Amid calls for better oversight of non-federally funded research, including in the recent Executive Order 14292, “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research,” signed by President Trump, a growing coalition of funders is stepping up to ensure that scientific innovation doesn’t come at the cost of safety and security.
Representatives from influential, non-governmental funding organizations who advance critical life science research around the world met virtually on May 9, 2025 for the second Bio Funders Forum. They gathered to discuss and share perspectives on how best to integrate safety and security considerations into life science research funding decisions.
The Forum, convened by NTI |bio and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), provides a trusted space for funders to discuss challenges and opportunities to safeguard modern biological research. The discussions build on and advance the Bio Funders Compact, a collective commitment to embed biosafety and biosecurity into funding decisions. Together, the Compact and Forum establish a coordinated approach to strengthen oversight in modern biological research and ensure that scientific innovation is pursued responsibly.
Participants discussed how to better protect bioscience research on a wide range of subjects— from risks posed by AI-enabled biotechnologies to the safe handling and storage of dual-use research and enhanced pathogens with pandemic potential. A focus of the conversation was the development and use of risk-benefit frameworks that evaluate the relative risk of proposals by weighing the biological agents involved, the technologies and techniques used, and the research environment against the potential societal impact of the research. Funders shared how they include biosafety and biosecurity reviews in their funding decisions, outlining best practices and helping each other strengthen oversight and improve risk management. Further, NTI previewed a new pre-funding decision framework tool developed with input from leading experts in biosecurity, virology, ethics, and policy. The tool aims to support funders in making informed, risk-aware decisions about high-consequence research, while also being a flexible and agile resource that can be adapted to meet the unique needs of particular research funders.
The group discussed how they are approaching risks from AI-enabled biodesign tools—systems trained on biological data to provide insight, predictions, and designs. The funders recognized these tools’ potential to accelerate discovery and stressed the need for equitable access. At the same time, they emphasized the importance of responsible use to ensure the advanced capabilities are harnessed by life science, public health, and biosecurity communities to prevent catastrophic accidents or malicious misuse.
NTI | bio, in partnership with CEPI, remains committed to advancing safe and secure biological research. Through the Bio Funders Forum, NTI | bio will continue to equip funders with tools, strategies, and resources to foster responsible innovation while protecting public health and security. The BFC was launched in June 2024, with inaugural signatories CEPI, Global Health Security Fund, and Sentinel Bio.
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