PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To promote the progress of the biological sciences and thereby strengthen the Nation's scientific enterprise; to increase scientific knowledge and enhance understanding of major problems confronting the Nation. Most of the research supported is basic in character. The program includes support of research project grants in the following disciplines: molecular and cellular biosciences, integrative biology and neuroscience; environmental biology; biological infrastructure; and plant genome research. Support is also provided for the purchase of multi-user scientific equipment and instrument development, and for research workshops, symposia, and conferences. In addition, awards are made to improve the quality of doctoral dissertations in environmental biology, animal behavior or ecological and evolutionary physiology; for postdoctoral fellowships in biological informatics and microbial biology; and for postdoctoral fellowships to minority scientists in all areas of research supported by the biological sciences.

ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. EDUCATION;
- Resource Development and Support - Sciences;
2. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY;
- Research - Specialized;

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- State;
- Public nonprofit institution/organization;
- Specialized group (e.g. health professionals, students, veterans);
- Private non-profit institution/organization;
- Quasi-public non-profit organization;
- Graduate Student;
- Scientist/Researcher;
- Education (13+);

WHO CAN APPLY:
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Public non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Specialized group (e.g. health professionals, students, veterans);
- Private non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Quasi-public non-profit institution/organization;