Apply for the 2025 NTI | bio Next Generation Biosecurity Delegation

NTI | bio is excited to announce the launch of the 2025 Next Generation Biosecurity Delegation application. This year, we will bring a delegation of early-career professionals to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) meetings from December 8 – 12. Through this opportunity, we seek to foster an energized, internationally connected, and diverse network of next-generation leaders working to strengthen global biosecurity.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program participants will have the opportunity to:

• Travel to Geneva, Switzerland to attend the Seventh Session of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the BWC.
• Meet, collaborate, and network with scientists, diplomats, experts, and civil society leaders from around the world.
• Present policy and technical recommendations for strengthening biosecurity globally at a poster session side event.
• Join a growing network of early-career biosecurity professionals.

ELIGLIBILITY AND SELECTION

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 35 (as of the date of submission).
• Have a strong command of written and spoken English (all activities will be conducted in English).
• Complete the application form (including the submission of a poster abstract).

The selection process will focus on identifying the highest quality candidates. The review committee will allow the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance clarity and strengthen writing, but the use of AI tools to generate substantive content in response to the application prompts will result in the applicant’s disqualification.

While all are welcome to apply, preference will be given to individuals who have not previously attended an in-person BWC meeting.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

To apply, please complete the form here. For the purposes of this application, please use the following definition for biosecurity – “policies and practices that protect against the deliberate misuse of biology to cause harm”.

Application materials include:

• Resume – not to exceed two pages
• Answers to the following application questions (250 words max):
  • What is your interest/background in biosecurity?
  • How would this opportunity help advance your career goals?
• An abstract for a poster presentation (500 words or less)

Submission Guidelines for Poster Abstract

Over the past fifty years, the BWC has fostered a shared global responsibility to safeguard biological sciences from misuse, strengthened the norm against biological warfare, and created a platform for cooperation on security obligations. As part of this delegation experience, we will host a poster session to showcase innovative policy proposals and technical initiatives that support the goals of the BWC and contribute to strengthening biosecurity globally.

Your abstract should align with one of the following three themes:

1. International Cooperation and Assistance under Article X
2. Scientific and Technological Developments Relevant to the Convention
3. Confidence-Building, Transparency, Compliance, and Verification

Complete submission guidelines, including formatting and word count requirements, can be found here.

KEY DATES

The application deadline is SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2025, at 11:59PM EDT. 

• August 7, 2025 – Call for Applications Open
• September 7, 2025 – Application Deadline
• Mid-October 2025 – Applicant Notification
• December 8 – 12, 2025 – BWC Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland

If you have questions about this opportunity or the application, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected].