data toward technological advances, not simply apply standard tools to standard datasets.
NSF also encourages applicants to take advantage of the breadth of U.S. biological data resources and research infrastructure to speed discovery and innovation. Examples called out in the solicitation include Biofoundries, Programmable Cloud Labs, Manufacturing USA Institutes, and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). The intent is to leverage existing platforms, datasets, and national capabilities in ways that accelerate progress and produce biotechnology outcomes that improve human lives, support U.S. competitiveness, and benefit the broader economy.
In terms of how applications are submitted and how awards are made, proposals must be submitted by the individual applicant rather than by the host institution, and awards are made directly to the fellow. Each applicant must identify one or more sponsoring scientists and must be affiliated with an appropriate host institution at the time of submission. Eligible host institutions can be in the United States or abroad. In the U.S., acceptable hosts include universities and colleges, private nonprofit institutes and museums, and government agencies and laboratories; for-profit organizations may be allowed only under special conditions and require prior approval from a Program Officer. International hosts may include universities and many government or nonprofit research organizations.
Eligibility is tightly defined and proposals that do not meet the requirements are returned without review. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. permanent residents at the time of submission. They must earn a doctoral degree in an appropriate field before beginning the fellowship and must propose a BIO-relevant research plan that matches the solicitation's AI-biology focus. They must also choose sponsors and an institutional setting that meaningfully expands their research scope and training, reinforcing the fellowship's emphasis on growth into a genuinely cross-disciplinary researcher. Additional restrictions include not submitting the same research to another NSF postdoctoral fellowship program, not having more than 15 total full-time months of employment in positions requiring a doctoral degree before the deadline, and respecting submission limits: applicants cannot have applied to PRFB more than once previously, meaning a maximum of two total submissions across years regardless of outcome. By signing and submitting, applicants certify they meet all requirements, and the solicitation notes that providing false information can trigger criminal penalties under U.S. law (Title 18, Section 1001).
Key opportunity details from the posting include the agency (NSF), funding instrument (grant), activity area (science and technology research and development), CFDA number 47.074, and an original closing date of 2026-09-29. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided text.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this NSF opportunity?
This is a U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) opportunity offering Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) focused on research at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the biological sciences.
What is the main goal of the PRFB AI-biology focus described here?
The central goal is to combine modern AI approaches with complex biological data to uncover previously unknown biological mechanisms and translate those discoveries into real-world biotechnology advances. NSF is also aiming to develop a cohort of early-career scientists who can operate comfortably across both AI and biology.
How does NSF describe the intended impact of combining AI and biology?
The opportunity frames AI as a way to extrapolate from biological data toward technological advances, supporting breakthroughs in bio-system design, biotechnology innovation, and related economic and workforce impacts. The intent includes outcomes that improve human lives, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and benefit the broader economy.
Is this fellowship only about research, or does it also include training?
It explicitly emphasizes both research and training. Applicants are expected to propose a BIO-relevant research plan aligned with the AI-biology theme and also propose training that broadens their capabilities, especially cross-training to build depth on the side (AI or biology) where they are less strong.
What kind of research plan is expected?
The research plan must be relevant to NSF BIO and align with the solicitation theme of using AI together with biology to strengthen and safeguard biotechnology innovations. The fellowship is positioned for applicants who will integrate AI and biological sciences rather than remain siloed in a single discipline.
What does NSF mean by cross-training in this fellowship?
The solicitation emphasizes that fellows should emerge with integrated expertise. If an applicant comes in stronger in AI or stronger in biology, they are expected to propose additional training to build depth in the other area so they can work effectively across both fields.
Does NSF encourage use of specific national resources or infrastructure?
Yes. NSF encourages applicants to use the breadth of U.S. biological data resources and research infrastructure to speed discovery and innovation. Examples mentioned include Biofoundries, Programmable Cloud Labs, Manufacturing USA Institutes, and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).
Who submits the proposal: the institution or the individual?
Proposals must be submitted by the individual applicant, not the host institution.
Who receives the award if selected?
Awards are made directly to the fellow.
Do applicants need a host institution and sponsor(s)?
Yes. Each applicant must identify one or more sponsoring scientists and must be affiliated with an appropriate host institution at the time of submission.
Can the host institution be outside the United States?
Yes. Eligible host institutions can be in the United States or abroad.
What types of U.S. host institutions are acceptable?
In the United States, acceptable hosts include universities and colleges, private nonprofit institutes and museums, and government agencies and laboratories. For-profit organizations may be allowed only under special conditions and require prior approval from a Program Officer.
What types of international host institutions are acceptable?
International hosts may include universities and many government or nonprofit research organizations.
