COP-16 requested the Executive Secretary to commission an independent scientific study compiling and summarizing existing scientific studies, public research and development funding needs and priorities, as well as research road maps on synthetic biology applications that are relevant to achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. In response to this request, the Secretariat issued notification 2025-070 calling for expressions of interest for the independent, scientific study on synthetic biology. 

The terms of reference for the study are described in the Call for Expression of Interest available on the Secretariat’s website at https://www.cbd.int/secretariat/rfp. Expressions of interest from researchers or teams of researchers from governmental agencies, research and academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations may be sent to secretariat@cbd.int until 13 June 2025.

The Secretariat held an informal explanatory webinar including an overview of the terms of reference for the scientific study, the contractual process and anticipated deadlines on Wednesday, 21 May 2025. A recording of the webinar is available at the following link: How to submit expressions of interest for independent scientific study on synthetic biology

Update (10 June 2025)

To allow for more time to conduct the study, the following updated timeline should be considered. 

For questions or inquiries, please email: secretariat@cbd.int