ABOUT BIOINNOVATORS
Empowering Young Biotech Researchers & Entrepreneurs
We enable talented 9th–12th graders from around the world to compete in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition — the world's leading synthetic biology and entrepreneurship competition.
BioInnovators teams identify global challenges, design novel biotechnology solutions, and present their work at the annual iGEM conference in Paris, among thousands of peers and experts from around the world.
What Our Members Achieve
Win elite international awards at the iGEM Jamborees
Author professional-level research papers
Develop collaboration, leadership & presentation skills
Qualify for scholarships through the Fellowship & Forge programs
Gain admission to top programs — Penn Wharton, Stanford, MIT, Yale, Princeton
Application Components
Two 500-Word Essays
Academic Transcript
Extracurricular List
Interview
Who Can Apply
9th–12th graders (primary track)
Middle school students
College students
International students welcome
HOW IT WORKS
Program Structure
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Apply
Apply through our site. It's easy!
Interview
If we're interested in your application, we'll invite you for an interview.
Decision
You'll get an acceptance, rejection or waitlist email within two weeks of your interview.
Confirm
If accepted, confirm your spot!
Training
Training (you'll take an online course with materials that help prepare you for the iGEM competition).
Team Matching
Team matching (you'll be placed on an iGEM team that is a strong fit for your skills.) It's possible to join during team formation around February, but many of our applicants join teams already in action. There is still plenty of time to make an impact even in the last few months of the competition (Summer and Fall.)
Team Onboarding
Team onboarding (the team will welcome you and set you up with their tools and platforms.)
Learn & Compete
Learn and compete (study with the team mentors and collaborate with peers to complete the challenges of the iGEM Competition). See more at www.igem.org.
Paris Conference
Decide if you will go with your team to the final Paris conference to present (it's optional)
Results
On October 31st, find out your outcome. (Depending on how your team does, you may win an international medal ranging from Bronze to Gold, to the Grand Prize).
Time Commitment during competition: 2-3 hours per week from February-June, 5-7 hours per week between July and October. Activities consist of team meetings, research assignments, project brainstorming, collaborating on deliverables such as business plans, software and hardware, educational materials, pitch videos, marketing, and stakeholder surveys.
OUR PEOPLE
Meet Our Mentors
Industry leaders and researchers guiding the next generation of biotech innovators.
Andre Watson
Founder and CEO of Ligandal, a genetic medicine company that uses AI-generated peptides to guide nanotechnology-mediated drug and gene delivery systems, to develop predictive targeted delivery systems as the roadway to personalized and precision therapies.
Ellen Jorgensen
A leader in the field of synthetic biology and a passionate believer in the potential of biotechnology to transform the world. She is currently the Director of Research at Carbonbridge, a company that is addressing climate change by sustainable bioproduction of low carbon fuel.
Matteo Da Ros
Senior Scientist at Lonza, contributing expertise in cell-based immunotherapies and platform development. His background encompasses molecular and cellular biology, with over a decade of research and work in academia and biopharma.
OUR COMMUNITY
Gallery
SUPPORT
Frequently Asked Questions
COLLABORATIONS
Our Partners
Partnering with leading institutions and organizations advancing biotechnology worldwide.
CONTACT
Get in Touch
Reach out to us for inquiries at BioInnovators. We'd love to hear from you.