The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) invite applications for two-year research projects that merge advanced engineering with deep biological inquiry to illuminate the dynamic molecular landscape of health and disease. This request for applications aims to catalyze the development of transformative, biocompatible, minimally invasive technologies capable of real-time, high-resolution profiling of the proteome and metabolome in living tissues.

With a focus on immunology and autoimmune disease, this program seeks to accelerate breakthroughs in precision diagnostics, predictive modeling, and therapeutic discovery. We are particularly interested in proposals that engineer “instrumented tissue” platforms to dynamically monitor immune responses, generate 4D maps of inflammation, and power AI-driven models of cellular behavior. Successful projects will bridge bioengineering, systems biology, and computational science to create scalable, reproducible tools that advance both fundamental research and translational innovation. This is an opportunity to help build the next generation of biomedical technologies that will transform our understanding of the immune system and drive precision interventions for complex diseases.

Grants will be awarded at two levels:

Focused Projects: $500,000 USD total costs (inclusive of up to 15% indirect costs) over 24 months (maximum of $250,000 total costs per year, inclusive of up to 15% for indirect costs) for exploratory, risky technology development strategies; and

Expanded Projects: $1,000,000 USD total costs (inclusive of up to 15% indirect costs) over 24 months (maximum of $500,000 total costs per year, inclusive of up to 15% for indirect costs) for projects that provide end-to-end solutions for live tissue proteomics and/or metabolomics.