Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network and CZI

Implementation of Synthetic Biology Principles in Immunology

• Award: $600,000 max over 2 years, incl. 15% max indirect
• Deadline: Nov. 13, 2025 at 5pm ET  Internal deadline - all information to Office of Sponsored Programs by November 5, 2025
• Interested faculty should complete the Office of Sponsored Programs Research Proposal Request ASAP to start application process

Full RFP

Overview

The stated goal of this program is to develop new ideas in immune cell engineering to "enable precise control over immune responses, disease detection, and therapeutic delivery." Areas of interest include engineering immune cells with enhanced sensing and effector functions, designing synthetic bio-circuits to regulate immune cell behavior, and constructing artificial immune systems for disease modeling and screening. The initiative is particularly focused on projects that could transform how we detect and treat diseases like cancer, neurodegeneration, and fibrosis by teaching immune cells to help find sicknesses and provide proper treatment.

Important Information

Each application must designate one Coordinating Principal Investigator (PI), with up to two additional Co-PIs allowed. Teams should be interdisciplinary and may span multiple institutions. Early-career investigators are strongly encouraged to apply. Projects must involve complex synthetic biology constructs in immune cells—"simple CRISPR screens or genetic edits without synthetic circuit design are considered out of scope."

Process

Proposals will be administered by the Office of Sponsored Programs. Please complete the Research Proposal Request Form ASAP. A preview of the application is available upon request to [email protected].