Genomic Science Program
U.S. Department of Energy | Office of Science | Biological and Environmental Research Program

FUNDING: Early Career Research Program

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science (SC) announces the release of the FY-2022 Early Career Research Program (ECRP) Funding Opportunity: DE-FOA-0002563. This opportunity includes the following BER Biological System Science research topic:

Systems Biology and Biosystems Design of Bioenergy-Relevant Microbes to Enable Production of Next-Generation Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biomaterials. Applications are requested for systems biology research to advance the development of emerging eukaryote or prokaryote model microorganisms and/or microbial communities relevant for the production of biofuels, bioproducts, and/or biomaterials by converting lignocellulosic biomass, upcycling synthetic (petroleum-derived) polymers, or as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Applications that propose multi-omics approaches coupled with genome-wide design and editing technology development, in vivo or cell-free engineering, advanced predictive modeling, and high-throughput screening to understand and re-design biological systems with novel functional capabilities and biosynthetic potential are encouraged. Proposed studies could include, but are not limited to: (1) elucidation and/or engineering of relevant regulatory and metabolic networks, metabolic pathways, and/or signal processing related to bioproduct synthesis by microbes or multispecies consortia; (2) development of synthetic biology tools to facilitate the study and manipulation of emerging microbial model systems; (3) understanding and modification of phenotypes involved in the deconstruction and conversion of plant cell walls or synthetic, petroleum-derived polymers, the tolerance to stresses induced by altered biosynthetic pathways or culture conditions, and/or the synthesis of biofuels, bioproduct, and material precursors; and (4) engineering microorganisms for the production of biominerals, inorganic-organic composites, and composites of inorganic materials and living cells (living materials), with wholly new properties not found in nature.

Funding Announcement Detail

  • Funding Announcement Number: DE-FOA-0002563
  • Funding Announcement: PDF
  • Submission Deadline for Pre-applications: October 21, 2021
  • Pre-application Response Date: December 1, 2021
  • Submission Deadline for Applications: January 20, 2022