Connecting Massachusetts Researchers to Army Biotechnology Priorities — Up to $3M in Year 1 Funding
The Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC), in partnership with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, are offering up to $3 million in Year 1 grant funding to Massachusetts universities, research institutions and companies working on biotechnology and biomanufacturing priorities. BioNexus connects Massachusetts' world-class life sciences and research ecosystem with 10 DEVCOM-defined research challenges spanning warfighter nutrition, bio-derived materials, field biosensing and advanced chassis biology.
BioNexus Call for Projects
Key Dates
- Proposer’s Day: Tuesday, June 30
- Submissions Open: Tuesday, June 30
- Q&A Deadline: Wednesday, July 1
- White Papers Due: Friday, July 17
Proposer's Day
Tuesday, June 30
9:00 a.m. EST
In-person and virtual
NEMC and DEVCOM Soldier Center will present all 10 research topics, answer questions about the solicitation and give applicants a clearer picture of what a competitive submission looks like. Multi-organization teams are encouraged to attend.
Research Topic Areas
BioNexus funds research across 10 U.S. Army-defined topics. Full topic descriptions are available in the Call For Proposals (CFP), Appendix A. Eligible applicants may propose work on one or more topics below.
Projects proposed span one-three years. Funding awarded will be for year 1.
- Topic 1 (SC-SSD): Bioactive ingredients — prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics — to enhance gut health, immune function and metabolic performance in military rations.
- Topic 2 (SC-SSD): Smart bio-protection packaging systems to extend ration shelf-life, inhibit microbial contamination and reduce logistical burden on deployed forces.
- Topic 3 (ARL): Pilot-scale bioreactor production of high-quality cellulose for use in textiles, composites and bioplastics.
- Topic 4 (ARL): Pilot-scale fermentation of melanized filamentous fungi, a bio-derived conductive material with applications in electronics and electromagnetic shielding.
- Topic 5 (ARL): Ruggedized living biosensors — engineered microbes capable of detecting chemical and biological threats in the field without laboratory conditions.
- Topic 6 (ARL): A predictive computational platform to identify when and why synthetic organisms fail during biomanufacturing scale-up, addressing a critical barrier to deployment.
- Topic 7 (SC-SPD): Bioceramic proteins produced via engineered Pichia pastoris yeast for water-repellent textile finishes on warfighter gear.
- Topic 8 (SC-SED): Phage-based hygiene products — sprays and wipes — to prevent urinary tract infections in female warfighters, addressing a documented operational readiness challenge.
- Topic 9 (SC-SPD): Bio-derived pigments for camouflage, protective coatings and optical sensing applications, using renewable feedstocks to reduce supply chain vulnerability.
- Topic 10 (SC-SED): Novel engineered bacteria, yeast and fungal chassis for Army applications including fibers, sensors and high-efficiency biomanufacturing. Some sub-topics include classified elements; eligible applicants with appropriate clearances may inquire.
BioNexus grants are available to eligible applicants who must be located in Massachusetts, including:
- Institutions of higher education (state, municipal, and community colleges and universities)
- Non-profit organizations (including incubators, accelerators, etc.)
- For-profit entities (including startups and large corporations)
- Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
- Other public entities
Multi-organization teams are preferred. Awarded projects will be required to contract with MassTech, and it is
anticipated that awardees will also execute a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with
DEVCOM.
All projects require a match contribution. Match targets (Match Amount:Grant Amount) are 0.5:1.
The application process proceeds in two phases: white paper submission and, for invited applicants, full proposal submission. The target dates below are subject to change; applicants are encouraged to check this page frequently for updates.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Solicitation Released | Tuesday, June 9 |
| Proposer’s Day (in-person + virtual) | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EST |
| Initial Questions Due | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST |
| Q&A File Posted by | Wednesday, July 8, 2026 |
| White Papers Due | Friday, July 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST |
| Invitation to Submit Full Proposal | Monday, August 3, 2026 |
| Full Proposals Due | Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST |
| Pitch Day | To be announced |
Applications proceed in two phases. Please review the CFP for full instructions.
Phase 1: White Paper
All eligible applicants must submit a white paper by Friday, July 17 at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Submission page opens Tuesday, June 30.
Download White Paper Instructions & Template
Phase 2: Full Proposal (Invited Applicants Only)
Applicants invited to submit a full proposal will be notified by Monday, August 3. Full proposals will be due Thursday, Sept. 3 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Refer to Section 3.3 of the CFP for full proposal details.
Questions
Questions regarding Solicitation No. 2026-NEMC-02 must be submitted by email to Bionexus@masstech.org with the subject line: "Questions – CFP No. 2026-NEMC-02."
Initial questions must be received by 5:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, July 1 to be included in the Q&A File posted on or before Wednesday, July 8.