Greg Butchello
Program Officer, Global Biological Policy and Programs
Next Generation for Biosecurity
Fostering the Next Generation of Global Biosecurity Leaders
Challenge
Addressing biological risks requires multi-sectoral expertise and collaboration. However, there is an overall dearth of global experts and limited geographic and gender diversity among these critical sectors including those working in the biosafety and biosecurity field.
Action
Bring together rising young leaders from around the world and across a range of sectors to work together to devise innovative solutions to prevent, detect, and mitigate globally catastrophic biological risks.
Results
An energized, internationally connected, and diverse network of next generation biosecurity leaders who are working to strengthen global biosecurity and reduce the risk of deliberate and accidental catastrophic biological events.
Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition
NTI | bio partners with biosecurity-focused organizations from around the world to host the annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition, which offers professional development opportunities for rising international leaders.
The Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition seeks to:
- Foster the development of a global cadre of diverse, multi-sectoral next generation biosecurity leaders committed to reducing catastrophic biological risks and strengthening biosecurity;
- Create linkages between established global biosecurity experts and next generation leaders;
- Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the global health security, nonproliferation, and biosecurity communities;
- Promote dialogue about the need to bolster international capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to deliberate and accidental catastrophic biological events;
- Raise awareness within the global health security community about emerging biological risks; and
- Strengthen and uphold international biosecurity and biosafety norms and standards.
Since its launch in 2017, the Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition has successfully increased awareness of deliberate and accidental biological risks within the broader global health security community and created opportunities to highlight rising biosecurity leaders. Winners of the competition have hailed from around the world and have presented their unique proposals and ideas at side-events of global fora such as the Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of States Parties and the Global Health Security Agenda Ministerial Meetings.
NTI | bio continues to strive to expand the competition’s geographic reach, the number of submissions, and the diversity of participants. We welcome partnerships with organizations around the world that will help us meet our goals.
Next Generation Delegations
In addition to the competition, NTI | bio builds cohorts of rising leaders in biosecurity and supports their active participation in high-profile, international meetings, such as the Biological Weapons Convention meetings, the Global Health Security Network Conference, and others to facilitate networking and educational opportunities.
To receive information about opportunities for students and early career professionals in the biosecurity, biosafety, and global health security fields, including updates on the Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition and Next Generation Delegations, please complete this interest form.
2025
2025 Next Generation for Biosecurity Challenge: How Do You Define Bioweapons?
As the world marks the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), Next Gen contest participants have an opportunity to move the needle by introducing an updated way for professionals in the field to address the current and emerging threats that bioweapons pose.
Ninth Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Open for Applications
NTI | bio hosts this competition to provide a platform for the next generation of global leaders in biosecurity to develop original concepts and share them with the wider biosecurity community.
Past Event
2025 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Informational Webinar
9AM EDT
CEPI, Brown, NTI Partner with Rising Leaders to Take Biological Threats off the Table
Rising Global South leaders at the Munich Security Conference sign a declaration to integrate biosafety and biosecurity capacity in global health.
2024
Past Event
NTI Side Events at the August 2024 BWC Meetings
Geneva, Switzerland
Introducing the Winners of the 2024 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition
Dozens of students and early-career professionals from 19 countries across five continents entered the 2024 competition, which sought innovative and creative papers focused on how investments in biosecurity can contribute to a more equitable society while also reducing biological risks.
Apply for the 2024 NTI | bio Next Generation Biosecurity Delegation
NTI | bio will bring a 2024 Next Generation Biosecurity Delegation of early-career professionals to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) meetings from August 19 – 23.
Eighth Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Open for Applications
This year, the competition invites innovative and creative papers focused on how investments in biosecurity can both contribute to a more equitable society and reduce biological risks.
Past Event
2024 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition: A Conversation with the Experts
9 AM EDT
2023
Introducing the Winners of the 2023 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition
Gurpreet Dhaliwal, Askar Kleefeldt, and Alexandra Klein have won the seventh annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition.
