The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
The Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (BMMB) program supports fundamental research that advances understanding in engineering biomechanics and/or mechanobiology. It focuses on projects that have clear biological and mechanical components, aiming to improve our understanding of the mechanical behavior of living systems. This includes investigations at all levels, from biological molecules to entire living systems, and emphasizes the impact of in vivo mechanical forces on cell and matrix biology in various biological processes. The program encourages innovative projects that can translate biomechanical and mechanobiological discoveries into engineering science, employing theoretical, computational, experimental, or a combination of approaches. While NSF does not support clinical trials, it may back feasibility studies with human or animal subjects if relevant to the project's scientific objectives. Proposals must highlight the novelty and transformative potential of the work, its importance to engineering science, and the societal or industrial impact of successful research. The program also guides researchers towards related programs for topics like tissue engineering, physiological mechanisms, neural control, rehabilitation engineering, biomaterials, advanced manufacturing, and molecular biophysics, suggesting consultation with program directors for proper alignment. Generally, unsolicited proposal awards last up to three years, with single-investigator awards covering support for one graduate student and limited PI time, advising larger projects to discuss with a program director before submission.