Before you apply
CARB-X welcomes applications from around the world for funding and support for the early development of antibiotics, diagnostics, vaccines and other products to combat the most serious drug-resistant bacteria. Please read the information on these pages carefully before submitting your application. Applications must be submitted using the secure Apply Online link above on the right. The Apply Online link functions only during the application period for each round.
Who can apply for CARB-X funding?
- CARB-X welcomes applications from around the world
- Projects must be in CARB-X’s scope. CARB-X focuses on the treatment and prevention of high priority drug-resistant bacteria, primarily Gram-negative, and limits its support to antibiotics and other therapeutics, prevention approaches e.g. vaccines, microbiome and antibodies, and rapid diagnostics (pathogen ID/AST) which are in early development
- Projects must also be within the scope of the specific funding round for which the application is made. Specific funding scope can vary from round to round
- Applicants must have a legal entity
- Product developers (PDs) must have appropriate operations or capabilities in place to support product development, particularly through the development stages in scope for CARB-X
- PDs must be able to contribute to the cost of the project (“cost share”) during all contractual stages – base (initial) period and each option period.
- For Therapeutic and Preventative projects, the minimal cost-share requirement is as follows
- 10% for the Hit-to-Lead, Lead Optimization and Pre-clinical (IND-Enabling) stages
- 20% for the Phase 1stage
- For Diagnostic projects, the minimal cost-share requirement is as follows
- 10% for the Feasibility Demonstration, Optimization & Prep for Development and Product Development stages
- 20% for the System Integration and Testing stage
- Prior to completion of the CARB-X subaward negotiations with Boston University, PDs must 1) secure cost share funds for the base (initial) stage of the project and 2) be a ‘going concern’ or have a viable strategy to achieve/maintain financial sustainability
- For Therapeutic and Preventative projects, the minimal cost-share requirement is as follows
- At the time of submission of a Long Form application, if the applicant does not yet fully own the intellectual property supporting the project submitted to CARB-X, the applicant must have, as a minimum, an executed option agreement or letter of intent with any third parties from which they are seeking to access rights to the core intellectual property.
- At the time of execution of a sub-award (contract) with CARB-X/BU however, applicants must own or have rights to the intellectual property through an executed license or asset purchase agreement and reasonable expectation of freedom to operate required to carry out the project
- Applicants must be able to comply with UK NC3R requirements and US regulatory requirements for animal and human subjects research
How the CARB-X application process works
CARB-X projects are selected through a competitive process. Applications are vetted by the CARB-X Advisory Board, comprised of leading antibiotic drug development, vaccine, antibody and diagnostic professionals including experts in other modalities such as phage, microbiome and other non-traditional approaches. The Advisory Board operates under non-disclosure agreements.
Funding of applications is decided by CARB-X’s governing board, the Joint Oversight Committee (JOC), taking into account the recommendations from the Advisory Board. Projects must be in scope, and CARB-X reserves the right to use its judgment in determining whether an applicant has the necessary scientific, business and operational capabilities.
CARB-X receives many applications and we strive to make the best decisions as quickly as possible at each stage of the process. The entire process – from Expression of Interest (EOI) to a final funding decision – will take approximately eight months, followed by negotiation of a final award contract. The contracts are administered through Boston University.
Click here to read the CARB-X Research Subaward Agreement
How CARB-X project support works
CARB-X provides financial, scientific and business support to accelerate the development of products focused on the most serious drug-resistant bacteria identified by the WHO and CDC. The goal is to support them through the early stages of product development and Phase 1 so they can attract private or public investment for further clinical stage development.
Part of the funds may be provided through our partnership with the UK’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) to support the economic development and welfare of developing countries through the ‘Official Development Assistance’ (ODA) program. For more information about what projects might qualify for ODA funding, please click here.
Funded companies are required to meet high standards in all their research and business activities, including in animal and human testing, reporting and compliance. For more information about Research Compliance, please click here.
CARB-X is unique in that, in addition to funding, it provides scientific and business support through the CARB-X Global Accelerator Network, a group of accelerators from around the world each specialized in areas that are essential to product development. For more information about the Global Accelerator Network, please click here.
- For specific questions about the application process, scope of funding or contractual requirements, please contact carbxapp@bu.edu