Positively impacting the world, one local problem at a time
Last year, with the support of the Frederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation, we launched a first-of-its-kind initiative that provided grants to help 2021 iGEM teams take their projects further than ever before. Based on last year’s success, we are excited to continue this program for the 2022 season!
This year we will again select up to 90 iGEM teams, and each team will be granted $2,500 USD.
The goal of the Impact Grant is to support teams that are building upon the past of synthetic biology to create the future of the field, and these grants will empower the iGEM 2022 teams to secure funding for impactful projects in responding to climate change, enhancing human health, improving agriculture production and food security, scaling up the sustainable industrial production, and many other critical challenges.
Apply for the 2022 Team Impact Grant
Applications due by 23:59 UTC on June 20, 2022.
We are so excited to hear about your projects and see all the ways you are making an impact in the world! Here are some examples from last year’s recipients of the iGEM 2021 Team Impact Grant:
Africa
ABSI_Kenya (Kenya) constructed an inexpensive, easy to use, portable device for detecting contaminants in drinking water that could be helpful to people in low and middle-income countries. Bronze Medalist, Community Lab.
AFCM-Egypt (Egypt) designed a deep learning-assisted platform to optimize immunotherapy for patients with triple negative breast cancer. Bronze Medalist, Undergrad Division.
Asia
NU_Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan) developed a novel agent for crude oil bioremediation that can be used directly for the treatment of oil spills in ecologically-sensitive areas. Undergrad Top 10, Nominee Best Environment Project, Nominee Inclusivity Award, Nominee Best Wiki, Nominee Best Sustainable Development Impact, Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
NUS-Singapore (Singapore) created PRYSM – Photo-Regulated Yeast for Synthetic Biology Manufacturing – to boost the agricultural yields of high density urban farms through on-site production of pesticides. 1st Runner-up, Best Manufacturing Project, Best Part Collection, Best Wiki, Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
SZU-China (China) engineered a cocktail of customized, genetically engineered intestinal probiotics as an adjuvant to alleviate the recurrence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Undergrad Top 10, Nominee Best Manufacturing Project, Nominee Best New Basic Part, Nominee Best Software Tool, Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
Europe
DTU-Denmark (Denmark) aimed to reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, by engineering yeast to use methane as a feedstock. Overgrad Top 10, Best Part Collection, Best Model, Gold Medalist, Overgrad Division.
Marburg (Germany) developed a cell-free system to accelerate plant genetic engineering to promote innovation of agricultural crops and other plants that play a major role in world nutrition. Grand Prize Winner, Safety & Security Award, iGEMers' Prize, Best Foundational Advance, Best Education, Best New Basic Part, Best Measurement, Best Software Tool, Best Integrated HP, Best New Composite Part, Best Presentation, Best Sustainable Development Impact, Gold Medalist, Overgrad Division.
TUDelft (Netherlands) created an accessible, rapid diagnostic test for micronutrient deficiencies that could enable resource-limited countries and regions to more effectively address the “hidden hunger” crisis caused by lack of vitamins and minerals. 1st Runner-up, Best Diagnostics Project, Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Gold Medalist, Overgrad Division.
Latin America
Bolivia (Bolivia) created a portable device and bacterial biosensor that enables people to rapidly quantify the arsenic content in potential sources of drinking water, including wells, rivers and lakes that would be dangerous if contaminated by heavy metals. Best Integrated Human Practices, Inclusivity Award, Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
Ecuador (Ecuador) engineered a biopesticide against FOC-TR1, a fungus that threatens banana cultivars worldwide, which could serve a powerful tool to guarantee disease-free, high-quality food for the world. Undergrad Top 10, Best Food & Nutrition Project, Best New Composite Part, Best Model, Best Sustainable Development Impact, Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
FCB-UANL (Mexico) used proteins from a local frog to create an environmentally friendly firefighting foam that could replace foams containing toxic fluorosurfactants for fighting wild fires without contaminating ecosystems or harming wildlife and human populations. Undergrad Top 10, Nominee Best Environment Project, Nominee Best Education, Nominee Best Integrated Human Practices, Nominee Best Model, Nominee Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Nominee Safety & Security Award, Nominee Best Presentation, Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
North America
UPenn (United States) developed “OptoReader”, an affordable open-source device for high-throughput reading, writing, and feedback of optogenetics that enables researchers to conduct new experiments with impact in both basic and applied sciences. Undergrad Top 10, Best Foundational Advance, Best Hardware, Best Presentation, Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
CCA_San_Diego (United States) designed a functional triple-helical collagen that could be used for regenerative medicine as a biomaterial for skin meshes, bone grafts, and artificial organs. High School Top 10, Best Education, Gold Medalist, High School Division.
Lambert_GA (United States) engineered “AgroSENSE”, an agricultural biosensor for accurate and efficient nutrient monitoring and pathogen detection that allows hydroponics growers to proactively adjust system maintenance, ultimately increasing harvest yields and ensuring sustainability for food security. High School Top 10, Best Integrated HP, Gold Medalist, High School Division.
Click here to see the full list of the 90 recipients of the 2021 Team Impact Grant.
We are proud of the accomplishments of these and all of the iGEM teams who are solving the world’s most pressing challenges using biology – one local problem at a time. We believe iGEMers are the future of the synthetic biology field, making a positive impact on their local communities everywhere in the world.
Apply for the 2022 Team Impact Grant
This year’s Impact Grant application is now live here and is due on June 20, 2022! If you have questions about the grant, please contact impact [AT] igem [DOT] org.
About the Frederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation
Research Corporation Technologies established the Frederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation in December 1998 to provide financial support for scientific research and educational programs at qualified nonprofit organizations. Since its formation, the foundation has provided over $50 million in support of selected scientific and educational programs throughout the United States.
Invest in the future by partnering with iGEM, exhibiting at the iGEM Grand Jamboree, or sponsoring iGEM teams. Contact: sponsor [AT] igem [DOT] org.
We are recruiting an Impact Grant Commission to help review grant applications, the commission application is now live here and is due on June 15, 2022!
