The BIG Program is a matching funding mechanism sponsored by the Office of Research and the Divisions. The purpose of the program is to support interdisciplinary research teams to develop novel research agendas and partnerships that will form the foundation for targeting large-scale (~$5M+) federal funding opportunities in the next 1-3 years.

Proposed projects for BIG awards should have potential for societal impact and be highly ambitious, but achievable, with an interdisciplinary team science approach. Ideal topics will be appropriate for establishing a center/institute or building capacity in an area priority to federal funding agencies.