EIC Pathfinder Challenge: DNA-based digital data storage
HORIZON EIC Grants
Basic Information
- Identifier
- HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-05
- Programme
- EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2022
- Programme Period
- 2021 - 2027
- Status
- Closed (31094503)
- Opening Date
- June 16, 2022
- Deadline
- October 19, 2022
- Deadline Model
- single-stage
- Budget
- €167,000,000
- Min Grant Amount
- €500,000
- Max Grant Amount
- €2,500,000
- Expected Number of Grants
- 50
- Keywords
- ScienceChemistryGenetically modified organismsArchitecture - CultureGenetic engineeringPhysics of biological systemsArtificial IntelligenceData integritySynthetic biology, chemical biology and new bio-enBig dataPhysical chemistry of biological systemsBiological sciencesBioremediation, diagnostic biotechnologies (DNA chComputational biologyBiophysicsDNA synthesis, modification, repair, recombinationMicrofluidicsApplied genetic engineering, transgenic organisms,HealthVery large data basesMicrobiologyEnvironmental monitoring systemsData engineeringCell biology, MicrobiologyComputer sciences, information science and bioinfoBiostatisticsEnvironmental biotechnologyNew technologies for Audio-Visual sector - MediaBacteriologyDigital watermarkingMaterials for sensorsInformation systemsDigital dataComputingInternet of ThingsComputer and information sciencesImaging, image and data processingBiologyLife sciencesMetadataDigital AgendaData Science and Data AnalyticsMolecular biologyData curationUnconventional computingBiochemistrySteganographyBioinformatics, biocomputing, and DNA and moleculaPATHFINDERCHALLENGESPATHFINDER CHALLENGES
Description
Current technologies for digital data storage are hitting sustainability limits in terms of energy consumption and their use of rare and toxic materials. Moreover, data integrity when using those technologies is limited in time, which complicates archival data-storage. DNA or certain classes of synthetic DNA alternatives provide an alternative that promises information densities that are several orders of magnitude higher than classical memories, and stability for millennia rather than years. Moreover, DNA-based data storage can profit from the growing range of DNA research, tools and techniques from the life sciences, while potentially also adding to it (e.g., for in-vivo data collection).
Proof of concept for DNA data archiving in vitro (i.e. not in living cells) is now well established. Several studies have shown that such archiving can support selective and scalable access to data, as well as error-free storage and retrieval of information. However, technical challenges remain to make this process economically viable for a broad spectrum of uses (beyond so-called ‘cold data’) and data types. These relate to improving the cost, speed and efficiency of technologies for reading, and especially writing and editing, DNA or other information-storing bio-polymers.
Large corporates and governments are starting to show an interest and some smaller companies offer solutions for specific archival applications. Europe has academic and commercial potential in this area. The time is right to pull together a European R&I ecosystem on DNA-based digital data storage.
This EIC Pathfinder Challenge is to explore scalable and reliable high-throughput approaches for using DNA as a general data-storage medium. Solutions would thus need to address the read/write/edit operations of digital data in synthetic DNA, capturing the expected advantages of high density and stability/longevity of this form of data storage. The use of DNA sequences as chassis for non-standard forms of information coding, or of other polymeric substrates and related coding/decoding techniques are also in scope, provided they entail at least similar benefits than state-of-the-art DNA approaches. Proposed techniques should deliver qualitative advances in key parameters such as throughput, DNA-length (well above a few hundred mers), reliability (coupling efficiency), speed and cost. Beyond the usual storage applications, there is also scope for radically different scenarios for such a technology, for instance for data-processing, in-vivo sensing or fingerprinting.
Applications submitted to this Challenge, must pay particular attention to the relevant bio-safety and ethical issues.
Specific objectives
The following specific objectives for this Challenge have been defined:
- new approaches for coding, decoding, modification or computational use of digital data in synthetic DNA or other sequence-controllable polymers with quantitative targets (theoretical and technological);
- Proof-of-Concept of technical feasibility with indications of at least state of the art benefits and major operational characteristics (e.g., extreme densities, longevity, stability) and going well beyond for some of them (e.g., speed, cost, accuracy);
- end-to-end scenarios of use, be it for data storage (archival, but also shorter term storage) or other purposes (like sensing, cryptography or computation) that exploit the benefits of the technology.
Expected outcomes and impacts
Proposals should contribute to achieving one or several of the following:
- a range of new techniques with clear benefits and steps towards widening scope of applicability of DNA-based data storage;
- broader range of scenarios and uses for DNA-based data technologies;
- emergence and anchoring of a European innovation eco-system on DNA-based data technologies and applications, including through involvement of relevant partners and end-users;
- contribution to standardisation in the field and benchmarks to gauche progress.
Specific conditions
Proposals for this Challenge can be submitted by single applicants or by consortia, as dictated by the activities to be performed.
For more details, see the EIC Work Programme 2022 and Challenge Guide for this topic (available on call opening).
Cross-cutting Priorities:Artificial Intelligence
Digital Agenda
Eligibility & Conditions
1. Admissibility conditions: In order to apply, your proposal must meet the general eligibility requirements (see Annex 2) as well as possible specific eligibility requirements for a specific Challenge. Please check for particular elements (e.g. specific application focus or technology) (Please see TOPIC DESCRIPTION above).
The EIC Pathfinder Challenges support collaborative research and innovation from consortia or proposals from single legal entities established in a Member State or an Associated Country (unless stated otherwise in the specific challenge chapter). In case of a consortium your proposal must be submitted by the coordinator on behalf of the consortium that includes at least two independent legal entities. Consortia of two entities must be comprised of independent legal entities from two different Member States or Associated Countries. Consortia of three or above entities follow standard rules i.e. they must include at least one legal entity established in a Member State and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries (see Annex 3). The legal entities may for example be universities, research organisations, SMEs, start-ups, natural persons. In the case of single beneficiary projects, mid-caps and larger companies will not be permitted.
Your proposal will only be evaluated if it is admissible and eligible. The standard admissibility and eligibility conditions are detailed in Annex 2 and the eligibility of applicants from third countries in Annex 3 of the EIC Work Programme 2022.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Sections 1 to 3 of the part B of your proposal, corresponding respectively to the award criteria Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation, must consist of a maximum of 25 A4 pages. Excess pages will be automatically made invisible, and will not be taken into consideration by the evaluators. Please also consult Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2022.
2. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex 2 of the EIC Work Programme 2022.
3. Evaluation and award:
Submission and evaluation processes: described in Section II.2 of the EIC Work Programme 2022 and the Online Manual.
Award criteria, scoring and thresholds: described in Section II.2 of theEIC Work Programme 2022.
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Section II.2 of theEIC Work Programme 2022.
You will be informed about the outcome of the evaluation within 5 months from the call deadline (indicative), and, if your proposal is accepted for funding, your grant agreement will be signed by 8 months after call deadline (indicative).
4. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Please refer to the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) used for EIC actions under Horizon Europe
Call document and annexes:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Standard Application Form (EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2022)
Model Grant Agreement (MGA) used for EIC actions under Horizon Europe
Additional documents:
EU Financial Regulation 2018/1046
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms & Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Template for essential information to be provided for proposals including clinical studies
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