Opportunity Information: Apply for 23 585
The National Science Foundation (NSF) BioFoundries program (Funding Opportunity Number 23-585) is a large-scale infrastructure grant opportunity aimed at building and operating advanced facilities that can accelerate progress in modern biology and biotechnology. The central idea is that many of today s biggest scientific and societal questions in areas like biological sciences, chemical biology, biotechnology, and bioengineering require tools and capabilities that are too complex, expensive, and multidisciplinary to sit inside a single investigator s lab. NSF is looking to fund BioFoundries that provide broad, reliable access to cutting-edge instrumentation, automated workflow pipelines, sophisticated computing and data systems, and specialized expertise so researchers can design, build, test, and scale biological systems and technologies more efficiently and reproducibly.
A BioFoundry, as described in this opportunity, is meant to function as an integrated scientific ecosystem rather than a standalone core facility. NSF emphasizes tight integration across intellectual, technical, digital, and physical infrastructure so that technology development, foundational interdisciplinary research, and workforce training reinforce each other. These facilities are expected to serve as access points where new biological technologies, standardized and automated processes, software tools, and knowledgebases are developed, refined, and shared. Importantly, they should support both in-house research programs (conducted by BioFoundry staff scientists and engineers) and external user-initiated projects, allowing outside researchers to take full advantage of the latest methods and automation. The program also highlights the need for BioFoundries to be capable of bespoke design and process scale-up in response to user needs, which ties directly to translating discoveries into practical applications for the bioeconomy and broader national and societal priorities.
NSF places strong weight on reproducibility and knowledge sharing. BioFoundries are expected to improve the reliability of life science results by promoting standardized workflows, automation, better experimental tracking, and stronger data and knowledge sharing practices. The solicitation envisions communities of practitioners who share tools, reagents, workflows, software, samples, and data, with knowledge exchange treated as a core operating principle rather than an add-on. This shared infrastructure and culture is meant to strengthen collaborations, enable researchers to work in new ways, and create new models for research and education and training that speed up discovery and development.
In terms of structure, NSF explicitly encourages applicants to draw on lessons from existing national and international biofoundries and to consider different organizational models. Proposals may be centralized (a single major facility), distributed (capabilities spread across sites), or consortium-based (multiple institutions operating as a coordinated network). Regardless of the model, each BioFoundry is expected to include a multidisciplinary mix of NSF-supported in-house research scientists, technical staff, and cyberinfrastructure experts, alongside external users and other contributors, all connected through shared platforms and practices.
The opportunity also builds in expectations around responsible and inclusive science. NSF notes the importance of safe, ethical, and equitable access to both knowledge and resulting products, and it calls for BioFoundries to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in their internal programs and external user programs. Beyond discovery, BioFoundries are also expected to help create pathways to translation, meaning they should actively support moving methods, technologies, and insights into broader use in ways that benefit society.
Administratively, this is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. The program anticipated up to about four awards, with an award ceiling of $24,000,000 per award. The original closing date listed for this specific opportunity was October 2, 2023, and the opportunity was created May 6, 2023. Eligible applicants are listed broadly as Others, with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation. The CFDA numbers span multiple NSF directorates and programs (47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, 47.084), reflecting the cross-cutting, interdisciplinary nature of BioFoundries and the expectation that they will serve a wide range of biological and bioengineering research communities.Apply for 23 585
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BioFoundries to Enable Access to Infrastructure and Resources for Advancing Modern Biology and Biotechnology" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, 47.084.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 06, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 02, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $24,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
NSF BioFoundries (Funding Opportunity Number 23-585) FAQs
1) What is the NSF BioFoundries program (23-585)?
The NSF BioFoundries program (Funding Opportunity Number 23-585) is a large-scale infrastructure funding opportunity to build and operate advanced BioFoundry facilities. These facilities are intended to accelerate progress in modern biology and biotechnology by providing shared, integrated capabilities that are typically too complex, expensive, or multidisciplinary for a single investigator lab to maintain.
2) What problem is this funding trying to solve?
The opportunity is designed around the idea that many major scientific and societal questions in biological sciences, chemical biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, and related areas require tools and capabilities that exceed what an individual lab can realistically support. NSF is looking to fund BioFoundries that lower these barriers by offering broad, reliable access to advanced instrumentation, automation, computing/data systems, and specialized expertise.
3) What is a BioFoundry in the context of this solicitation?
