The National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering a federal grant opportunity titled "Designing Synthetic Cells Beyond the Bounds of Evolution," aimed at advancing research in synthetic biology and bioengineering. This initiative seeks proposals that focus on developing cell-like systems to identify the minimal requirements for life, designing synthetically-modified cells to explore fundamental evolutionary questions, and leveraging basic research to create innovative synthetic cell-like systems for biotechnology applications. The grant emphasizes the importance of addressing social, ethical, and safety issues associated with synthetic cell design, with a total funding amount of $6 million available for approximately seven awards, ranging from $500,000 to $2 million each. Proposals are due by February 2, 2026, and interested applicants can reach out to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov for assistance.