Project Calls

Project calls to support BioMADE’s research on technology and innovation, education and workforce development, and safety and security are an important part of BioMADE’s mission. There are currently no active project calls, but stay tuned for future opportunities or become a member to always be in-the-know about new funding opportunities. And, check out external opportunities that may be relevant below.

Photo © North Carolina State University

Previous BioMADE Project Call Topic Areas

Technology and Innovation: Projects that enable bioindustrial manufacturing, develop technologies to enhance U.S. bioindustrial competitiveness, and de-risk investment in relevant infrastructure.

Education and Workforce Development: Projects that expand the biomanufacturing workforce by building awareness, preparing the future workforce, and supporting the current workforce.

Safety and Security: Projects that advance BioMADE’s commitment to safety and security in bioindustrial manufacturing.

Topic-Specific Project Calls: Projects that address one or more specific needs in the bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem, made available based on specific funding opportunities.

External Funding Opportunities

  • America’s Seed Fund is focused on transforming scientific and engineering discoveries into products and services with commercial and societal impact. The deep technologies we fund show promise but their success hasn’t yet been validated. And, each year, we award $200+ million in research and development (R&D) funding to about 400 startups across the United States.

    The Biological Technologies topic covers a wide range of technology areas to advance engineering and science innovation across the biological spectrum. Biological technologies have disrupted decades-old chemical, agricultural and medical products and services, producing a new bioeconomy. Potential breakthroughs in this space are on course to make major socioeconomic contributions by boosting productivity in industrial and agricultural processes, improving human health, and making advances toward environmental sustainability.

    Funding Agency: NSF

    Learn more here.

  • ASPECT seeks to reduce time to market by moving projects from laboratory research to pre-pilot scale testing. It includes two main topic areas: 

    • Topic Area 1: Bench ASPECT

      Proposals shouldsupport the development and adoption of new technologies for producing chemicals from alternative feedstocks, moving beyond proof-of-concept to bench and pre-pilot scale.

    • Topic Area 2: Pre-pilot ASPECT

      Proposals shouldaim toaccelerate the development and market entry of strategically valuable, domestically produced chemicals.

    AFFO will host an informational webinar for potential applicants on September 11, 2026, to explain the streamlined application and review process. 

    Funding Agency: DOE AFFO

    Closes: 10/9/2026 5:00PM ET

    Learn more here.