S. 2695: Synthetic Biology Advancement Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Synthetic Biology Advancement Act of 2025, proposes the establishment of a National Synthetic Biology Center under the Department of Agriculture. The main objectives of this center are to foster innovation in agricultural practices through synthetic biology, which involves using biological systems to develop products and solutions for food and agriculture. Below is a summary of key aspects of the bill:

Purpose of the Bill

The bill states that the application of synthetic biology is vital for:

• Enhancing national security and economic prosperity.
• Improving the capacity of the U.S. to support global food and energy needs.
• Advancing productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
• Addressing challenges related to food security and agricultural resilience.

Establishment of the National Synthetic Biology Center

The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with relevant federal agencies, will create the National Synthetic Biology Center. This center will:

• Award competitive grants to eligible institutions such as universities and research facilities.
• Serve as a hub for developing solutions grounded in synthetic biology to enhance agricultural performance and sustainability.

Partnerships and Collaboration

The Center will foster collaboration by providing grants to eligible institutions to work with various entities including:

• Nonprofit organizations
• State entities
• National Laboratories
• Other educational institutions

Grant Application and Use of Funds

Institutions seeking grants must submit applications that outline:

• Innovative uses of synthetic biology technology to solve current agricultural challenges.
• Plans to help educate agricultural community stakeholders about synthetic biology.
• An approach to enhance food production systems through sustainable practices.
• Monitoring and evaluation strategies for implemented solutions.

Grant recipients can use funding for:

• Research and advancements in biotechnology as applied to food science.
• Collaborative projects to develop new crops and improve plant and animal resilience.
• Utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop synthetic biological solutions.

Funding Provisions

The bill allocates:

• $5 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for grant awards.
• $1 million annually for the administration and operations of the Center.

Accountability and Reporting

The Center will be required to submit reports to Congress every two years, which will detail:

• Research findings funded by the Center.
• Progress of innovations developed through grants.
• Assessment of each grant recipient’s success in enhancing agricultural efficiency.

Website and Coordination

The Center must establish an online portal for sharing findings and connecting researchers and innovators. It will also work to coordinate innovation efforts among various sectors involved in synthetic biology and agriculture.

Relevant Companies

• BIOL - This company focuses on biotechnology solutions that could benefit from advancements in synthetic biology for agriculture.
• CELG - A company involved in the production of agricultural-related biotech products might engage with synthetic biology advancements.