Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-06-08. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you're doing rigorous, quantitative basic research into how cells and molecules work—especially with computational or engineering angles—NSF MCB may fund you, but only if your work advances biology itself, not just human health applications.
Report stale or inaccurate summary
What this is
This is a core NSF program supporting curiosity-driven basic research in molecular and cellular biology, with particular interest in projects that integrate computational modeling, span multiple biological scales, or develop new methods and technologies. The program explicitly welcomes high-risk, potentially transformative ideas and encourages interdisciplinary approaches drawing from chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. However, research focused exclusively on human disease treatment is out of scope unless it substantially advances other fields like engineering or computer science.
Who can apply
U.S. universities, non-profits, and certain other research institutions are eligible; see NSF guidance for detailed organization type eligibility. Individuals cannot typically apply directly; applications must come through an eligible institution. Location: U.S. institutions primarily, though some international collaboration is permissible.
Eligible applicant types
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Full description — from the agency
MCB supports research that promises to uncover the fundamental properties of living systems across atomic, molecular, subcellular, and cellular scales. The program gives high priority to projects that advance mechanistic understanding of the structure, function, and evolution of molecular, subcellular, and cellular systems, especially research that aims at quantitative and predictive knowledge of complex behavior and emergent properties. MCB encourages research exploring new concepts in molecular and cellular biology, while incorporating insights and approaches from other scientific disciplines, such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics, to illuminate principles that govern life at the molecular and cellular level. MCB also encourages research that exploits experimental and theoretical approaches and utilizes a diverse spectrum of model and non-model animals, plants, and microbes across the tree of life. Proposals that pursue potentially transformative ideas are welcome, even if these entail higher risk. This solicitation calls for proposals in research areas supported by the four MCB core clusters, including: (i) structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules and supramolecular assemblies, especially under physiological conditions (Molecular Biophysics); (ii) organization, processing, expression, regulation, and evolution of genetic and epigenetic information (Genetic Mechanisms); (iii) cellular structure, properties, and function across broad spatiotemporal scales (Cellular Dynamics and Function); and (iv) systems and/or synthetic biology to study complex interactions through modeling or manipulation or design of living systems at the molecular-to-cellular scale (Systems and Synthetic Biology). All MCB clusters prioritize projects that integrate across scales, investigate molecular and cellular evolution, synergize experimental research with computational or mathematical modeling, and/or develop innovative, broadly applicable methods and technologies. Projects that bridge the intellectual edges between MCB clusters are welcome. Projects that integrate molecular and cellular biosciences with other subdisciplines of biology are also welcome through the new Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO) track. Regarding health-related challenges, NSF supports basic research in all areas of the biological sciences and recognizes that this foundational research is likely to impact many different areas, including human health. MCB celebrates all the biological science discoveries funded through MCB awards that have had major impacts on health, environment, energy, food production, and other applications. Nevertheless, research focused exclusively on understanding human diseases and their treatment is normally outside of the scope offunding and will be returned without review unless that research significantly advances other fields such as engineering, computer science, or the mathematical and physical sciences.
Topics: molecular biophysics · cellular dynamics · systems biology · genetic mechanisms · synthetic biology · fundamental biosciences
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.