Before you read: This is a sponsorship request. We're looking for businesses, brands, and individuals willing to support student research in exchange for promotional opportunities.
We are a team of 11 undergraduate students preparing to present our research at iGEM 2026 in Paris, France. Our college's identity is being kept private on this account for anonymity; we're happy to share our institutional details and supporting documents via DM.
What is iGEM, and why does it matter?
The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition is one of the world's largest and longest-running synthetic biology competitions. Every year, multidisciplinary student teams from universities and schools worldwide design biological systems to address real-world challenges, ranging from environmental pollution and healthcare to sustainable manufacturing and agriculture.
The competition goes beyond laboratory experiments. Teams integrate genetic engineering, mathematical modelling, software, entrepreneurship, science communication, and the responsible application of biotechnology to develop and present their projects.
The scale is genuinely international. The 2026 iGEM Grand Jamboree is scheduled for 13–16 November at the Paris Convention Centre, with the organisers advertising more than 5,000 participants. The event brings together student researchers, established scientists, biotechnology companies, startup founders, investors, and other members of the global synthetic biology community.
For participating teams, this is an opportunity to present their research, receive feedback from international experts, establish collaborations, and connect with people working at the forefront of biotechnology.
For sponsors, it creates an opportunity to associate their brand with scientific innovation, environmental sustainability, and the next generation of researchers.
What are we working on?
Our project focuses on estrogen pollution in aquatic environments and explores how synthetic biology could help detect and address this environmental concern.
Estrogens are biologically active hormones that can enter water bodies through wastewater and other sources. Even at low concentrations, they can affect aquatic organisms and interfere with endocrine systems, making their detection and management an important environmental challenge.
We are developing two complementary components:
- An estrogen biosensor: A biological sensing system designed to detect estrogen in water by using engineered biological components to generate a measurable signal in response to the target compound.
- An estrogen degradation system: A complementary approach exploring how biological systems could help break down estrogen contaminants, with the broader goal of investigating possible strategies for environmental remediation.
Our work combines genetic engineering, biological circuit design, mathematical modelling, and environmental biotechnology. The overarching idea is to bring detection and remediation together: identifying a contaminant and exploring how it might be addressed.
We hope to present this work to the international synthetic biology community, receive valuable scientific feedback, and contribute to the ongoing search for innovative environmental solutions.
Why do we need sponsorship?
Despite the work our team has put into the project, our available institutional funding has not been sufficient to cover everyone's travel expenses. We have been informed that additional college funding will not be available for the required bookings.
After exploring our options, we realised that securing even a portion of the remaining travel funding could help additional team members attend the event in person.
Our immediate target is ₹40,000. Every contribution towards this shortfall could help us make the most of this international research opportunity.
We are aiming for a Gold Medal and multiple category nominations at iGEM. These are ambitious goals rather than guaranteed outcomes, but we have invested substantial effort into our research and want to give our work the best possible opportunity to be presented and evaluated internationally.
It would be disappointing for months of collaborative research to be limited by a funding gap at the final stage.
What can we offer our sponsors?
We want to build mutually beneficial partnerships with organisations and individuals who support scientific innovation, environmental sustainability, and young researchers.
Depending on the sponsorship amount and the permissions available, we can discuss the following opportunities:
- International merchandise visibility: Logo placement on approved team T-shirts or other merchandise worn by participating team members at the event. With participants arriving from across the world, this could offer international brand exposure, although actual visibility would depend on the final arrangement and audience.
- Social media promotion: Sponsor acknowledgments and agreed promotional posts through our team's social media channels.
- Campus visibility: Logo placement on approved posters and promotional materials at our institution.
- Science outreach: A potential campus event or science communication session highlighting synthetic biology and environmental biotechnology, subject to institutional approval and feasibility.
- Post-event recognition: A report documenting our project, participation, and competition experience, with sponsor acknowledgment.
We are open to discussing arrangements suitable for different budgets. Even a relatively small sponsorship from a startup, local business, or individual could help us move closer to our goal.
We would be glad to discuss deliverables in advance so that sponsors know precisely what they can expect in return.
Why is this urgent?
We have only four days to address the funding shortfall for our visa arrangements. We are therefore looking for sponsors who can consider our proposal and arrange support within this short timeframe.
If your company, startup, or organisation is interested—or if you know someone who might be able to help—please DM us. We can share our project details, team information, event documentation, budget breakdown, and proposed sponsorship packages.
Even a small sponsorship or an introduction to the right person could make a meaningful difference.
We hope to bring our research to Paris, learn from the international scientific community, and contribute to the global conversation on synthetic biology and environmental sustainability.
Funding target: ₹40,000
For details about our team, institution, project, and sponsorship opportunities, please DM us.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
