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Biomedical Research Initiative for Next-Gen BioTechnologies - SynBio Control (BRING SynBio)

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NSF 24-603

Important information about NSF’s implementation of the revised 2 CFR

NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website. These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.

Important information for proposers

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Supports projects aimed at advancing synthetic and engineering biology research and translating these findings into early-stage biomedical technologies through an NSF-NIH collaboration.

Supports projects aimed at advancing synthetic and engineering biology research and translating these findings into early-stage biomedical technologies through an NSF-NIH collaboration.

Synopsis

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. This transition is neither automatic nor guaranteed.

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. Non-responsive projects will be returned without review

Program contacts

Steven W. Peretti
speretti@nsf.gov (703) 292-4201 ENG/CBET
Aleksandr L. Simonian
asimonia@nsf.gov (703) 292-2191 ENG/CBET
Stephanie George
stgeorge@nsf.gov (703) 292-7825 EDU/OAD
Steven M. Zehnder
szehnder@nsf.gov (703) 292-7014 ENG/CBET
Shivani Sharma
shisharm@nsf.gov (703) 292-4204 ENG/CMMI
Tuba Fehr
tuba.fehr@nih.gov (301) 451-7958 National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

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