This grant, offered by the Department of Bioengineering, seeks proposals for pioneering research in synthetic biology and bioengineering. The primary purpose is to advance the design of synthetic cells and cell-like systems. Funded projects will focus on identifying minimal life requirements, exploring biological diversity beyond natural evolution, and developing novel biotechnology applications. Proposals must integrate discussions on social, ethical, and safety implications associated with synthetic cells. Highest priority is given to projects demonstrating outstanding intellectual merit and broader societal impacts. This opportunity aims to push the boundaries of current biological understanding and develop innovative solutions that explore life’s potential beyond its current evolutionary constraints.
Opportunity ID: 350848
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | 24-505 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Designing Synthetic Cells Beyond the Bounds of Evolution |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Science and Technology and other Research and Development |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 7 |
| Assistance Listings: | 47.041 — Engineering |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 4 |
| Posted Date: | Nov 03, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | May 24, 2025 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 01, 2024 |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 02, 2026 |
| Archive Date: | Mar 02, 2028 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $6,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $2,000,000 |
| Award Floor: | $500,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | *Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. -Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Description: | Because of recent technological advances in synthetic biology and bioengineering, researchers are now able to tailor cells and cell-like systems for a variety of basic and applied research purposes. The goal of this solicitation is to support research that (1) develops cell-like systems to identify the minimal requirements for the processes of life, (2) designs synthetically-modified cells to address fundamental questions in the evolution of life or to explore biological diversity beyond that which currently exists in nature, and (3) leverages basic research in cell design to build novel synthetic cell-like systems and cells for innovative biotechnology applications.
Highest funding priority is given to proposals that have outstanding intellectual merit and broader impacts, while proposals with weaknesses in either category (or those that are perceived as likely to have an incremental impact) will not be competitive. Proposals submitted to this solicitation should address social, ethical, and safety issues associated with designing and building synthetically modified cells as an integrated component of the project. |
| Link to Additional Information: | NSF Publication 24-505 |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov Email:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov |
Version History
| Version | Modification Description | Updated Date |
|---|---|---|
| . | May 24, 2025 | |
| . | Nov 03, 2023 | |
| . | Nov 03, 2023 | |
| Nov 03, 2023 |
DISPLAYING: Synopsis 4
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | 24-505 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Designing Synthetic Cells Beyond the Bounds of Evolution |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Science and Technology and other Research and Development |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 7 |
| Assistance Listings: | 47.041 — Engineering |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 4 |
| Posted Date: | Nov 03, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | May 24, 2025 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 01, 2024 |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 02, 2026 |
| Archive Date: | Mar 02, 2028 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $6,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $2,000,000 |
| Award Floor: | $500,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | *Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. -Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Description: | Because of recent technological advances in synthetic biology and bioengineering, researchers are now able to tailor cells and cell-like systems for a variety of basic and applied research purposes. The goal of this solicitation is to support research that (1) develops cell-like systems to identify the minimal requirements for the processes of life, (2) designs synthetically-modified cells to address fundamental questions in the evolution of life or to explore biological diversity beyond that which currently exists in nature, and (3) leverages basic research in cell design to build novel synthetic cell-like systems and cells for innovative biotechnology applications.
Highest funding priority is given to proposals that have outstanding intellectual merit and broader impacts, while proposals with weaknesses in either category (or those that are perceived as likely to have an incremental impact) will not be competitive. Proposals submitted to this solicitation should address social, ethical, and safety issues associated with designing and building synthetically modified cells as an integrated component of the project. |
| Link to Additional Information: | NSF Publication 24-505 |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov Email:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov |
DISPLAYING: Synopsis 3
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | 24-505 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Designing Synthetic Cells Beyond the Bounds of Evolution |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Science and Technology and other Research and Development |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 7 |
| Assistance Listings: | 47.041 — Engineering |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 3 |
| Posted Date: | Nov 03, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | Feb 24, 2024 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | – |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 02, 2026 |
| Archive Date: | Mar 02, 2028 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $6,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $2,000,000 |
| Award Floor: | $500,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | *Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. -Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Description: | Because of recent technological advances in synthetic biology and bioengineering, researchers are now able to tailor cells and cell-like systems for a variety of basic and applied research purposes. The goal of this solicitation is to support research that (1) develops cell-like systems to identify the minimal requirements for the processes of life, (2) designs synthetically-modified cells to address fundamental questions in the evolution of life or to explore biological diversity beyond that which currently exists in nature, and (3) leverages basic research in cell design to build novel synthetic cell-like systems and cells for innovative biotechnology applications.
