The OpenPlant Fund is now open to proposals for innovative, open and interdisciplinary projects relevant to plant or in vitro Synthetic Biology. Projects run for six months and can include biological research, hardware prototyping, software, outreach, policy work and training.

For this round applications focused on training and knowledge exchange are especially encouraged.

The deadline is 24 Nov 2017 for projects led from University of Cambridge or Norwich Research Park with external collaborators welcome.

Apply now by 24 Nov 2017 >>>

Download: Poster | Info Sheet

Each successful project will receive up to £5k, with £4k up front and an additional £1k for follow-on and outreach after reporting. PhD students and postdocs are particularly encouraged to apply.

A wealth of tools, technologies and methodologies have been developed for plant and cell free Synthetic Biology, including those developed through OpenPlant, the OpenPlant Fund, the Biomaker Challenge and complementary efforts. In the current OpenPlant Fund call, we are encouraging applications for projects that will provide training or knowledge exchange to broaden the use of plant and cell-free synthetic biology tools, techniques and technologies. Information about previous OpenPlant Fund projects are available on www.biomaker.org.

For more information see https://www.openplant.org/fund/ and join the upcoming mixer event on Thursday 9 Nov 2017. If you are interested in submitting a proposal or have any questions, please email colette.matthewman@jic.ac.uk.

Want to learn more and find collaborators?

OpenPlant Fund mixer and a light-hearted look at training!
4pm on Thursday 9 November, The Rec Centre Bar, John Innes Centre, Norwich
RSVP to this event here >>

This event provides an introduction to the opportunities and a chance to present your initial proposals and to meet potential collaborators over drinks and pizza. We will also have a light-hearted look at training, including different models and effective communication of technical details. Come along to learn some tips and tricks in this fun and informative training session, and to network and meet potential collaborators. More details to follow.

Cafe Synthetique: Towards engineering circadian rhythms
6pm on Monday 20 November, The Panton Arms, 43 Panton Street, Cambridge
RSVP to this event here >>

Help will be on hand to answer any questions you might have as the deadline for applications approaches and to find last minute partners for your teams!

Eligibility

Applicants should be graduate students or postdoctoral workers at the University of Cambridge, the John Innes Centre or The Sainsbury Laboratory. The team must be interdisciplinary, must contain members from both Norwich and Cambridge and may contain external collaborators of any type. Applicants must have agreement from their research supervisor and cost-code sponsor that the proposed project and management of the allocated funding will fit with their existing work. All proposals must lead to tangible, publicly documented and open outcomes, which could include (but are not limited to) the following:

Design files and prototype for a hardware project
Software development and documentation
White paper arising from a workshop
Educational resource
Synthesis and sharing of useful DNA parts or vectors.

For more information and to apply see the OpenPlant Fund webpage