Molecular Foundations for Biotechnology | 24 607

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Molecular Foundations for Biotechnology (MFB) funding opportunity?

The Molecular Foundations for Biotechnology (MFB) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 24-607) is an NSF-led discretionary grant program that supports high risk, high reward research intended to unlock fundamentally new molecular-science approaches that can steer biotechnology in new directions.

Which topic or theme does this specific MFB solicitation focus on?

This solicitation centers on RNA. It seeks projects that deepen basic understanding of how RNA functions in complex biological systems and translate that understanding into new biotechnologies.

What kind of research does the program want to fund?

The program is looking for cross-disciplinary, collaborative proposals that go beyond incremental progress. Competitive projects are expected to blend disciplines (for example, chemistry, molecular biology, engineering, computation, genomics, and technology development) to create enabling concepts, tools, or platforms that change what is possible in biotechnology.

Is this opportunity focused on basic science, applied biotechnology, or both?

Both. The solicitation is positioned to support foundational RNA science (including, but not limited to, RNA regulation and modification) while encouraging applicants to connect that foundational science to practical biotechnology outcomes.

Who is coordinating and partnering on this opportunity?

The opportunity is coordinated by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

Why is RNA emphasized as strategically important in this call?

The RNA emphasis is framed as strategically important because it supports multiple national science and innovation priorities, including: advancing biotechnology innovation that supports a sustainable, safe, and secure American bioeconomy; supporting the NSF 2022-2026 Strategic Plan goal of generating new knowledge and translating it into societal solutions; aligning with NHGRI's 2020 Strategic Vision focused on improving human health at the forefront of genomics; and responding to National Academies (NASEM) recommendations calling for deeper understanding of RNA modifications and their roles in biological processes.

What is meant by "high risk, high reward" in the context of this program?

In this program, "high risk, high reward" refers to research that aims to unlock fundamentally new molecular-science approaches and enabling breakthroughs, rather than making incremental advances. The intent is to support ideas that could shift biotechnology capabilities if successful.

What types of disciplines or expertise are encouraged to be included in a proposal?

The call encourages proposals that blend multiple disciplines. Examples listed include chemistry, molecular biology, engineering, computation, genomics, and technology development, with an emphasis on cross-disciplinary and collaborative work.

What is the maximum award amount?

Awards are capped at a total of $1,500,000 for the entire project, including both direct and indirect costs.

What is the maximum project duration?

The maximum project duration is up to three years.

Do applicants need to justify the budget and timeline?

Yes. Applicants are expected to propose a budget and timeline that fit the scale and ambition of the work. The project plan should clearly justify why the requested resources and period of performance are appropriate for the proposed milestones, collaborations, and development goals.

What is the funding instrument and activity category?

The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is science and technology research and development.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations that are directly tied to education or research. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (including two-year and four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, and comparable IHEs) applying on behalf of their faculty, as well as U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar entities.

Are non-academic non-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar entities are listed as eligible applicants, as long as they are U.S.-based and directly tied to education or research.

Can a U.S. university with an international branch campus include that branch campus in the project?

It can be included, but there is a specific instruction: if any project funds would flow to an international branch campus (including through subawards or consultant arrangements), the proposal must explain why work at that location benefits the project and why the same activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.

Does the international branch campus instruction apply only to subawards?

No. The instruction explicitly includes situations where project funds would flow to an international branch campus through subawards or consultant arrangements.

What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA numbers are 47.049, 47.070, 47.074, and 93.172.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 24-607.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2024-09-14.

What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists an original closing date of 2024-12-16.

How does this solicitation relate to broader program efforts?

This is the fourth year of a broader campaign organized around rotating themes. For this year, the rotating theme highlighted in the solicitation is RNA.

What does the solicitation say it wants to produce, in practical terms?

In practical terms, the solicitation is looking for projects that create enabling concepts, tools, or platforms that expand biotechnology capabilities, while grounding those advances in a deeper understanding of RNA function in complex biological systems.

What RNA topics are explicitly included as examples?

The solicitation notes foundational RNA science including, but not limited to, RNA regulation and modification, and it highlights national interest in deeper understanding of RNA modifications and their roles in biological processes.

Is the total award cap inclusive of indirect costs?

Yes. The $1,500,000 cap is described as a total cap including both direct and indirect costs.

Does the solicitation specify that proposals must be collaborative?

Yes. It seeks cross-disciplinary, collaborative proposals, and it emphasizes blending disciplines to achieve outcomes that go beyond incremental progress.