The CARB-X 2026 funding round features four distinct themes as described below.
Direct-acting therapeutics for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria
The scope is restricted to direct-acting therapeutics, defined as molecules whose confirmed activity against a specific bacterial target inhibits viability in in vitro culture. Molecules with non-specific activity against bacterial membranes or nucleic acids are not within scope. Potentiator strategies requiring combination with additional molecules (including, but not limited to, BLIs, efflux inhibitors, membrane permeators) or reliance on host immune mechanisms are not within scope. Applications describing compounds with whole cell activity against Gram-positive bacteria that is mediated through a conserved target also present in Gram-negative bacteria are within scope.
View Target Product Profiles and minimal entry criteria here.
CARB-X Novel Chemistry for AMR Challenge – target-based therapeutics
This funding theme seeks proposals to generate novel chemistry scaffolds with activity against validated bacterial targets. Eligible applications must focus on one of the following five structurally enabled molecular targets: the clinically validated broad-spectrum targets of the ribosome, penicillin-binding proteins, and Type II topoisomerases; and the pre-clinically validated Gram-negative targets LpxH and LolCDE. Applicants must be able to synthesize analogs at sufficient scale to enter a defined biology testing cascade that will be made available to help evaluate the compounds.
View Target Product Profiles and minimal entry criteria here.
Non-vaccine approaches to prevent neonatal sepsis
The scope is restricted to non-vaccine approaches to prevent neonatal sepsis caused by at least one of four key pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Administration to pregnant women and neonates is in scope. For monoclonal antibody applications, the nature of the antigen should be known and included in the application. Projects targeting dual indications, such as a commercially viable indication in addition to neonatal sepsis, will be accepted.
View Target Product Profiles and minimal entry criteria here.
Diagnostics for neonatal sepsis
Consistent with our “Aligned by Design” strategy, we seek rapid, low-complexity triage diagnostics to support the growing portfolio of products to improve the patient care pathway of neonatal sepsis. Time-to-result and cost-of-goods are key criteria, and small sample volumes are critical for this patient population.
View Priority Performance Characteristics and minimal entry criteria here.
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