The Biocodex Microbiota Foundation has officially announced its open call for applications for the 2026 USA research grant, offering $50,000 to a U.S.-based investigator. This initiative, marking the tenth anniversary of the grant program, aims to support innovative research into the gut microbiota and its implications for human health and disease. Applications are available on the Foundation’s website, with a submission deadline set for May 22, 2026.
Since its establishment in 2017, the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation has demonstrated a commitment to advancing microbiome research, having allocated a total of $500,000 in grants to support early-career researchers across the United States. The theme for this year’s grant, “Harnessing the Gut Microbiome: Impacts on Health, Disease, Diagnosis and Therapeutics,” emphasizes the exploration of innovative approaches to understanding disease mechanisms and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
The research supported by the grant will address a wide array of conditions, from autoimmune and inflammatory diseases to metabolic and neuropsychiatric disorders. The award is open to both new and ongoing studies and is intended for researchers seeking to establish themselves as independent investigators.
Marie-Emmanuelle LeGuern, Chairman of the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation, highlighted the importance of this funding in fostering early-career talent. “Grants from the Foundation reinforce our commitment to early-career researchers and their innovative projects,” she stated. LeGuern noted the transformative potential of microbiome research, which is paving the way for groundbreaking diagnostic and therapeutic advancements.
Past recipients of the grant have explored diverse topics, including the impact of the microbiome on cancer immunotherapy responses. One notable example is Dr. Leah Beauchamp, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. In her recent research, Dr. Beauchamp investigates the gut microbiome’s bidirectional relationship with the brain in the context of Parkinson’s disease. She emphasized the grant’s significance, stating, “This grant provides me with the resources to continue and expand our work at the gut–brain interface in Parkinson’s disease.”
Applications for the 2026 grant must be submitted via email to [email protected] by the established deadline. The Foundation will not consider late or incomplete applications, nor those that do not meet the program criteria.
The Biocodex Microbiota Foundation’s grant program is part of a broader global initiative aimed at accelerating microbiome research and translating scientific discoveries into improved health outcomes. The applications will be evaluated by a scientific board that includes esteemed professionals such as Dr. Ruth Ann Luna from Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Mindy Engevik from the Medical University of South Carolina, and Dr. Erica Sonnenburg from Stanford University.
In addition to the annual USA Call for Projects, the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation engages in several global initiatives aimed at enhancing microbiome science. These include the Gut Microbiota International Grant, which funds large-scale international research projects, and the Microbiota & Women’s Health International Grant, designed to support outstanding female researchers in the field.
For further details on the USA Call for Projects or other programs, interested parties can visit the Biocodex Microbiota Foundation’s official website or contact the organization directly.
