U.S. National Science Foundation · United States

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)

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U.S. National Science Foundation expects to make awards of $220,000 each, from a total budget of $16.5 million. Applications close on 28 Sep 2027. Eligible applicant types include others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification).

Deadline: 28 Sep 2027 (in 317 days)
Grant amount: $220,000 per project
Total budget: $16.5 million
Funding rate: No mandatory cost sharing stated; funding percentage not stated
Total budget: $16.5 million
Cost sharing: Not required
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Reference: 26-504
Assistance listing: 47.074 Biological Sciences
Last checked: 13 Nov 2026

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About this call

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biological Research has the potential to pave the way for breakthroughs in biotechnology and bio-system design that will create innovations, new industries, and jobs. To capitalize on this promise, the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) will make awards for Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) to recent doctoral degree recipients, for proposals with a research and training focus at the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Biological Sciences to Strengthen and Safeguard Biotechnology Innovations. Applying AI to highly complex biological systems will reveal unknown mechanisms in the natural world that hold promise for technological developments.

Candidates with AI and/or biology experience will develop deep expertise in both by proposing additional training in both areas. These combinations of current expertise and new cross-training will produce scientists who work seamlessly at the intersection of AI and biology. The fellows are expected to become field leaders who use AI capabilities to extrapolate from biological data to technological advances.

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Proposers are encouraged to consider how to leverage the nation’s diversity of existing biological data, and biological infrastructure, such as Biofoundries, Programmable Cloud Labs, Manufacturing USA Institutes, and NEON, to accelerate discovery, innovation and the biotechnology that improves human lives, promotes the U.S. economy, and benefits the nation.

Who can apply

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:

-Proposals must be submitted by the individual, not the host institution, and awards are made directly to Fellows.

Each postdoctoral Fellow must identify a sponsoring scientist(s) and must affiliate with an appropriate U.S. or international host institution at the time of proposal submission. Appropriate U.S. organizations include institutions of higher education, private nonprofit institutes and museums, government agencies and laboratories, and, under special conditions that require prior approval from a Program Officer, for-profit organizations. Appropriate international institutions include institutions of higher education and many government or non-profit research organizations.

*Who May Serve as PI:

The PRFB awards are intended primarily for graduate students who are seeking independent support for their ﬁrst postdoctoral position, or postdoctoral Fellows early in their careers. An individual is eligible to submit a proposal if all the following criteria are met:

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Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident, i.e., have a "green card," at the time of submission.

Must present a research plan that falls within the purview of BIO and that focuses on the research area described in this solicitation.

Must earn the doctoral degree in an appropriate ﬁeld prior to beginning the fellowship.

Must select sponsoring scientists, departments, and institutions that offer a…

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Science and Technology and other Research and Development

How to apply

Apply through the funder’s official page (link below); it states the procedure, documents and deadline.

From the call text

Who can apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Company stage: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Single applicant or consortium: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where applicants must be based: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where to apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Contact

U.S. National Science Foundation · grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov · 703-292-4203

Where these facts come from

Fact	Value	How we know	Taken from the source
Deadline	28 September 2027	official data field	15 Nov 2026
Amount per applicant	Unknown — not stated in the source we hold	unknown	—
Total budget	$16.5 million	official data field	15 Nov 2026
Funding rate	No mandatory cost sharing stated; funding percentage not stated	read from the official text	15 Nov 2026
Who can apply	Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)	official data field	15 Nov 2026
Where to apply	Unknown — not stated in the source we hold	unknown	—

Official sources

Official call page · Funder's programme page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 13 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.