Past Event
2023 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition: A Conversation with the Experts
Virtual
|
9:00 am - 10:30 am ET
Seventh Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Open for Applications
NTI | bio, the Next Generation for Global Health Security (GHS) Network, the iGEM Foundation, 80,000 Hours, SynBio Africa, and the Global Health Security Network (GHSN) have launched the seventh Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition.
Diverse Voices in International Security: NTI’s Gabby Essix on Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Biosecurity Field
NTI | bio Program Officer Gabby Essix discusses diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the biosecurity field.
2022
NTI | bio Offers Biosecurity Solutions at the Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference
NTI | bio experts contributed to the 9th Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference in Geneva.
Winners of 2022 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Announced
Nicholas Cropper, Shrestha Rath, and Ryan Teo are the winners of the Sixth Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition.
2022 Next Gen for Biosecurity Competition Challenge: Developing New Verification Strategies for the Biological Weapons Convention
Today, leaders preparing for the BWC’s Ninth Review Conference in August are exploring whether the global community can leverage increased attention and political will to strengthen the BWC by building mechanisms that increase transparency and trust with the goal of reducing the risk of global catastrophic biological events. A particular aim is determining whether there are effective and politically viable ways to enforce the treaty.
Past Event
2022 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition: A Conversation with the Experts
11 AM ET
NTI and Partners Launch 6th Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition
NTI | bio, in partnership with the Next Generation for Global Health Security (GHS) Network (NextGen), the iGEM Foundation, SynBio Africa, and the Global Health Security Network (GHSN), are pleased to launch the Sixth Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition.
2021
Winners of 2021 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Announced
NTI | bio Bolsters Young Scientists and Promotes Youth Engagement at the 2021 BWC Meeting of Experts
The side event was co-hosted with organizations developing young talent in the biosecurity space:
2021 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition: What Life Science Research Should Not Be Conducted, If Any? A Conversation with the Experts
2021 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition: What Life Science Research Should Not Be Conducted, If Any? A Conversation with the Experts.
2021 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition: What Life Science Research Should Not Be Conducted, If Any? A Conversation with the Experts
NTI and the Next Generation GHS Network Launch 5th Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition
We are seeking innovative and creative papers for online publication by NTI | bio and the NextGen GHS Network focused on responsible conduct of life science research.
2020
NTI | bio Hosts Side Events on the GHS Index, Biosafety, and Biosecurity in support of the Global Health Security Agenda Ministerial Meeting
NTI and partners hosted virutal side events on using the GHS Index as a guide for responding to COVID-19 and on strengthening biosafety and biosecurity.
Winners of NTI’s 2020 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Announced
NTI along with the Next Generation Global Health Security Network is pleased to announce the winners of the 4th annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition.
Deadline Extended: NTI and the NextGen GHS Network Launch 4th Annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition
NTI | bio and partners have updated this description and extended the deadline of the 2020 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition to August 26, 2020.
2019
NTI | bio Hosts Dialogue on Biosecurity and Emerging Risks at the 2019 BWC Meeting of States Parties
NTI | bio hosted two events designed to discuss steps to fill global gaps in capability to prevent biological events and to reduce biological risks.
NTI | bio Announces the Winners of the 2019 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition
The winning team was selected from papers submitted by students and young professionals from nine countries across four continents.
Deadline of the 2019 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Extended
NTI | bio and partners have extended the deadline of the 2019 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition to October 29, 2019 at midnight EDT.
2018
NTI | bio Announces Winners of Next Generation Competition, Advances Biosecurity Capability during Global Health Security Agenda Ministerial
NTI | bio will join senior officials and experts from around the world to advance global biosecurity capability during the 5th Global Health Security Agenda.
NTI | bio 2018 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition Call for Proposals
NTI | bio and the Next Generation Global Health Security Network announce the 2018 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition.
2017
Winners of NTI’s Next Generation for Biosecurity in GHSA Competition Announced
NextGen experts showcase winning proposals to advance biosecurity during 4th Annual GHSA High Level Ministerial Meeting in Uganda.
Call for Proposals: Next Generation for Biosecurity in GHSA Competition
NTI's Biosecurity Program is partnering with the Next Generation GHS Network to launch a competition in preparation for the 4th Annual High Level GHSA Ministerial Meeting.