Highest funding priority is given to proposals that have outstanding intellectual merit and broader impacts, while proposals with weaknesses in either category (or those that are perceived as likely to have an incremental impact) will not be competitive. Proposals submitted to this solicitation should address social, ethical, and safety issues associated with designing and building synthetically modified cells as an integrated component of the project. |
| Link to Additional Information: | NSF Publication 24-505 |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov Email:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov |
DISPLAYING: Synopsis 2
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | 24-505 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Designing Synthetic Cells Beyond the Bounds of Evolution |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Science and Technology and other Research and Development |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 7 |
| Assistance Listings: | 47.041 — Engineering |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 2 |
| Posted Date: | Nov 03, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | Feb 09, 2024 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | – |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 02, 2026 |
| Archive Date: | Mar 02, 2028 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $6,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $2,000,000 |
| Award Floor: | $500,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | *Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. -Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Description: | Because of recent technological advances in synthetic biology and bioengineering, researchers are now able to tailor cells and cell-like systems for a variety of basic and applied research purposes. The goal of this solicitation is to support research that (1) develops cell-like systems to identify the minimal requirements for the processes of life, (2) designs synthetically-modified cells to address fundamental questions in the evolution of life or to explore biological diversity beyond that which currently exists in nature, and (3) leverages basic research in cell design to build novel synthetic cell-like systems and cells for innovative biotechnology applications.
Highest funding priority is given to proposals that have outstanding intellectual merit and broader impacts, while proposals with weaknesses in either category (or those that are perceived as likely to have an incremental impact) will not be competitive. Proposals submitted to this solicitation should address social, ethical, and safety issues associated with designing and building synthetically modified cells as an integrated component of the project. |
| Link to Additional Information: | NSF Publication 24-505 |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov Email:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov |
DISPLAYING: Synopsis 1
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | 24-505 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Designing Synthetic Cells Beyond the Bounds of Evolution |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Science and Technology and other Research and Development |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 7 |
| Assistance Listings: | 47.041 — Engineering |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Nov 03, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | Nov 03, 2023 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | – |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 01, 2024 |
| Archive Date: | Mar 02, 2028 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $6,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $2,000,000 |
| Award Floor: | $500,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | *Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. -Tribal Governments: The governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a, et seq.) |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Description: | Because of recent technological advances in synthetic biology and bioengineering, researchers are now able to tailor cells and cell-like systems for a variety of basic and applied research purposes. The goal of this solicitation is to support research that (1) develops cell-like systems to identify the minimal requirements for the processes of life, (2) designs synthetically-modified cells to address fundamental questions in the evolution of life or to explore biological diversity beyond that which currently exists in nature, and (3) leverages basic research in cell design to build novel synthetic cell-like systems and cells for innovative biotechnology applications.
Highest funding priority is given to proposals that have outstanding intellectual merit and broader impacts, while proposals with weaknesses in either category (or those that are perceived as likely to have an incremental impact) will not be competitive. Proposals submitted to this solicitation should address social, ethical, and safety issues associated with designing and building synthetically modified cells as an integrated component of the project. |
| Link to Additional Information: | NSF Publication 24-505 |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov Email:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov |
Related Documents
There are no related documents on this grant.
Packages
| Agency Contact Information: | NSF grants.gov support grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov Email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov |
| Who Can Apply: | Organization Applicants |
| Assistance Listing Number | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PKG00283697 | Nov 03, 2023 | Feb 02, 2026 | View |
Package 1
Mandatory forms
350848 RR_SF424_5_0-5.0.pdf
350848 NSF_CoverPage_2_3-2.3.pdf
350848 NSF_KeyPersonExpanded_3_3-3.3.pdf
350848 RR_Budget_3_0-3.0.pdf
350848 PerformanceSite_4_0-4.0.pdf
350848 RR_OtherProjectInfo_1_4-1.4.pdf
Optional forms
350848 NSF_DeviationAuthorization-1.1.pdf
350848 NSF_SuggestedReviewers-1.1.pdf
350848 RR_SubawardBudget_3_0-3.0.pdf
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