In this program, a BioFoundry is described as an integrated scientific ecosystem rather than a standalone core facility. NSF emphasizes tight integration across intellectual, technical, digital, and physical infrastructure so that technology development, interdisciplinary research, and workforce training reinforce each other.
4) Is a BioFoundry the same as a standard shared instrumentation core?
Not as described here. NSF specifically frames BioFoundries as more than traditional cores. They are expected to integrate multiple types of infrastructure (technical, digital/cyber, and physical) with in-house research and training, and to operate as access points where workflows, software, knowledgebases, and standardized processes are developed and shared.
5) What kinds of capabilities are BioFoundries expected to provide?
The solicitation highlights broad access to cutting-edge instrumentation, automated workflow pipelines, sophisticated computing and data systems, and specialized expertise. BioFoundries are also expected to support reproducible, efficient design-build-test-scale approaches for biological systems and technologies.
6) Who is expected to use a BioFoundry?
BioFoundries are expected to serve both internal and external communities. They should support in-house research programs conducted by BioFoundry staff scientists and engineers, while also supporting external user-initiated projects so outside researchers can access the latest methods, automation, and platforms.
7) What are “external user-initiated projects” in this program?
Based on the description provided, external user-initiated projects are projects proposed or driven by outside researchers (not BioFoundry staff) who want to leverage the BioFoundry's capabilities, workflows, automation, instrumentation, and expertise.
8) Are BioFoundries expected to do their own research, or only provide services?
The program envisions BioFoundries doing both. They should run in-house research programs (through staff scientists and engineers) and also support external user projects. This dual structure is positioned as a way to keep capabilities at the cutting edge while making them broadly accessible.
9) What does NSF mean by “integrated infrastructure” for a BioFoundry?
NSF emphasizes integration across intellectual, technical, digital, and physical infrastructure. In practical terms (as framed by the opportunity), this means aligning staff expertise, instrumentation and automation, cyberinfrastructure (computing/data systems), and shared practices so they work together as a unified platform for building, testing, and scaling biological systems.
10) What is the role of automation and standardized workflows?
Automation and standardization are central to the solicitation. BioFoundries are expected to improve the reliability of life science results by promoting standardized workflows, automation, stronger experimental tracking, and better data/knowledge sharing practices, all in support of reproducibility.
11) How does the program address reproducibility?
Reproducibility is a major emphasis. The opportunity expects BioFoundries to improve reliability by using standardized and automated processes, improving experimental tracking, and strengthening data and knowledge sharing. The intent is to make research more efficient and results more reproducible across users and projects.
12) What does NSF expect around data and knowledge sharing?
Knowledge exchange is treated as a core operating principle. The solicitation envisions communities that share tools, reagents, workflows, software, samples, and data, with sharing embedded in how the BioFoundry operates rather than handled as an optional add-on.
13) Are BioFoundries expected to develop software tools and knowledgebases?
Yes. The opportunity describes BioFoundries as places where software tools and knowledgebases are developed, refined, and shared, alongside standardized and automated processes and new biological technologies.
14) Does the program include workforce training expectations?
Yes. Workforce training is explicitly included as part of the integrated ecosystem model. NSF expects technology development, foundational interdisciplinary research, and workforce training to reinforce each other within the BioFoundry.
15) What does the solicitation say about scaling and bespoke design?
The program highlights that BioFoundries should be capable of bespoke design and process scale-up in response to user needs. This emphasis connects to helping translate discoveries into practical applications relevant to the bioeconomy and broader national and societal priorities.
16) What organizational models are allowed for a BioFoundry?
NSF encourages different organizational approaches. Proposals may be centralized (a single major facility), distributed (capabilities spread across sites), or consortium-based (multiple institutions coordinated as a network). The key requirement is that the model supports integrated, shared platforms and practices.
17) What kinds of personnel and expertise are expected in a BioFoundry?
Each BioFoundry is expected to include a multidisciplinary mix of NSF-supported in-house research scientists, technical staff, and cyberinfrastructure experts, working alongside external users and other contributors through shared platforms and practices.
18) Does NSF encourage learning from existing BioFoundries?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly encourages applicants to draw on lessons from existing national and international biofoundries when designing their proposed facilities and operations.
19) What does “responsible and inclusive science” mean in this opportunity?
NSF notes the importance of safe, ethical, and equitable access to both knowledge and resulting products. The solicitation also calls for BioFoundries to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in internal programs and external user programs.
20) How does the program connect to translation and broader societal impact?
