To increase safe scientific capacity, BEP focuses on engaging biological scientists in nations and regions where terrorism, high infectious disease burden, and proliferation of biotechnology and high containment facilities coexist. Depending on the structure of the scientific community and government of the country, BEP makes strategic decisions to determine who and how to engage. While it is often necessary to engage the directors of laboratories and officials within the upper echelons of governmental ministries, BEP works to ensure that scientists at the bench, as well as those involved with biorisk management, are an integral part of BEP activities.
Methods used to engage scientists include, but are not limited to:
- Science and Technology (S&T) Agreements: Foster collaborative R&D and capacity building through bilateral S&T agreements
- Training Grants: Solicit and review proposals to attend training activities, conferences, and workshops around the world to decrease isolation and increase networking, knowledge, and training of best practices in areas of biorisk management or infectious disease research
- Strategic Funding Grants: Solicit and review proposals to carry out research projects, hold conferences and workshops, upgrade facilities to increase security and safety, and further the knowledge of the scientific community concerning biorisk management and infectious disease research
- Research Collaborations: Foster additional joint research projects between scientists in a country of interest and U.S. scientists, or other scientists around the world, often through one of our implementing partners
BEP continually seeks ways to ensure its cooperative R&D engagements are deep and meaningful, that they help build capacity that is currently lacking within the country or region, and that the projects complement activities in-country to address the other pillars of biosecurity engagement.