Instrument Development for Biological Research

The Instrument Development for Biological Research (IDBR) Program supports the development of novel instrumentation or instrumentation that has been significantly improved by at least an order of magnitude or more in fundamental aspects. Supported instruments are expected to have a significant impact on the study of biological systems at any level. The development of new instrumentation must be firmly based in biological research need. The IDBR Program supports the development or major improvement of software for the operation of instruments only as associated with the development of the instrument. Data analysis and acquisition software are only supported to the extent that the availability of the software, in connection with new instrumentation, will clearly advance biological research. Proposals are encouraged that focus on proof-of-concept development for entirely novel instrumentation. Proposals must target instrument developments that meet a broad need in the biological community in areas supported by NSF Biology programs. Proposals are encouraged for instrumentation that does not currently exist in the form of a working prototype. In the selection of projects for funding, the program does not support the development of biological instrumentation that would be used for clinical or biomedical applications.