New award to switch bioworks, INC. DE-FOA-0003408 - (teosynte sbir/sttr) control number: 3408-1503 project title: ''engineering tunable ammonia release in biofertilizers'' switch bioworks is…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded a $1.999680 million Cooperative Agreement to Switch Bioworks Inc. on August 25, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy program (CFDA 81.135).

Switch Bioworks is developing sustainable alternatives to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers using engineered microbes with tunable ammonia-release mechanisms. The project encompasses three phases: discovery, engineering, and field testing. Work focuses on maximizing root colonization and plant growth promotion of ammonia-releasing strains, ensuring compatibility and synergy for microbial consortia, and engineering controlled ammonia release.

The award obligates $1.999680 million for performance through August 24, 2029, with work performed in San Carlos, California.

New award to switch bioworks, INC. DE-FOA-0003408 - (teosynte sbir/sttr) control number: 3408-1503 project title: ''engineering tunable ammonia release in biofertilizers'' switch bioworks is developing sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers by using engineered microbes with ''switches'' that control ammonia release. The project focuses on maximizing root colonization and plant growth promotion of ammonia-releasing strains, ensuring compatibility and synergy for consortia building, and engineering controlled ammonia release. The project involves rigorous discovery, engineering, and field-testing phases.