Request for Information (RFI) on Identifying Basic Research Challenges to Accelerate United States Biotechnology Leadership

The Department of Energy Office of Science, under the Biological and Environmental Research program, issued Request for Information 892431-26-RFI-0003 on September 24, 2026. This RFI is intended for market research to identify critical basic research challenges and scientific bottlenecks necessary to transition from descriptive biology to predictive biosystems design. The initiative focuses on three primary science objectives: translating genetic code into biochemical functions, designing cells and metabolic pathways to control cellular operations, and developing multi-scale computational models to predict the performance of plants and microorganisms. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the production of bio-advantaged materials, chemicals, and fuels to strengthen United States biotechnology leadership. Interested stakeholders are requested to provide succinct responses not exceeding two pages in a machine-readable PDF format by October 15, 2026. Submissions should address near-term scientific bottlenecks occurring within three to five years, missing capabilities for scaling biosystems design, high-priority industrial application areas, and effective models for public-private partnerships. Responses must include the organization name and a point of contact and should be submitted to the DOE Biotech Input email with the specified subject line. This RFI is for planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a contract; furthermore, the DOE will maintain unlimited rights to all submitted information, and no proprietary or classified data should be included.