The US National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking proposals for basic research in forensic science, in an effort to improve rigour and standards. The move is partly a result of a 2009 US National Research Council report that called for the NSF to support forensics research, and for scientists and medical officers in the field to be certified, says Mark Weiss, division director for behavioural and cognitive science at the NSF in Arlington, Virginia. “If you've got an idea, we want to hear about it,” says Weiss, who adds that forensics research is considered a national and legislative priority. He encourages interested researchers to contact programme directors in any relevant NSF directorate.