Opportunity Information: Apply for 24 603
The Biomedical Research Initiative for Next-Gen BioTechnologies - SynBio Control (BRING-SynBio) is a joint funding opportunity from the National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering (NSF/ENG) and the National Institutes of Health, specifically the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIH/NIBIB). Its core purpose is to speed up the path from fundamental advances in synthetic and engineering biology to early-stage biomedical technologies, using a coordinated, interagency model where NSF supports the earlier science and NIH supports the later translation work. The solicitation is positioned squarely in the science and technology research and development space and is offered as a discretionary grant program.
A defining feature of BRING-SynBio is its required two-phase project structure. Phase I is focused on proof-of-principle research in synthetic and engineering biology, where the work is expected to generate foundational results, demonstrate feasibility, and meet clearly defined milestones. NSF provides funding for this Phase I fundamental research. Phase II is designed as exploratory biomedical engineering technology development that translates Phase I outcomes toward a biomedical technology direction that aligns with NIBIBs mission. NIH/NIBIB provides funding for Phase II. Importantly, moving from Phase I to Phase II is not automatic; NIH/NIBIB will conduct an administrative evaluation of Phase I milestone completion to decide whether a project is eligible to transition, and even strong Phase I performance does not guarantee Phase II support.
Scientifically, the solicitation emphasizes synthetic biology approaches that explicitly incorporate biological control theory, with an emphasis on control, robustness, predictability, and reliable performance in biologically complex environments. Examples of encouraged topics include new design principles for creating and characterizing synthetic biology tools and biological parts, as well as gene circuit designs that improve robustness, reliability, predictability, and tuneability compared to current approaches. The program also calls out modular design strategies where combining parts leads to predictable network-level behavior, along with new approaches that address size limitations that can constrain gene circuit designs. On the regulation and control side, the opportunity highlights synthetic gene regulatory networks aimed at controlled modulation of gene expression, including approaches for dynamic noise filtering, and synthetic circuits that incorporate new feedback control strategies. Across these areas, the through-line is not just building circuits, but engineering controllable systems that behave as intended under real biological variability.
The solicitation is strict about what counts as responsive. Proposals that only cover one phase, fail to advance synthetic biology in a way that meaningfully incorporates biological control theory, or do not address a challenge with clear relevance to NIBIBs mission are deemed non-responsive and will be returned without review. In practice, that means applicants need to present an integrated Phase I to Phase II storyline, define credible Phase I milestones that set up Phase II, and connect the translational goals to biomedical imaging and bioengineering relevance consistent with NIBIB priorities.
Eligibility is limited to certain U.S.-based organization types. Eligible applicants include U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations that are directly associated with educational or research activities. Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, including two- and four-year colleges and community colleges, may also apply on behalf of their faculty, provided they have a campus located in the United States. If a proposal includes funding for an international branch campus of a U.S. institution (including via subawards or consultants), the applicant must explain why performing work at the international branch campus benefits the project and why those activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number 24-603, with CFDA numbers 47.041 and 93.286, reflecting the NSF and NIH components. The original closing date is 2024-12-04, the opportunity was created on 2024-09-06, and the expected number of awards is 8. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided source information.Apply for 24 603
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biomedical Research Initiative for Next-Gen BioTechnologies - SynBio Control" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 93.286.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-12-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BRING-SynBio Control (BRING-SynBio) funding opportunity?
The Biomedical Research Initiative for Next-Gen BioTechnologies - SynBio Control (BRING-SynBio) is a joint, interagency discretionary grant opportunity from the National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering (NSF/ENG) and the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIH/NIBIB). It is designed to accelerate progress from fundamental advances in synthetic and engineering biology to early-stage biomedical technologies.
Which agencies are involved, and what does each agency fund?
NSF/ENG and NIH/NIBIB jointly run the program using a coordinated, two-phase model. NSF funds Phase I, which focuses on proof-of-principle research in synthetic and engineering biology. NIH/NIBIB funds Phase II, which focuses on exploratory biomedical engineering technology development that translates Phase I outcomes toward a direction aligned with the NIBIB mission.
