Long-term exposure, biomarkers, and dosimetry
Blueprint Biosecurity is seeking proposals across 10 technical areas to better characterize the safety profile of far-UVC
Far-UVC, which is typically emitted at 222 nm, is a promising tool for reducing concentrations of infectious airborne pathogens in occupied indoor spaces. When ventilation and filtration alone cannot achieve the desired levels of infectious aerosol reduction, far-UVC may serve as a complementary air treatment technology.
Research to date has demonstrated its ability to inactivate a wide range of pathogens, while its limited penetration into the outermost layers of the skin and eyes suggest it may be suitable for use in occupied indoor spaces. However, additional research is needed to better understand the safety of continuous exposure in the built environment.
The aim of this RFP is to generate the empirical evidence needed to resolve existing safety questions to inform the potential wider deployment of far-UVC.
We invite Expressions of Interest from groups to investigate the following areas:
We welcome submissions from teams with expertise in photobiology, ophthalmology, dermatology, occupational health, photochemistry, dosimetry, indoor air quality, and related fields.
For applicants interested in advancing this work but without prior experience in far-UVC, we will make reasonable efforts to arrange relevant expert support if they are selected for an award.
Long-term exposure, biomarkers, and dosimetry
Conjunctival effects, irritation, and dry eye
Age, skin type, medications, and compromised skin
We have included expected proposal values for each technical area below. These guidelines represent our best estimate for the maximum amount that a successful study may need to address these key questions.
Depending on proposal quality, cost-effectiveness, and available funding, we may not make an award for every Technical Area, or we may make multiple awards in some Technical Areas. Potential awards are anticipated to range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 per Technical Area. Applicants may request up to the full amount indicated for a Technical Area but may not exceed it.
We particularly value speed of execution, and we have a preference for proposals that reasonably aim to achieve their stated deliverables within 24 months or sooner. We recognize that the multi-year human exposure study (Technical Area 1) is an exception to this timeline, where longer timelines are expected and encouraged.
The full RFP below covers all ten Technical Areas across the three groups: Improved General Characterization, Eye Safety, and Skin Safety. It includes the background, scope, general eligibility requirements, anticipated awards, and additional specific research questions for every Technical Area.
If only one group or Technical Area is relevant to your expertise, you do not necessarily need to read the full RFP. Each group has a dedicated webpage featuring important group-specific information covering its Technical Areas. Visit the Improved General Characterization, Eye Safety, or Skin Safety pages to learn more or go directly to the corresponding section of the full RFP.
For those newer to the field, our Blueprint for Far-UVC offers an in-depth review of the technology, the existing evidence base, and Blueprint's recommendations for advancing the field.
All Groups and Technical Areas are currently open.
Deadlines for Expressions of Interest (EOI) and total available funding vary according to group and Technical Area. See the table below for specific deadlines and total available funding.
| # | Technical Area | Group | Total Area Funding | EOI Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multi-year human exposure study | General | $2,000,000 | August 28, 2026 |
| 2 | Standardizing biomarkers of acute biological effects | General | $500,000 | August 28, 2026 |
| 3 | Real-world dosimetry | General | $500,000 | August 28, 2026 |
| 4 | Conjunctival effects and eye surface assessment | Eye Safety | $750,000 | September 18, 2026 |
| 5 | Mechanisms of far-UVC-associated eye irritation | Eye Safety | $750,000 | September 18, 2026 |
| 6 | Dry eye and ocular surface disease | Eye Safety | $750,000 | September 18, 2026 |
| 7 | Age-related variation and thinner-skin populations | Skin Safety | $600,000 | October 9, 2026 |
| 8 | Skin type and melanin effects | Skin Safety | $750,000 | October 9, 2026 |
| 9 | Photosensitizing medications | Skin Safety | $600,000 | October 9, 2026 |
| 10 | Wound and disrupted-skin exposure | Skin Safety | $750,000 | October 9, 2026 |
Applicants interested in this work are required to submit an EOI summarizing their proposed approach. We encourage applicants to propose creative, rigorous methods for achieving the study objectives and to clearly explain how their approach will generate decision-relevant results. We prefer proposals that can reasonably achieve their stated deliverables within 24 months or less. Technical Area 1, which involves a multi-year human exposure study, is an explicit exception, as a longer timeline is inherent to the work.
All EOI submissions should be emailed to safe-uvc@blueprintbiosecurity.org.
Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the stated deadline.
Format and length:
Whether or not you use the provided template, your Expression of Interest must include:
Following the review of EOIs, selected applicants will receive a Notice of Recommendation and be invited to submit a Full Proposal within three weeks of notification.
A Full Proposal will consist of a technical section and a cost section. Templates and additional guidance will be provided to selected applicants.
Please email all administrative, technical, and contractual questions to safe-uvc@blueprintbiosecurity.org. Questions about this program that are sent elsewhere may not receive a response. All questions must be submitted in English and include the sender's name, email address, and telephone number for follow-up.
When we determine that a response would be helpful to all parties interested in the RFP, we may post the question and answer in a public FAQ on our website. Questions may be paraphrased as needed to protect applicant information.