Apply to the Microbiome Initiative Accelerator Program!

Deadline December 2, 2022

We invite the Microbiome Initiative and collaborators to apply to the Accelerator Program

A major goal of the Boston University Microbiome Initiative is to promote quantitative interdisciplinary research focused on understanding, controlling and designing microbial ecosystems. Research areas of interest include the dynamics of microbial communities in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, host-associated microbiomes, and artificially engineered microbial consortia, with special emphasis on the underlying physical, biological, and ecological principles and mechanisms underlying microbial community structure and dynamics. To encourage more collaborative research in these areas at Boston University, we are currently soliciting applications for the BU Microbiome Accelerator Program. We strongly encourage applications involving faculty and trainees from members of communities under-represented in microbiome-related disciplines. Trainees for awarded proposals will be appointed as Microbiome Fellows for the duration of the project.


Eligibility and requirements:


  • Proposals must be submitted by a BU Microbiome Initiative Faculty, and can include additional BU collaborators (who are not required to be members of the Initiative)

  • Proposals should include at least one named trainee (student or postdoc). Trainees involved in the proposed research and outreach plans will be eligible to be appointed as Microbiome Fellows (even if their salary is already covered from other sources).

  • Previous fellows are eligible for reappointment, provided they show sufficient accomplishments and potential for further advances. Corresponding proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis.

  • Funding may be used for BU trainees salaries (preferred) or laboratory supplies, but cannot be used for Faculty salaries. Budget for each proposal cannot exceed $40K per PI (or $80K for two PIs).

  • Duration of the projects is expected to be 1 year (with start date in the Spring Semester of 2023)

  • Proposals should include a quantitative component (e.g., data analysis, modeling)

  • Proposals should include a description of how research enabled by the program will facilitate applications for external funding.


Criteria for evaluation of the proposals:

The following criteria will be followed for selecting successful proposals:

  • (i) Is the proposal focused on fundamental microbial ecology questions, with a strong quantitative component?

  • (ii) Does the proposal involve at least one trainee and at least one core member of the Microbiome Initiative. Proposals involving more than one Microbiome Initiative core faculty are encouraged

  • (iii) Does the proposal venture into uncharted territory, and does it have a chance of high-impact results that will lead to publications and external funding?

  • (iv) How will the trainee benefit from the mentorship and from the environment of the Microbiome Initiative?

  • (v) How will the trainees and mentors contribute to activities that would enhance diversity and provide opportunities for outreach in microbiome science?



Please find more information on how to apply here.