Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs (MCB)

The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs supports research that promises to uncover the fundamental properties of living systems across atomic, molecular, subcellular, and cellular scales. The program gives high priority to projects that advance mechanistic understanding of the structure, function, and evolution of molecular, subcellular, and cellular systems, especially research that aims at quantitative and predictive knowledge of complex behavior and emergent properties. • The program encourages research exploring new concepts in molecular and cellular biology, while incorporating insights and approaches from other scientific disciplines. • The program supports research in four core clusters: Molecular Biophysics, Genetic Mechanisms, Cellular Dynamics and Function, and Systems and Synthetic Biology. • The program welcomes proposals that pursue potentially transformative ideas, even if these entail higher risk. • The program encourages research that leverages NSF resources to facilitate integration across the biological sciences.