Cellular and Biochemical Engineering
OpenU.S. National Science Foundation
Deadline: federal
Updated: Oct 30, 2025
Summary
The Cellular and Biochemical Engineering (CBE) program supports fundamental engineering research that enhances the understanding of cellular and biomolecular processes, aiming to develop technologies for advanced biomanufacturing in biotechnology. Eligibility is unrestricted, allowing a wide range of applicants to apply. Interested parties should submit proposals that emphasize the novelty and potential impact of their research, and it is recommended to consult with the program director prior to submission for innovative proposals outside specific interest areas.
Full Description
Description
Synopsis
TheCellular and Biochemical Engineering(CBE)program is part of theEngineering Biology and Healthcluster, which also includes: 1) theBiophotonicsprogram; 2) theBiosensingprogram; 3) theDisability and Rehabilitation Engineeringprogram; and 4) theEngineering of Biomedical Systemsprogram.
TheCellular and Biochemical Engineeringprogram supports fundamental engineering research that advances understanding of cellular andbiomolecular processes. CBE-funded research may lead to the development of enabling technology for advanced biomanufacturing of therapeutic cells, biochemicals, and biopharmaceuticals,...
and for otherbiotechnology industrie.
The program encourages highly innovative and potentially transformative engineering research leading to novel bioprocessing and biomanufacturing approaches. Fundamental to many CBE research projects is the understanding of how biomolecules, subcellular systems, cells, and cell populations interact, and how those interactions lead to changes in structure, function, and behavior. A quantitative treatment of problems related to biological processes is considered vital to successful research projects in the CBE program.
Major areas of interest for the program include:
- Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology for biomanufacturing,
- The design of synthetic metabolic components and synthetic cells,
- Microbiome structure, function, maintenance, and design,
- Protein and enzyme engineering, and
- Design of integrated chemoenzymatic systems.
Innovative proposals outside of these specific interest areas may be considered. However, prior to submission, it is recommended that the Principal Investigator contact the program director to avoid the possibility of the proposal being returned without review.
INFORMATION COMMON TO MOST CBET PROGRAMS
Proposals should address the novelty and/orpotentially transformative natureof the proposed work compared to previous work in the field. Also, it is important to address why the proposed work is important in terms of engineering science, as well as to also project the potential impact of success in the research on society and/or industry. The novelty or potentially transformative nature of the research should be included, as a minimum, in the Project Summary of each proposal.
The duration of unsolicited proposal awards in CBET is generally up to three years. Single-investigator award budgets typically include support for one graduate student (or equivalent) and up to one month of principal investigator time per year(awards for multiple investigator projects are typically larger). Proposal budgets that are much larger than typical should be discussed with the Program Director prior to submission. Proposers can view budget amounts and other information from recent awards made by this program via the “What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts)” link towards the bottom of this page.
Faculty Early Career Development(CAREER)program proposals are strongly encouraged. Award duration is five years. The submission deadline for Engineering CAREER proposals is in July every year. Learn more in theCAREER program description.
Proposals for Conferences, Workshops, and Supplements: Principal Investigators are strongly encouraged to discuss their requests with the Program Director before submission of the proposal.
Grants forRapid Response Research(RAPID)andEArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research(EAGER)are also considered when appropriate. Please note that proposals of these types must be discussed with the program director before submission.Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI)proposals that integrate fundamental research with translational results and are consistent with the application areas of interest to each program are also encouraged. Please note that RAPID, EAGER, and GOALI proposals can be submitted anytime during the year. Details about RAPID, EAGER, and GOALI are available in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide(PAPPG), Part 1, Chapter II, Section E: Types of Proposals.
Compliance: Proposals that are not compliant with theProposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)will be returned without review.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Unrestricted
Additional information
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Grantor contact information
Description
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact the email address above.
Apply on official siteUpdated Oct 30, 2025
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