Germany launches AI and biotechnology challenge for circular economy

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment and the Federal Agency for Leap Innovations (SPRIND) have launched a joint challenge to advance industrial biotechnology through artificial intelligence. The initiative seeks teams that can use AI to manage complex communities of microorganisms to biodegrade waste and transform residues into chemicals and new materials.

While single microorganism strains are commonly used, microbial communities are more robust and capable of handling fluctuating raw material qualities, such as old tires, textiles, or construction materials. However, these communities are difficult to control, a challenge the competition aims to solve using AI to make them predictable and manageable. The Federal Ministry for the Environment is funding this challenge with 30 million euros through 2029. Applications are open until November 16, 2026.