The Biophotonics program, part of the National Science Foundation's Engineering Biology and Health cluster, aims to explore research frontiers in photonics principles, engineering, and technology that address critical issues in medicine, biology, and biotechnology. The program promotes fundamental engineering research and innovation in photonics, focusing on developing new technologies beyond current mature applications in medical diagnostics and therapies. Key motivating goals include creating low-cost, minimally invasive diagnostics and therapies. Research topics of interest include nanophotonics, optogenetics, contrast agents, ultra-thin probes, wide-field imaging, and rapid biomarker screening.

Specific research areas supported by the Biophotonics program include:

- Imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II): This research focuses on advancing medical applications of biophotonics within the NIR-II window (1,000-1,700 nm), where biological tissues are transparent up to several centimeters in depth, making it ideal for deep tissue imaging.

- Macromolecule markers: Innovative methods for labeling macromolecules, developing novel compositions of matter, and fabricating multicolor probes for marking and detecting specific pathological cells. This area also seeks to push the limits of optical sensing in terms of detection, resolution, and identification.

- Low coherence sensing at the nanoscale: Methods such as low coherence enhanced backscattering (LEBS), n-dimensional elastic light scattering, and angle-resolved low coherence interferometry for early cancer detection (dysplasia).

- Neurophotonics: Studies that involve photon activation of neurons using nanomaterials attached to cells, as well as the development of biocompatible photonic tools like parallel interfaces for communication and control of neural networks.

- Microphotonics and nanophotonics: Development of novel nanoparticle fluorescent quantum dots for high-throughput characterization of macromolecular properties of cells, as well as the use of nanomaterials and nanodevices in biomedicine.

- Optogenetics: Research involving light-activated channels and enzymes to manipulate neural activity with temporal precision, employing techniques such as nanophotonics and genetic methods for real-time studies of physiological processes.

The program is open to innovative proposals outside of these specific areas, but principal investigators are encouraged to contact the program director before submission to ensure suitability. All proposals should address the novelty and transformative nature of the work compared to previous research, and also consider the broader societal and industrial impacts. The duration of unsolicited proposal awards is generally up to three years, typically supporting one graduate student and up to one month of PI time per year. Proposals that exceed typical budget limits should be discussed with the program director beforehand.

The Biophotonics program encourages proposals to the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program, with an award duration of five years. CAREER proposals must adhere to the annual submission deadline in July. The program also considers proposals for conferences, workshops, and supplements, which should be discussed with the program director before submission. Grant types like Rapid Response Research (RAPID), Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), and Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) are also supported. These grants can be submitted at any time, but prior consultation with the program director is required.

The program directors for Biophotonics are Adam Wax (awax@nsf.gov) and Steven M. Zehnder (szehnder@nsf.gov), both reachable at the NSF Directorate for Engineering's Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (ENG/CBET). Full proposals can be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, following the guidelines specified in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide or the Grants.gov Application Guide, respectively. The Biophotonics program accepts proposals year-round, and interested applicants are encouraged to refer to the relevant guidelines and announcements for detailed instructions.