Publications – Requests for Information Responses

Request for Information on Developing a Roadmap for the TIP Directorate at the National Science Foundation

Publication Date: July 2023

EBRC’s response to the request by the NSF for comments on the development of a roadmap to guide investment decisions of the newly formed TIP Directorate. We recommend prioritizing engineering biology research through infrastructure development, data programs, and equitable workforce initiatives to strengthen biotechnology translation and U.S. economic competitiveness. We also highlight the several crosscutting areas for investments where engineering biology overlaps with other TIP areas of interest, such as AI, materials science, climate change, and advanced robotics.
Keywords: TIP Directorate, national security, economic competitiveness, translation, workforce development, climate change, emerging biotechnology, artificial intelligence, microbiome, materials science, infrastructure, data, horizon scanning, sustainability

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Request for Information on Future Topics for Workforce Development in Emerging Technology Career Pathways

Publication Date: June 2023

Response submitted by EBRC Director of Roadmapping and Education, Dr. Emily Aurand, to the request by NSF seeking novel approaches that lead to the recruitment of diverse and creative individuals into emerging technologies. This response provides strategic recommendations to increase the rate and composition of students enrolled in both traditional and non-traditional academic pathways to STEM and high-paying technology careers.

Public Comment on Oligo Synthesis Screening

Publication Date: June 2022

EBRC’s response to the request by HHS ASPR for comments on the Screening Framework Guidance for Providers and Users of Synthetic Oligonucleotides. EBRC convened a two-day workshop with stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to consider the Guidance, and the discussions that ensued formed the basis for this response.

Convention on Biological Diversity 2021 RFI

Publication Date: June 2021

EBRC’s response to the request from the Executive Secretariat to comment on the Convention on Biological Diversity Technical Series on Synthetic Biology to reflect advances in the rapidly growing field. As the regulatory landscape around synthetic biology emerges, it is crucial that these discussions are guided by science and expertise. In our submission, we provide detailed comments solicited and synthesized from our members— an international community of experts in synthetic biology from academia and industry.

NSF RFI on 2022-2026 Strategic Plan

Publication Date: January 2021

EBRC responds to the National Science Foundation’s Request for Information on its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. EBRC addresses i) interests, values, and emerging science and policy issues; ii) US leadership in research and education; and iii) how the Strategic Plan can demonstrate the importance of fundamental research to the Nation.

National Defense Education Program 2021 RFI

Publication Date: August 2020

EBRC’s response to a Request for Information on behalf of the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) from the U.S. Department of Defense for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Research & Engineering). This response: i) details the current status and limitations of the U.S. biotechnochnology education and workforce; ii) describes skillsets and capabilities needed for the future biotechnology workforce; iii) describes existing programs and models that can be leveraged or applied to support biotechnology education and workforce development, and the education levels where this would most impact; iv) recommends how to encourage the participation of minority and under-represented groups in biotechnology; and, v) describes metrics to measure progress and the level of investment necessary to ensure advancement.

HHS RFI on Review and Revision of the Screening Framework Guidance

Publication Date: October 2020

Many synthetic DNA synthesis companies screen their customers and the sequences they order in accordance with Guidance from the US Department of Health and Human Services. However, current guidance was issued in 2010 and thus is out of date. EBRC’s response to this RFI describes important considerations for updating the Guidance.