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hummingbird. Researchers found that relocating to a higher altitude to escape a warming climate seems unlikely for hummingbirds due to the drop in metabolic rate and increase in time spent in a torpid state." data-credit="Becky Matsubara (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">CC BY 2.0</a>)" data-component-id="nsf_theme:hero"> <picture class="hero__media hero__image"> <source srcset="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/hero/s3/2023-04/3908_hummingbird_h.jpg.webp?VersionId=TZR9iFIkB7YfswfqxQH3PDWAa4j_S7AB&itok=loZpeVo7" media="(min-width: 1204px)" type="image/webp" /> <source srcset="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/hero_medium/s3/2023-04/3908_hummingbird_h.jpg.webp?VersionId=w4soqUXFp0b0MdNlKlUG51uzqLgu5DJq&itok=9_VjK_I-" media="(min-width: 580px)" type="image/webp" /> <img class="hero__image-image" src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/hero_small/s3/2023-04/3908_hummingbird_h.jpg.webp?VersionId=d6h2CDIIZtHkehgGWR6HgDY1L2WHNnm6&itok=LqJni566" alt="A hummingbird in flight feeding on a vibrant red flower's nectar" /> </picture> <span class="hero__overlay"></span> <div class="hero hero--default hero--style-dynamic-image-overlay hero--media-type-image"> <div class="hero__content hero__content--default "> <div class="hero__content-inner"> <div class="hero__meta"> </div> <h1 class="hero__title hero-heading">Biology</h1> <div class="hero__tagline"> Understanding life in all its forms and sustaining the Earth's ecosystems as they face unprecedented global challenges. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-credit-caption__wrapper"> <div class="hero-credit-caption"> <div class="hero-credit-caption__content"> <span aria-hidden="true"> <div class="icon__camera"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24"><path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3.2" fill="#005EA2" /><path d="M9 2L7.17 4H4c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v12c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2h-3.17L15 2H9zm3 15c-2.76 0-5-2.24-5-5s2.24-5 5-5 5 2.24 5 5-2.24 5-5 5z" fill="#005EA2"/></svg> </div> </span> <div class="hero-credit-caption__text"> <a class="credit__link" href="#image-caption-credit-block" > View image credit & caption</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> <section class="usa-section uswds-middle-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg"> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-fill"> <div class="region region-breadcrumb"> <div id="block-nsf-theme-breadcrumbs" class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block block-nsf-theme-breadcrumbs"> <nav aria-label="Breadcrumb" id="system-breadcrumb" class="breadcrumbs"> <ol class="breadcrumbs__list"> <li class="breadcrumbs__item"> <a href="/" class="breadcrumbs__item--url">Home</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumbs__item"> <a href="/focus-areas" class="breadcrumbs__item--url">Our Focus Areas</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumbs__item"> <span class="breadcrumbs__item--current" aria-current="page">Biology</span> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <main class="uswds-main-content-wrapper grid-container not-search-page three-col-layout"> <div class="grid-row"> </div> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-6"> <div class="region-content full-width-container tablet:grid-col-12"> <div id="content-article-wrap"> <div class="region region-content"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <div id="block-nsf-theme-content" class="block block-system block-system-main-block block-nsf-theme-content"> <article class="node node--type-layout-builder-page node--promoted node--view-mode-full"> <div class="node__content"> <article class="node text__container node--type-layout-builder-page node--promoted node--view-mode-pre-layout-fields"> <div class="node_view"></div> </article> <div class="layout-container--wrapper nsf-layout nsf-layout--twocol-60-40 full-browser-width"> <div class="nsf-layout--outer"> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> </div> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--first"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-text nsf-component"> <section class="text__container"> <div class="body-1"><p>We advance research and discovery in biology — from molecules to the global biosphere, from cells to human communities, across time and space.</p></div> <div class="text__content text-formatted"><p>Whether it’s studying how wildlife diversity affects human health or how memory is encoded in the brain, NSF research helps the world understand the rules that govern life and sustain the complex web of living things.</p></div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region layout__region--second"> <section data-component-id="nsf_theme:related-links" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockrelated-links-with-files nsf-component"> <div class="related-links nsf-component related-links--chevron"> <ul class="link-list"> <li class="link-list__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--attachment paragraph--view-mode--ief-table"> <div class="grid-col-fill"> <div class="field field-para-attachment-link"><a href="/funding/opportunities?f%5B0%5D=directorate%3A15">Find funding in biology</a></div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="link-list__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--attachment paragraph--view-mode--ief-table"> <div class="grid-col-fill"> <div class="field field-para-attachment-link"><a href="/bio">Directorate for Biological Sciences</a></div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="palette palette--light-gray layout-container--wrapper nsf-layout nsf-layout--threecol full-browser-width"> <div class="nsf-layout--outer"> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--headline"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-text