Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program
This grant funds research to help federal agencies assess the ecological risks of genetically engineered organisms created using advanced genetic techniques.
Funder: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Due Dates: July 1, 2026 (Letter of Intent, encouraged but not required) | July 13, 2026 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: $25,000–$650,000 per award (24–36 months); up to $5,000,000 total program funding; ~7 awards expected
Summary: Supports research to inform federal regulatory decisions on the ecological effects of introducing genetically engineered organisms into the environment.
Key Information: No cost-sharing required; open to U.S. public or private research/educational institutions or organizations.
Description
This program funds research to generate new scientific information supporting federal regulatory agencies in assessing the ecological impacts of genetically engineered (GE) organisms, including plants, animals, microorganisms, arthropods, and related wild and agricultural species. Projects must address environmental risk assessment (ERA) or risk management related to the introduction of GE organisms developed using recombinant, synthesized, or amplified nucleic acids. The program aims to inform science-based regulatory decisions and policy development for biotechnology in U.S. agriculture.
Eligible research areas include, but are not limited to:
- Management practices to minimize risk from GE organisms
- Methods to monitor and understand dispersal of GE organisms
- Gene transfer between GE organisms and related species
- Comparative effects of GE versus non-GE organisms in production systems
- Other topics supporting biotechnology risk assessment and regulatory needs
Both standard research and workshop grant types are available. Workshop grants support events that convene stakeholders to discuss scientific advances and knowledge gaps relevant to biotechnology ERA. The program does not fund food or health risk assessment, commercial product development, or unrelated research.
