The Department of Defense (DoD) will provide $87 million in funds over seven years to establish the BioIndustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem as a new manufacturing innovation institute.
BioMADE, which was formed by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, will be based at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul and will work with public and private organizations to develop bioindustrial manufacturing tech platforms.
Michael Kratsios, acting undersecretary of defense for research and engineering and U.S. chief technology officer, said DoD is committed to securing the U.S. bioindustrial base and promoting biotech innovation.
“Through today’s award, we are pleased to work with new partners to accelerate the Department’s biotechnology modernization and the development of this field which is so critical to our Nation’s future security and prosperity,” added Kratsios, a 2020 Wash100 Award winner.
Funds from DoD will be matched with $187 million in funding from non-federal sources, including 57 universities and colleges and 31 companies.
BioMADE will further develop foundational technologies, advance industrywide standards and tools, advance education and workforce development and support the growth of supply chain intermediaries.