nsf-component"> <section class="text__container"> <h2 id="what-we-support-289" class="text__title">What we support</h2> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--first"> <div class="cta block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" data-media-id="9639" data-is-footer-caption-credit data-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/2023-04/CRISPR_NSF.jpg?VersionId=jJfNy19N_hM8qSzRZx.PzHcJxftUXzzL" data-footer-caption-credit-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/image_credit_caption_block_130x78_/s3/2023-04/CRISPR_NSF.jpg?VersionId=5U25Gnz8xqKseCLwiMD_K7cjqBzZYyDJ&amp;itok=EG4mbK_b" data-caption="This science art of the CRISPR DNA editing enzyme Cas 9, was created from the accurate 3d model determined by x-ray crystallography" data-credit="Nicolle R. Fuller/NSF" data-component-id="nsf_theme:cta"> <div class="cta__image"> <img class="cta__img--full" src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/cta_image/s3/2023-04/CRISPR_NSF.jpg?VersionId=TZn5MENKUxeLoi_4N2acLoHAkUKxMsxG&itok=k3pfS_fB" alt="" /> </div> <div class="cta__content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-block-cta-body"><h3>Deciphering the molecular underpinnings of life</h3> <p>We support<strong> </strong>research that uncovers the fundamental and emergent properties of living systems, from atoms and molecules to cells.</p> <p><a href="/bio/mcb" data-entity-type="group" data-entity-uuid="32694d48-dc83-4d33-83d9-969bc3287b87" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (BIO/MCB)">Visit the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region layout__region--second"> <div class="cta block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" data-media-id="9640" data-is-footer-caption-credit data-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/2023-04/PF7243%20_9_h.jpg?VersionId=5qhNEQROJvhoXj2Hzh37wTT41y3OPUfH" data-footer-caption-credit-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/image_credit_caption_block_130x78_/s3/2023-04/PF7243%20_9_h.jpg?VersionId=a9q6Pq0AloAAYJ5sjztSLFSaVRZ15puV&amp;itok=iUpcHYKX" data-caption="The amphipod crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis." data-credit="Nipam Patel, Marine Biological Lab embryology course" data-component-id="nsf_theme:cta"> <div class="cta__image"> <img class="cta__img--full" src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/cta_image/s3/2023-04/PF7243%20_9_h.jpg?VersionId=W2V57gqj91SRX45MB099cz_VsaRYcrWh&itok=aq7Qbfy4" alt="" /> </div> <div class="cta__content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-block-cta-body"><h3>Understanding the structure and function of organisms</h3> <p>We support research aimed at understanding organisms as units of biological organization.</p> <p><a href="/bio/ios" data-entity-type="group" data-entity-uuid="5033a858-c8d6-4950-bb64-c5ab735f4fba" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (BIO/IOS)">Visit the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region layout__region--third"> <div class="cta block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" data-media-id="9641" data-is-footer-caption-credit data-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/2023-04/FireWeed_Yellowstone.jpg?VersionId=xxRm4gUTr_C1K4qf83zn.XB8vshDVpN." data-footer-caption-credit-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/image_credit_caption_block_130x78_/s3/2023-04/FireWeed_Yellowstone.jpg?VersionId=mqIk3rCtwt.sUEHGtY01l1GRTPAoNjil&amp;itok=KCCAVxdI" data-caption="Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) blooms in Yellowstone National Park, Montana. New research highlights the importance of plant-pollinator interactions in restoring ecosystems in which natural wildfire regimes have been altered or suppressed by human activities" data-credit="Jonathan Myers, Washington University in St Louis" data-component-id="nsf_theme:cta"> <div class="cta__image"> <img class="cta__img--full" src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/cta_image/s3/2023-04/FireWeed_Yellowstone.jpg?VersionId=whj2FNP5krn8rwWt78.jokz_oYP3Nc0G&itok=YFJv3Uta" alt="" /> </div> <div class="cta__content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-block-cta-body"><h3>Exploring the ecology and evolution of living things</h3> <p>We support<strong> </strong>evolutionary and ecological research on species, populations, communities and ecosystems.</p> <p><a href="/bio/deb" data-entity-type="group" data-entity-uuid="da51845f-475d-4b68-bd54-f3adf3f1171a" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Division of Environmental Biology (BIO/DEB)">Visit the Division of Environmental Biology</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="palette palette--light-gray layout-container--wrapper nsf-layout nsf-layout--threecol full-browser-width"> <div class="nsf-layout--outer"> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> </div> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--first"> <div class="cta block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" data-media-id="9642" data-is-footer-caption-credit data-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/2023-04/Ordway-Swisher_NEON_site_010.jpg?VersionId=z4oxSasYh5gN4F4O8gbPOpd7HVY0jjWX" data-footer-caption-credit-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/image_credit_caption_block_130x78_/s3/2023-04/Ordway-Swisher_NEON_site_010.jpg?VersionId=obHUq59PBL3AOZbgc7naSJgyOU3cJ4FM&amp;itok=j4EhuW0-" data-caption="D03 field ecologists Jason and Kevin spent a beautiful Florida fall morning cleaning and inspecting tower sensors at the OSBS tower in Melrose, Florida. Preventative maintenance is an important part of ensuring the highest quality data for our users." data-credit="Photo courtesy of NEON operated by Battelle." data-component-id="nsf_theme:cta"> <div class="cta__image"> <img class="cta__img--full" src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/cta_image/s3/2023-04/Ordway-Swisher_NEON_site_010.jpg?VersionId=x8IZ48m.EP0TTmUzwt1Yhich7NLK5Z3y&itok=d_WkJwTA" alt="" /> </div> <div class="cta__content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-block-cta-body"><h3>Investing in research infrastructure</h3> <p>We support the development and enhancement of biological research infrastructure, including human capital, technologies, and institutes and centers.