Directorate for Biological Sciences

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) enables discoveries for understanding life. BIO-supported research advances the frontiers of biological knowledge — at and across organizational, geographic and temporal scales — and provides a theoretical basis for prediction within complex, dynamic living systems through the integration of scientific disciplines. The directorate also supports several user facilities and centers that create or synthesize data; provide access to tools, technology and expertise; and provide educational and training opportunities. **What we support** - **Building a resilient planet:** We support research on how biology and biological systems interact with the environment to better predict and respond to change. We also support efforts to develop new crops, understand and mitigate disease, and conserve natural resources and key species. - **Advancing emerging industries:** We support research to understand and use living systems to improve lives through the creation of novel biotechnologies that advance the U.S. bioeconomy and national security. We also advance research that furthers the development of other emerging fields such as AI. - **Integrating across the biological sciences:** We support research that brings together people, methods, tools and concepts from subdisciplines within and outside biology to make substantive progress on bold questions in biology. - **Creating opportunities everywhere:** We support broadening participation in the biological sciences through focused programs, broader impacts and facilities that democratize access to knowledge and tools.