The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) launches a bilateral pilot call together with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UKRI-BBSRC) for research proposals on the "Integrative Microbiome". This joint funding opportunity invites collaborative research proposals which aim to answer fundamental functional questions related to how phenomena mediated by microbiomes operate. Through building joint UK-German capability and capacity in integrative microbiome research, the BBSRC and the DFG ultimately expect to establish the fundamental knowledge and evidence needed to enable scientifically robust management and utilisation of these complex microbial communities in a range of contexts in the longer term.
Examples of key challenges
- Probing the role of variation and heterogeneity in microbiomes, within and between individuals (single-cell, microfluidics etc.).
- Establishing artificial minimal microbiomes as experimental models in the laboratory to test the effects of perturbations in a controlled context such as gnotobiotic systems, organoids, rhizoboxes and hydroponics.
- Developing an understanding of the integrative microbiome in a dynamic context across a time series including longitudinally and/or intergenerationally.
- Understanding the physical structure of microbiomes and how this influences functional relationships.
The duration of the projects will normally be, and must not exceed, 36 months. Each joint research project must consist of a German and a UK team. Each national team must be led by one principal investigator eligible to apply to the respective funding agency. Applicants in the UK must meet the BBSRC eligibility requirements. Applicants in Germany must meet the eligibility requirements of the DFG’s Research Grants Programme (DFG form 50.01). Funding will follow the funding rules of each individual agency. This bilateral call will be managed via a Lead Agency Procedure. Applicants are expected to agree on a proposed lead agency (either BBSRC or DFG) and state this wish at the expression of interest stage.
The call will be managed in a two-stage application process. The first stage, the submission of an expression of interest, is mandatory; it can be submitted until 10 October 2023. Regardless of which agency is proposed as lead agency for the proposal stage, the expression of interest will be submitted to BBSRC. Proposals are to be submitted by invitation only, following expression of interest feedback.
