International Bio Funders Compact launches in Australia to integrate biosecurity into life science research funding

The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), in partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), has launched the international Bio Funders Compact at the 2024 Global Health Security Conference in Sydney, Australia.

The Compact incorporates biosecurity into the bioscience research funding process to safeguard life science research from accidental or intentional misuse. Joining NTI and CEPI as founding signatories are Sentinel Bio, a new philanthropic fund launching soon, and the Global Health Security Fund.

“The Bio Funders Compact will bring together global funders of life science research who are committed to safeguarding the tools of modern bioscience and biotechnology,” said Jaime Yassif, Ph.D., Vice President for Global Biological Policy and Programs at NTI. 

The Compact will improve global security by strengthening funding-based incentives for scientists and technologists to comply with biosecurity and biosafety best practices, reduce the likelihood that funders will support unduly risky research, and promote a research culture that prioritizes safety and security.

Signatories commit to implement pre-funding biosecurity and biosafety reviews as part of the decision-making processes within the organisation; conduct post-funding assessments of adherence to biosecurity and biosafety best practices among researchers that are funded.