What citizenship or residency status is required to apply?
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. permanent residents at the time of submission.
Is a doctoral degree required?
Yes. Applicants must earn a doctoral degree in an appropriate field before beginning the fellowship.
What happens if an application does not meet eligibility requirements?
Eligibility is described as tightly defined, and proposals that do not meet the requirements are returned without review.
Can an applicant submit the same research to another NSF postdoctoral fellowship program?
No. The solicitation includes a restriction against submitting the same research to another NSF postdoctoral fellowship program.
Is there a limit on prior post-PhD employment?
Yes. Applicants must not have more than 15 total full-time months of employment in positions requiring a doctoral degree before the deadline.
Are there limits on how many times someone can apply to PRFB?
Yes. Applicants cannot have applied to PRFB more than once previously, meaning a maximum of two total submissions across years regardless of outcome.
What does the applicant certify by submitting the proposal?
By signing and submitting, applicants certify they meet all requirements. The solicitation also notes that providing false information can trigger criminal penalties under U.S. law (Title 18, Section 1001).
What agency and directorate are offering this fellowship?
The agency is the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO).
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity area listed for this opportunity?
The activity area is science and technology research and development.
What is the CFDA number provided?
The CFDA number listed is 47.074.
What is the closing date listed in the posting?
The original closing date provided is 2026-09-29.
Does the provided posting text include an award ceiling or number of awards?
No. The provided text states that an award ceiling and the expected number of awards are not included in the information shown.
Are for-profit companies allowed as host institutions?
They may be allowed only under special conditions and require prior approval from a Program Officer, according to the provided description.
Is the program specifically looking for standard AI tool applications to standard datasets?
No. The description frames fellows as future leaders who will use AI to extrapolate from biological data toward technological advances, rather than simply applying standard tools to standard datasets.
What is NSF hoping fellows will become through this program?
The program frames fellows as future field leaders with integrated AI and biology expertise who can contribute to biotechnology innovation and related national economic and workforce impacts.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Strengthen U.S.–Kazakhstan Partnerships Through Alumni-Led Innovation
Previous opportunity: Next Gen STEM (NGS) NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs (NAS_Hub)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 26 504
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (26 504) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Operation of the Secretariat of SC 37 under JTC 1 of ISO/IEC Apply for O NIJ 2025 172534 Funding Number: O NIJ 2025 172534 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Funding to Support the Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes Program Apply for O NIJ 2025 172537 Funding Number: O NIJ 2025 172537 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $523,184 |
| NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development: Social Development Sub-study (ABCD-SD) Apply for O NIJ 2025 172535 Funding Number: O NIJ 2025 172535 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,800,000 |
| NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Novel Psychoactive Substance Discovery, Education, and Reporting Institute Apply for O NIJ 2025 172538 Funding Number: O NIJ 2025 172538 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Apply for G26AS00076 Funding Number: G26AS00076 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $47,632 |
| National Quantum and Nanotechnology Infrastructure Apply for 26 505 Funding Number: 26 505 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Building EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory Partnerships Apply for DE FOA 0003615 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003615 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems Apply for 26 506 Funding Number: 26 506 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Gulf of America Region - Program Technical Advisor Apply for E26AS00081 Funding Number: E26AS00081 Agency: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program FY 2026 Apply for R25AS00210 Funding Number: R25AS00210 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $999,999 |
| Bat Surveys – Little Brown Myotis at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) Apply for W9126G262SOI8777 Funding Number: W9126G262SOI8777 Agency: Fort Worth District Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $206,025 |
| Gaviota Tarplant Genetic Analysis at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA Apply for W9126G262SOI8658 Funding Number: W9126G262SOI8658 Agency: Fort Worth District Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $522,000 |
| FY2026 Research Opportunities in Accelerator Stewardship and Accelerator Development Apply for DE FOA 0003620 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003620 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Apply for G26AS00093 Funding Number: G26AS00093 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Fueling AI Innovation and Adoption Apply for DFOP0017898 Funding Number: DFOP0017898 Agency: Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Bratislava PAS, AEIF 2026 Apply for PAS SVK FY2026 01 Funding Number: PAS SVK FY2026 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Slovakia Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI Apply for DE FOA 0003612 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003612 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Marine and Mammal Habitat Monitoring: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW) Prey – Salmon Monitoring for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) Apply for W9126G262SOI8872 Funding Number: W9126G262SOI8872 Agency: Fort Worth District Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,803,895 |
| NIJ FY25 Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women Apply for O NIJ 2025 172572 Funding Number: O NIJ 2025 172572 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,700,000 |
| National Science Foundation Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry Apply for 26 507 Funding Number: 26 507 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "26 504", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.