27.05.2025

DFG: Priority Programme “Holistic Design of Molecular Communication Systems (HoD-MoCS)

Deadline for proposals: 16 January 2026; Deadline for registration for preparatory meeting: 19 June 2025

Practically all existing technical communication systems employ electromagnetic (EM) waves for information transmission. However, as successful as this technology has been, it may not be suitable for applications that require nano- or micro-scale transceivers, communication in liquid media and interfacing with biological systems. On the other hand, natural communication processes (e.g. intra-cellular communication, cell-to-cell communication, insect communication), which are often based on the exchange of molecules, successfully operate over different spatial scales, in both gaseous and liquid media, and can connect different biological entities. This has motivated communications engineers to explore the possibility of exploiting molecular communication (MC) for technical purposes and has led to the emergence of a new field of research – synthetic MC. The vision of disruptive, non-conventional and diverse applications, including the Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT), targeted drug delivery, pest control and immersive reality, has led to a steady increase in research activity on synthetic MC in Germany and internationally over the past few years.

However, despite the huge promise that synthetic MC holds, progress towards these applications has been comparatively slow. The main reason for this is that while communications engineers are well versed in developing theoretical concepts for synthetic MC systems, they generally do not possess the skills and equipment required for the design of synthetic MC hardware (e.g. artificial cells, nanodevices) and conducting experiments in relevant environments (e.g. vascular systems, plants, bioreactors, animal models), nor do they have the needed application domain knowledge (e.g. agriculture, bio-chemical engineering, biology, medicine).

HoD-MoCS aims to overcome this impediment by establishing an interdisciplinary national network of excellence on synthetic MC, comprising tandem teams consisting of communications engineers, who will contribute the required expertise in communication, networking, signal processing and information theory, and researchers from complementary disciplines (e.g. agriculture, bio-chemical engineering, biology, chemistry, medicine, pharmacy), who will contribute the expertise required for MC hardware and experiment design as well as application relevance. The collective interdisciplinary expertise of the participants will allow HoD-MoCS to tackle the numerous fundamental theoretical, experimental and application-related challenges arising in synthetic MC design in a holistic manner. The goal of HoD-MoCS is to significantly advance the field and move synthetic MC closer to practical applications within the six-year funding period.

HoD-MoCS will implement a comprehensive qualification and training programme, including a virtual lecture programme, lab exchanges and annual summer schools to promote early career researchers, and measures to ensure the coherence of the overall research programme, including annual workshops, a virtual seminar programme and cross-project research data sharing.

Only tandem proposals are accepted.

Each HoD-MoCS tandem project is expected to address fundamental theoretical and experimental research questions and target at least one specific application. The following aspects (and similar ones) may be addressed in HoD-MoCS projects:

1. Theoretical Research Concepts
2. Experimental Research Capabilities
3. Applications

Interested researchers are invited to participate in a preparatory meeting to enhance the coherence of the Priority Programme. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss potential collaborations between tandem projects and to find potential tandem partners. The one-day meeting will take place on 14 July 2025 at Fraport Conference Center (FRACC), Frankfurt. The venue has been chosen so that overnight stays should only be necessary in exceptional cases.

To participate, please register by 19 June 2025 with the administrative contact of the Priority Programme (Lukas Brand, lukas.brandspam prevention@fau.de).

Registration requires submission of a one-page project summary including the names of the potential applicant(s), the expertise they have to offer in light of the objectives of HoD-MoCS, and the preliminary project idea. The presentation of the respective project ideas during the meeting is mandatory. Participation in the preparatory meeting is not a prerequisite for receiving funding under this Priority Programme.

Proposals must be written in English and submitted to the DFG by 16 January 2026.

The DFG strongly welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, from different ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological or social backgrounds, from different career stages, types of universities and research institutions, and with disabilities or chronic illness. With regard to the subject-specific focus of this call, the DFG encourages female researchers in particular to submit proposals.

Further information:
https://www.dfg.de/de/aktuelles/neuigkeiten-themen/info-wissenschaft/2025/ifw-25-42