Beyond discovery, BioFoundries are expected to help create pathways to translation. This means supporting movement of methods, technologies, and insights into broader use in ways that benefit society, including relevance to the bioeconomy and national and societal priorities.
21) How many awards does NSF anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipated up to about four awards.
22) What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $24,000,000 per award.
23) What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed for this specific opportunity was October 2, 2023.
24) When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created May 6, 2023.
25) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are listed broadly as “Others,” with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation.
26) What category of funding opportunity is this?
It is described as a discretionary NSF grant opportunity in the “Science and Technology and other Research and Development” category.
27) Why are there multiple CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA numbers span multiple NSF directorates and programs (47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, 47.084). This reflects the cross-cutting, interdisciplinary nature of BioFoundries and the expectation that they will serve a wide range of biological and bioengineering research communities.
28) What research areas does the program aim to support?
The opportunity is framed to support modern biology and biotechnology broadly, including areas like biological sciences, chemical biology, biotechnology, and bioengineering, among other interdisciplinary communities that rely on advanced tools, automation, and integrated infrastructure.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth)
Previous opportunity: Fiscal Year 2023 Community Assistance Program-State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) Region 3
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 23 585
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (23 585) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Apply for 23 586 Funding Number: 23 586 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,250,000 |
| Surfing Securely Apply for PAS KTM NOFO 23 04 Funding Number: PAS KTM NOFO 23 04 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Nepal Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Community Living and Participation Among Transition Age Youth with Serious Mental Health Conditions From Disadvantaged, Vulnerable, or Marginalized Backgrounds Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR RTCP 0050 Funding Number: HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR RTCP 0050 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $875,000 |
| Invasive Species & Post Fire Rehab at Travis AFB, CA Apply for W9126G 23 2 SOI 2164 Funding Number: W9126G 23 2 SOI 2164 Agency: Department of Defense, Fort Worth District Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $196,500 |
| DoD Hearing Restoration, Focused Research Award Apply for HT9425 23 HRRP FRA Funding Number: HT9425 23 HRRP FRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Vision Clinical Trial Award Apply for HT9425 23 VRP CTA Funding Number: HT9425 23 VRP CTA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Vision Focused Translational Team Science Award Apply for HT9425 23 VRP FTTSA Funding Number: HT9425 23 VRP FTTSA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Vision Mentored Clinical Research Award Apply for HT9425 23 VRP MCRA Funding Number: HT9425 23 VRP MCRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Vision Translational Research Award Apply for HT9425 23 VRP TRA Funding Number: HT9425 23 VRP TRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Vision Investigator-Initiated Research Award Apply for HT9425 23 VRP IIRA Funding Number: HT9425 23 VRP IIRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Promoting Positive Employment Outcomes Among People with Disabilities who are Experiencing Long-COVID Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR DPEM 0000 Funding Number: HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR DPEM 0000 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Community Infrastructure for Research in Computer and Information Science and Engineering Apply for 23 589 Funding Number: 23 589 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| NSF Convergence Accelerator Phases 1 and 2 for the 2023 Cohort - Tracks K, L, M Apply for 23 590 Funding Number: 23 590 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Natural Resources Support at Edwards AFB, CA. Apply for W9126G 23 2 SOI 3119 Funding Number: W9126G 23 2 SOI 3119 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,023,100 |
| Integrating long term datasets with next generation ecological models to quantify ecological response in aquatic systems Apply for W81EWF 23 SOI 0015 Funding Number: W81EWF 23 SOI 0015 Agency: Department of Defense, Engineer Research and Development Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| MANAGEMENT OF INVASIVE CATTAIL AND MESQUITE FOR NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE, LAUGHLIN AFB, TX Apply for W9126G 23 2 SOI 2619 Funding Number: W9126G 23 2 SOI 2619 Agency: Department of Defense, Fort Worth District Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $199,000 |
| Economics Apply for PD 23 1320 Funding Number: PD 23 1320 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Expanding TRIPODS through Partnerships Apply for 23 591 Funding Number: 23 591 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research to Continue Investigation of Hydrometeorological Prediction and the Application of Using Quantitative Precipitation Forecast Capabilities to Inform Reservoir Operations Apply for W81EWF 23 SOI 0013 Funding Number: W81EWF 23 SOI 0013 Agency: Department of Defense, Engineer Research and Development Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| DoD Combat Readiness - Translational Research Award Apply for HT9425 23 S CRRP Funding Number: HT9425 23 S CRRP Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA 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
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
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.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "23 585", 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.