Biosensing

The Biosensing program, a part of the Engineering Biology and Health cluster, is an initiative promoting significant engineering research specifically in monitoring, identification and quantification of biological analytes and phenomena. Aside from the Biosensing program, this cluster also encompasses the Biophotonics program, the Cellular and Biochemical Engineering program, the Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering program, and the Engineering of Biomedical Systems program.

The focal point of the Biosensing scheme is to nurture innovations and advancements at the intersection of engineering, life sciences, and information technology for the betterment of both engineering and life sciences sectors. Proposals that could further develop biosensing technology and cater to critical sensor requirements in biomedical research, public health, food safety, agriculture, forensics, environmental protection, and homeland security are highly encouraged.

Proposals are particularly solicited in many critical areas. These include sensing technologies to monitor for new infectious agents, platform technologies for rapid sensor deployment, adaptive or multiplex sensing technologies to prevent the spread of pandemics. Specific interests revolve around designing novel biorecognition elements, developing adaptive biosensing systems and combining biosensors with artificial intelligence. However, proposals outside these areas may also be entertained but it's advised for the PI (Primary Investigator) to first consult the program director.

Proposals that rely on descriptive approaches, circuit design for signal processing and amplification, computational modeling, and microfluidics for sample separation would not be given priority under this program. Also, projects related to water/soil quality, photonic devices with medical imaging, applications of devices for tissue engineering, basic chemical/biochemical sensing mechanisms, and dynamic biosensing systems have specific programs to cater to them.

In CBET (Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems) programs, proposers need to highlight how their work is novel and transformative compared to previous work. Single-investigator awards under these programs typically last up to three years and the budgets generally include support for one graduate student and up to one month of PI's time per year.

The CBET program also supports Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program proposals with an award duration of 5 years. The submission deadline for Engineering CAREER proposals is in July every year. Proposals for Conferences, Workshops, and Supplements, as well as Rapid Response Research (RAPID), Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), and Grants for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) are also considered and encouraged. However, the PIs are advised to discuss with the program director prior to submission.

For compliance, the proposers need to make sure their proposals are in tune with the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), or else they will be returned without review.