</p> <p><a href="/bio/dbi" data-entity-type="group" data-entity-uuid="733f8dba-909b-4048-bc6a-4c19f1b5a98f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Division of Biological Infrastructure (BIO/DBI)">Visit the Division of Biological Infrastructure</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region layout__region--second"> <div class="cta block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" data-media-id="9643" data-is-footer-caption-credit data-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/2023-04/PF1786_1920_h.jpg?VersionId=nyxsRNl8E6d8EPcxvjA3Z74VFQtSdS9c" data-footer-caption-credit-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/image_credit_caption_block_130x78_/s3/2023-04/PF1786_1920_h.jpg?VersionId=9RLaLhzO6MwzKkqgvXE8nsGTv9KTKcsh&amp;itok=CdDAhSlk" data-caption="A Pachycerianthus magnus tube anemone." data-credit="Courtesy of Sergio Stampar" data-component-id="nsf_theme:cta"> <div class="cta__image"> <img class="cta__img--full" src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/cta_image/s3/2023-04/PF1786_1920_h.jpg?VersionId=yYRtH0U5gX8Mr7Rx8IGiizEPBlCTN15.&itok=y0YAOl1G" alt="" /> </div> <div class="cta__content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-block-cta-body"><h3>Expanding the frontiers of 21st century biology</h3> <p>We support multi- and interdisciplinary research and networking activities that arise from advances in disciplinary research.</p> <p><a href="/bio/ef" data-entity-type="group" data-entity-uuid="1758080d-6a00-4d6b-b389-ab2987de47da" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Emerging Frontiers Office (BIO/EF)">Visit the Emerging Frontiers Office</a></p> <p>Learn about NSF's support for research on <a href="/focus-areas/biotechnology" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e420ab79-1cff-45cb-8093-7093adc166ec" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Biotechnology">biotechnology</a> and <a href="/focus-areas/artificial-intelligence" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="29e38c43-7625-4efe-9c0e-3de36c582dc1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title=" Artificial Intelligence">artificial intelligence</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region layout__region--third"> <div class="cta block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-cta nsf-component" data-media-id="7140" data-is-footer-caption-credit data-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/2023-06/wastewater-sampling-covid.jpg?VersionId=aEWt.cig9RUpHP9MMWVUCCM88iI4vm3q" data-footer-caption-credit-src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/image_credit_caption_block_130x78_/s3/2023-06/wastewater-sampling-covid.jpg?VersionId=Zaw1jC4ohUz.RIGRNGmASJ4AgQyvUxYs&amp;itok=FI8VInxY" data-caption="Auto-sampling robots at sites at ]UC San Diego collected wastewater samples." data-credit="Erik Jepsen/UCPA" data-component-id="nsf_theme:cta"> <div class="cta__image"> <img class="cta__img--full" src="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/styles/cta_image/s3/2023-06/wastewater-sampling-covid.jpg?VersionId=H8EgJUwqlZQtedhFtw7uERW0xRwHji8o&itok=OXTQtECS" alt="" /> </div> <div class="cta__content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field-block-cta-body"><h3>Addressing societal challenges</h3> <p>We invest in NSF-wide research themes that are designed to address societal challenges, including climate change. Many advances in these areas also help grow the U.S. bioeconomy. These topics can be explored in the <a href="/focus-areas/biology#topics" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="cc241650-11b2-419d-b0e5-97ed8a0263a6" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Biology">related topics</a> section of this page.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="palette palette--light-blue layout-container--wrapper nsf-layout nsf-layout--twocol full-browser-width"> <div class="nsf-layout--outer"> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--headline"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-text nsf-component"> <section class="text__container"> <div class="body-1"><p><a name="topics"></a> </p></div> </section> </div> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-text nsf-component"> <section class="text__container"> <h2 id="related-topics-217" class="text__title">Related topics</h2> <div class="body-1"></div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nsf-layout--inner"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--first"> <div class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blockcomponent-text nsf-component"> <section class="text__container"> <div class="text__content text-formatted"><ul><li><h3><a href="/focus-areas/materials" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a55cfff4-e52e-4f83-9f2b-ad11cf36c97e" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Materials Research">Advanced materials</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="/focus-areas/artificial-intelligence" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="29e38c43-7625-4efe-9c0e-3de36c582dc1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title=" Artificial Intelligence">Artificial intelligence</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="/focus-areas/biotechnology" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e420ab79-1cff-45cb-8093-7093adc166ec" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Biotechnology">Biotechnology</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="/focus-areas/disaster-resilience" 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