Information, Computation, and Thermodynamics in Biology
Supports interdisciplinary research on how living systems process information as 'information engines,' integrating physics, information theory, and biology through collaborative, early career-led pilot projects.
Funder: Research Corporation for Science Advancement
Due Dates: September 15, 2026 (Application deadline; Fellow consideration)
Funding Amounts: Collaborative seed grants; typical awards ~$50,000 per team, 1-year duration; multiple teams funded annually.
Summary: Supports interdisciplinary research at the interface of physics, information theory, and biology to advance understanding of living systems as information engines.
Key Information: For early career faculty (US/Canada); application is by self-nomination; participation as a Fellow is required for proposal submission.
Description
This program supports interdisciplinary research at the intersection of nonequilibrium physics, information theory, and molecular biology. The initiative seeks to understand how living systems function as information engines—processing information under energetic constraints—by fostering collaboration across biology, chemistry, physics, synthetic biology, and AI-driven informatics. Emphasis is placed on innovative experiments, theoretical approaches, and simulations that integrate information theoretic, computational, and thermodynamic perspectives. The program is structured as a Scialog series, bringing together early career researchers to catalyze new ideas and collaborative pilot projects.
