HR001121S0035: Environmental Microbes as a BioEngineering Resource (EMBER)
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2027 (DARPARA2701). Status: Closes January 13, 2027 (67 days left). It is in our archive of DARPA - Biological Technologies Office notices from 2021.
DARPA - Biological Technologies Office offered grants to the applicants described in the notice. Applications closed on September 27, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed July 13, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement, Grant, Other, Procurement Contract
Key dates
| Posted | July 13, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | September 27, 2021 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | October 27, 2021 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal that shall be considered by DARPA. See the Eligibility Information section of the BAA for more information.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Most of the program's money (93% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The Environmental Microbes as a BioEngineering Resource (EMBER) program aims to develop novel, bio-based technologies to overcome key challenges facing domestic supply of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) critical to the U.S. and Department of Defense (DoD). The EMBER program will leverage the diversity, specificity, and customizability of environmental microbiology to enable new biomining methods for separation, purification, and conversion of REEs into manufacturing-ready forms. Microbes (and/or biomolecules), including those from extreme or metal-rich environments, can be biologically engineered or adapted to bind, assimilate, and manipulate individual REEs. These biological components, once developed, may be assembled into an in-line separation, purification, and recovery workflow resulting in individual, purified REEs. Scalability of EMBER’s approach will be demonstrated with proof-of-concept, pilot scale studies aligned with existing mining/waste treatment infrastructure.
Who has won Research and Technology Development grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Research and Technology Development (12.910) awarded $1.5 billion across 739 grant awards, an average of $2.1 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | California | 26 | $84.5 million |
| Clemson University | South Carolina | 2 | $82.2 million |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts | 29 | $63.1 million |
| Regents of the University of Michigan | Michigan | 21 | $59.6 million |
| The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco | California | 5 | $44.4 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, DARPARA2701, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is HR001121S0035 still open?
No. It closed on September 27, 2021. A newer notice is open: DARPARA2701, closes January 13, 2027 (67 days left).
Who can apply for Environmental Microbes as a BioEngineering Resource (EMBER)?
DARPA - Biological Technologies Office accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Environmental Microbes as a BioEngineering Resource (EMBER)?
Closed September 27, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
Who has won Research and Technology Development grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were University of Southern California, Clemson University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The program made 739 awards worth $1.5 billion in that time.