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Issued by

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)

Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to announce the interagency collaboration between the NIH and the National Science Foundation (NSF) on a bi-phasic funding opportunity, NSF 24-603, Biomedical Research Initiative for Next-Gen BioTechnologies – SynBio Control (BRING SynBio).

The BRING SynBio program aims to accelerate the transition of NSF-funded novel, foundational synthetic and engineering biology discoveries to early-stage biomedical technologies relevant to the mission of the NIH/NIBIB. This solicitation seeks applications focused on the use of biological control theory in the design and characterization of new synthetic biological tools and parts and their downstream application to technology development in the biomedical field.

Projects responsive to the BRING SynBio solicitation should include a two-phased research plan to pursue proof of principle synthetic and engineering biology research (Phase I) and continued exploratory research to transition novel findings toward biomedical technologies (Phase II). Phase II research should build on the projected outcomes of Phase I. NSF will provide support for foundational research activity in Phase I. NIH/NIBIB will provide support for exploratory biomedical engineering technology development in Phase II. This opportunity does not support Clinical Trials. Non-domestic (non-US) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply for funding under this solicitation, nor to act as lead or collaborating institutions.

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. 

Applications must address research for both phases (Phase I/NSF and Phase II/NIH) in a single application.Projects that address only one of the phases, do not incorporate biological control theory into the study design, do not address a challenge with clear relevance to the mission of NIBIB, or propose clinical trials are non-responsive. Non-responsive projects will be returned without review.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIH and NSF program officials to discuss the goals and structure of the program and mission fit prior to submitting an application.

Application Preparation and Submission Instructions

This solicitation uses a phased award mechanism, where Phase I will be funded and managed by the NSF and Phase II will be funded and managed by the NIH/NIBIB. Applications in response to this program solicitation (NSF 24-603) should be submitted to the NSF and not to the NIH in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the applicationis being submitted.  The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg. Paper copies of the PAPPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov.

Phase I and Phase II Headings: A single application must be submitted to the NSF, and the project description must contain separate, clearly labeled headings for Phase I (NSF) and Phase II (NIH). Under each heading, the research activities pursued under that phase must be described in detail. Objectives for Phase II should be based on the anticipated results from Phase I. Applications must include both Phase I and Phase II to be considered complete and eligible for review. The NIH will not accept Direct to Phase II submissions regardless of the funding source for the proof of principle work on which the proposed Phase II research is based.

Milestones: Delineation of milestones in the application for Phase I is a key requirement of this solicitation. Applications must provide a section entitled "Milestones,” at the end of the Phase I Project Description section. This section must include a clear description of quantifiable and attainable Phase I milestones that, if met, would justify proceeding to Phase II. A milestone is defined as a scheduled event in the project timeline that signifies completion of a major project stage/activity. The milestones proposed in the application must be objective, quantifiable, rigorously defined, feasible (in terms of the study timeline and approach), and scientifically justified. They should not be a restatement of the Phase I specific aims. Successful completion of Phase I milestones will be administratively evaluated by NIH/NIBIB to determine eligibility to transition to Phase II funding. This transition is neither automatic nor guaranteed. 

Budgetary Information

Detailed budgets for Phase I and Phase II should be clearly identified by fiscal year of each phase.

Phase I projects will be funded by NSF for up to a two-year period and for up to a total of $150,000 in total cost per year.

Phase II projects will be funded by NIH for up to a two-year period. The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.

Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

For NIH, indirect costs on foreign subawards/subcontracts will be limited to eight (8) percent.

NIH Process

Applications selected for Phase I funding after peer-review at the NSF will be required to be submitted to NIH in an NIH-approved format. PIs invited to resubmit the same projects to NIH will receive further information on this process from the NIH. Applicants must then complete the submission process and track the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants administration. There will not be a re-review of reformatted applications submitted to the NIH.

An applicant will not be allowed to increase the proposed budget or change the scientific content in the application reformatted for NIH. Indirect costs on any foreign subawards/subcontracts will be limited to eight (8) percent.

Subsequent to review panels, a process of selection by the supporting agencies will be conducted. Funding decisions will be made jointly by NSF and NIH program representatives. Following the NSF peer review, recommended applications that have been resubmitted to the NIH are required to go to second level review by the Advisory Council or Advisory Board of the awarding Institute or Center. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

• Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review.
• Availability of funds.
• Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.
• Adequacy of data management and sharing plans.

Before an initial award is made, the assigned NIH program officer may contact the applicant to negotiate transition milestones. Successful completion of Phase I milestones will be administratively evaluated by NIH/NIBIB to determine eligibility to transition to Phase II funding. This transition is neither automatic nor guaranteed. Upon transition to Phase II, subsequent grant administration procedures for NIH awardees, including those related to New and Early Stage Investigators (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/index.htm), will be in accordance with the policies of NIH. Applications selected for NIH funding will use the NIH R21 funding mechanism.

Pre-application Webinar Information

An applicant webinar will be hosted by NSF/NIH on September 25, 2024, from 1-2pm (EST), to go over the BRING SynBio Program and the specific solicitation requirements. Register for the webinar at: https://nsf.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_NabYBS4ESF6u_QYBvgjgHQ

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Tuba Fehr, PhD
National Institute on Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)

Division of Discovery Science and Technologies
Telephone: 301-451-7958
E-mail: tuba.fehr@nih.gov

Inquiries are encouraged. Please see the NSF-24-603 for names and contact information of participating NSF Directorates.