Training Course on Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity
As biotechnology advances at an unprecedented pace, the dual-use dimensions of biological research have become a central concern for the international community. Ensuring that scientists, laboratory professionals, and policymakers are equipped to navigate the intersection of innovation, biosafety, and arms control is increasingly essential to global health security.
To address this need, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU) will co-organize the 2026 BWC Training Course on “Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity,” taking place 12–16 October 2026 in New Delhi, India. The intensive five-day program is funded through voluntary contributions from Norway in support of Article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
The training is designed to strengthen capacities in biosecurity, biosafety, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology. It takes an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to managing biological threats at the intersection of humans, animals, plants, and the environment. The curriculum addresses the governance, technical, and operational dimensions of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with Article X of the BWC.
The course is open to early- and mid-career scientists from countries included on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) List of ODA Recipients. Eligible applicants should hold a professional background in virology, microbiology, or a related biological science, with demonstrated hands-on experience in molecular biology or pathogen diagnostics. Applicants must currently work in at least a BSL-2 laboratory or equivalent facility, and have practical experience with PCR, diagnostic equipment, and related materials. A working knowledge of English is required. Female applicants are encouraged to apply.
Selected participants will receive financial support for air travel and a daily subsistence allowance in accordance with United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules. Participants are responsible for arranging their own health and travel insurance. States Parties to the BWC are requested to inform the BWC ISU of their endorsed nominees by means of a note verbale.
For professionals working in biosecurity, biological arms control, or laboratory-based public health, this course offers a rare opportunity to engage with the policy and technical dimensions of the BWC in a structured training environment. The program’s focus on dual-use biotechnology governance, biological threat detection, and responsible innovation makes it directly relevant to national and institutional capacity-building efforts across the life sciences.
The deadline for applications is 17 May 2026. Applicants must submit an online application and provide a letter of recommendation from their employer confirming institutional support and explaining how participation will benefit both the institution and national capacities.
For more information and to register, please visit the ICGEB’s Training course on Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity website.