FUNDING PROGRAM: NSF Biomedical Research Initiative for Next-Gen BioTechnologies – SynBio Control.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: 24-603.
FUNDING AGENCIES: National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB).
OPPORTUNITY:
The National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering (NSF/ENG) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIH/NIBIB) announce the Biomedical Research Initiative for Next-Gen BioTechnologies – SynBio Control (BRING-SynBio) Solicitation. The BRING – SynBio Control solicitation aims to accelerate the translation of novel fundamental synthetic and engineering biology advances to early-stage biomedical technologies through interagency collaboration. Projects responsive to the BRING–SynBio solicitation will include a two-phased plan to pursue proof of principle synthetic and engineering biology research (Phase I) and exploratory research to translate findings toward biomedical technologies (Phase II). Phase II research should build on the projected outcomes of Phase I. NSF will provide support for fundamental research activity in Phase I. NIH will provide support for exploratory biomedical engineering technology development in Phase II. Successful completion of Phase I milestones will be administratively evaluated by NIH/NIBIB to determine eligibility to transition to Phase II.
DESCRIPTION:
Potential areas of interest for BRING–SynBio include but are not limited to:
Novel design principles for the characterization and design of new synthetic biology tools and parts:
- Gene circuit designs that enhance robustness, reliability, predictability, and tuneability of current designs.
- Modular designs for tools and parts that, when combined, result in predictable network outcomes.
- New strategies to improve upon size limitations of gene circuit designs.
Regulation and control of biological processes in cells/tissues:
- Synthetic gene regulatory networks for controlled modulation of gene expression and dynamic noise filtering.
- Design of synthetic circuits that incorporate novel feedback control strategies.
Projects that address only one of the phases, do not pursue advances in synthetic biology that incorporate biological control theory, or do not address a challenge with clear relevance to the mission of NIBIB are non-responsive.
COST SHARING: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
- FUNDING AVAILABILITY: $1.8 Million to $2.4 Million.
- INDIVIDUAL AWARD AMOUNTS: $150,000 in total cost per award per year for 2 years for Phase I; $275,000 in direct cost per award over 2 years for Phase II.
APPLICATION DEADLINE(S): December 04, 2024.
