Implementation of Synthetic Biology Principles in Immunology

About this funding opportunity

This RFA closed November 13, 2025 Implementation of Synthetic Biology Principles in Immunology

Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative invite applications for two-year initial research projects that harness synthetic biology to revolutionize our understanding and treatment of immune-related disorders. This RFA represents a strategic investment in transformative research that has the potential to yield breakthroughs with far-reaching impact on public health.

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For administrative and programmatic inquiries or other questions pertaining to this RFA, please contact sciencegrants@chanzuckerberg.com"). Key Dates

September 16, 2025

Application portal opens

November 13, 2025

Applications due by 2 pm PT / 5 pm ET

Late February 2026

Earliest notification of decisions (subject to change)

April 1, 2026

Expected start date (subject to change) Opportunity

Overview

The synthetic biology field, with its capacity to design, construct, and program novel biological systems, is emerging as a critical element of future biomedical research. In particular, applying synthetic biology principles to the immune system presents new mechanism-based avenues to reengineering immune responses, enabling precise control over temporally encoded cell-cell interactions, performing state-specific modulation of gene expression, and recording / responding to cellular experiences over time via programmable effector functions. These capabilities represent major pillars to achieve our vision of modulating immune cell tropism, evading immune detection by engineered cells, and developing next-generation cell-based immunotherapies. These advances will be pivotal for tackling a large number of diseases and processes where the immune system plays a pivotal role in maintaining or disrupting organ homeostasis, from cancer to neurodegeneration to fibrosis and senescence. Specifically, we expect that the integration of synthetic biology into immune cell engineering will catalyze innovations in precision medicine, enabling more personalized, adaptable, and durable therapeutic interventions.

Chan Zuckerberg (CZ) Biohub New York and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) are committed to fostering interdisciplinary innovation that bridges engineering, biology, and clinical science. This vision aligns with CZ Biohub New York’s Grand Challenge to harness the immune system for the early detection, prevention, and treatment of diseases, an ambitious goal addressing the critical need to intervene earlier in devastating conditions like pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer’s, and more. Synthetic biology offers a powerful approach to program immune cells as diagnostic sentinels and precision therapeutics, minimizing off-target effects. In this context, CZ Biohub NY serves as a central hub for pioneering research at the intersection of synthetic biology and immunology, and this funding opportunity seeks to broaden participation and accelerate scientific discovery in key research areas, translating research breakthroughs into tangible health solutions. The convergence of these fields promises to unlock novel approaches to modulate immune functions, optimize therapeutic delivery, and improve diagnostic strategies, all of which are essential to address the complex health challenges of our time.

Objectives of the RFA

This RFA invites applications proposing innovative strategies and methodologies that implement synthetic biology principles in the context of immunology. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Engineering immune cells with enhanced specificity, functionality, and controllability, including improved sensing, homing, and effector capabilities. Designing and developing synthetic bio-circuits to direct cell behavior, such as: Controlling immune cell tropism or tissue localization Supporting in situ detection of complex, multi-ligand patterns for…

Topic areas: Life Sciences and Health.

Funding amount

This grant provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no single fixed deadline.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• Not specified by the program.

Eligibility

The program did not publish a separate eligibility statement. See the official opportunity page for the full eligibility criteria.

Agency

Implementation of Synthetic Biology Principles in Immunology is administered by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), listed via Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.