What is the required project structure?
Projects must be structured in two phases. Phase I is proof-of-principle research with foundational results, feasibility demonstrations, and clearly defined milestones. Phase II is exploratory biomedical technology development that builds on Phase I results and moves toward an early-stage biomedical technology consistent with NIBIB priorities.
Is transition from Phase I to Phase II automatic?
No. Transition from Phase I to Phase II is not automatic. NIH/NIBIB will conduct an administrative evaluation of Phase I milestone completion to determine whether a project is eligible to transition. Even strong Phase I performance does not guarantee Phase II support.
What is the core scientific emphasis of this solicitation?
The solicitation emphasizes synthetic biology approaches that explicitly incorporate biological control theory, with a focus on control, robustness, predictability, and reliable performance in biologically complex environments. The goal is not only to build gene circuits, but to engineer controllable systems that behave as intended under real biological variability.
What types of research topics are encouraged?
Encouraged areas include new design principles for creating and characterizing synthetic biology tools and biological parts; gene circuit designs that improve robustness, reliability, predictability, and tuneability; modular design strategies where combining parts yields predictable network-level behavior; new approaches that address size limitations constraining gene circuit designs; synthetic gene regulatory networks for controlled modulation of gene expression (including dynamic noise filtering); and synthetic circuits that incorporate new feedback control strategies.
What does it mean to "meaningfully incorporate biological control theory"?
Based on the solicitation emphasis, responsiveness requires more than building synthetic biology circuits. Proposals should explicitly incorporate control concepts (such as feedback control, robustness, predictability, dynamic behavior under variability, or noise filtering) in a way that advances controllable biological system performance in complex environments.
How does NIBIB mission relevance affect proposal responsiveness?
To be considered responsive, the project must address a challenge with clear relevance to the NIBIB mission. Phase II is specifically framed as biomedical engineering technology development that translates Phase I outcomes toward a biomedical technology direction aligned with NIBIB priorities in biomedical imaging and bioengineering.
What happens if a proposal only covers Phase I or only covers Phase II?
Proposals that cover only one phase are deemed non-responsive and will be returned without review. The solicitation requires an integrated Phase I to Phase II plan.
What are other reasons a proposal may be deemed non-responsive and returned without review?
Based on the provided information, proposals may be returned without review if they: (1) cover only one phase; (2) fail to advance synthetic biology in a way that meaningfully incorporates biological control theory; or (3) do not address a challenge with clear relevance to the NIBIB mission.
What is expected in Phase I milestones?
Phase I is expected to produce foundational results, demonstrate feasibility, and meet clearly defined milestones. These milestones matter because NIH/NIBIB uses an administrative evaluation of milestone completion to determine eligibility to transition to Phase II.
How should applicants connect Phase I to Phase II?
The solicitation expects an integrated storyline across the two phases. Applicants should define credible Phase I milestones that set up Phase II, and clearly connect the Phase II translational direction to a biomedical technology path aligned with NIBIB mission relevance.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to certain U.S.-based organization types. Eligible applicants include U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations (such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations) that are directly associated with educational or research activities. Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, including two- and four-year colleges and community colleges, may also apply on behalf of their faculty, provided they have a campus located in the United States.
Can a U.S. institution include an international branch campus in the project?
Yes, but if a proposal includes funding for an international branch campus of a U.S. institution (including via subawards or consultants), the applicant must explain why performing work at the international branch campus benefits the project and why those activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 24-603.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity lists CFDA numbers 47.041 and 93.286, reflecting the NSF and NIH components.
What is the closing date?
The original closing date is 2024-12-04.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2024-09-06.
How many awards are expected?
The expected number of awards is 8.
Is there an award ceiling (maximum award amount)?
The award ceiling is not specified in the provided source information.
What kind of funding program is this (grant type)?
It is offered as a discretionary grant program and is positioned in the science and technology research and development space.
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