Make an Impact

Tangible Needs to Propel BTI Research

Become a science champion!BTI is dedicated to vaulting forward discoveries being made every day in our labs and greenhouses to solve major threats to our health and our world. Our goals are no less than to:
→ Solve Hunger
→ Protect and Mend the Environment
→ Address Intractable Human DiseasesHelp us drive discoveries that nourish people and the planet!

Current Needs

With the recent shifts in the federal funding landscape, it is all the more vital for non-profits like BTI to receive support from foundations and individuals. Your partnership truly makes an impact!Select a category below to find out how you can help.

Met Needs 💚

We are so grateful to those who have partnered with us to fund recent projects.

Science Needs

Plant biology holds the key to some of today’s most urgent global challenges—from strengthening food security and improving crop resilience to restoring ecosystems and understanding how life adapts to change. At BTI, this work is not part of a larger agenda—it is the agenda.There are several ways you can help drive breakthrough discoveries:

Research Projects

We envision a future where science-based solutions improve agriculture, sustain biodiversity, and enhance human health in the face of a changing world.Plants are essential for the survival of our planet and all who live on it. They are the basis for the food we eat, the energy we use, and the nutrients and medicines we need.And yet, shockingly little is invested in plant research that can solve food insecurity and create more sustainable agriculture, protect our environment, and improve health for animals and humans alike.Extreme weather events - including severe temperatures, droughts, and floods - threaten food security for millions worldwide. Meanwhile, limited funding delays vital plant science research that could advance human medicine.BTI is dedicated to vaulting forward discoveries being made every day in our labs and greenhouses to solve major threats to our health and our world.Want to see some specific projects? Click here for more info!You can help drive discoveries that nourish both people and the planet.

Support a PhD Student

Fund a PhD Student Researcher (one-year fellowship) which includes a 12-month stipend, tuition & fees, and benefits.Why it matters to BTI’s mission:Day-to-day engine of discovery. Graduate students run experiments, analyze data, and co-author the papers that push plant science forward.Fast-tracking solutions. With secure funding, students can test bold ideas—like engineering drought-resilient crops—without stopping to chase short-term grants.Cultivating talent. Today’s PhD trainee becomes tomorrow’s principal investigator, industry innovator, or policy advisor, multiplying BTI’s global impact.Leverage for larger grants. Private fellowships make BTI proposals more competitive, often unlocking federal or foundation awards that amplify your gift several-fold.The Need:
1 Year Fellowship: $80,000

Support a Postdoc Researcher

A postdoctoral researcher (“postdoc”) is a fully trained PhD scientist who spends 2–4 years sharpening advanced skills before leading a lab of their own or pursuing opportunities in industry or government.Why it matters to BTI’s mission:Discovery power. Postdocs design experiments, mentor students, and analyze complex datasets—multiplying a lab’s output of peer-reviewed breakthroughs.High-risk, high-reward ideas. Stable private funding lets them test bold hypotheses (e.g., engineering crops to fix their own nitrogen) that traditional grants may avoid.Talent pipeline. Today’s postdoc becomes tomorrow’s faculty leader, industry innovator, or government science advisor, carrying BTI’s collaborative ethos worldwide.Grant leverage. Privately funded fellowships make BTI proposals more competitive, often unlocking federal or foundation awards that amplify your gift several-fold.The Need:
1 Year Salary & Benefits: $85,000

Education & Outreach Needs

Beyond research, BTI's commitment to the future is evident in its dedication to educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists. By training future leaders, BTI underscores its mission to create a lasting, positive impact on the world.Select an area below to find out how you can support our education programs.

Undergraduate Summer Internship

For over 20 years, BTI has been inspiring undergraduates to discover how a research career can positively impact the world. In this 10-week program, they'll learn how research can be applied to protect the environment, enhance human health, and improve agriculture.We want to educate & inspire the next generation of scientists:Scientific Inquiry & Exploration. Interns will gain knowledge of plant systems, plant genetics and genomics, digital agriculture, and scientific research by working closely with research mentors in a laboratory setting.Research Skills & Technique. Participants will learn the latest molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics tools while working on a supervised, independent research project.Communication & Collaboration. Opportunities for publication and networking in academic circles.Critical Thinking & Analysis. They'll hone critical thinking by evaluating data, drawing conclusions, and tackling complex scientific queries.The Need:
Stipend + Program Costs: $...

High School Summer Internship

Our 7-week program is open to local high school students; no lab
experience needed. They'll conduct guided research with weekly
professional development. They also receive exposure to real-world scientific inquiry and research methodologies.We want to educate & inspire the next generation of scientists:Scientific Inquiry & Exploration. They'll embark on a journey of scientific discovery in plant science, asking and investigating key questions.Research Skills & Technique. They'll gain hands-on lab experience and learn from designing experiments to analyzing data in a cutting-edge environment.Communication & Collaboration. Learn to enhance communication skills through collaboration with peers and mentors, sharing research insights.Critical Thinking & Analysis. They'll hone critical thinking by evaluating data, drawing conclusions, and tackling complex scientific queries.The Need:
Stipend + Program Costs: $6,780

Translational Research Needs

Our translational research program transforms BTI's innovative research into tangible benefits for society. Our discoveries are making an impact.Select an area below to find out how you can support our translational program.

Postbac Fellowship

A post-bac fellow is a recent bachelor’s-degree graduate who spends 12 months embedded in BTI’s Translational Research department before heading to grad school or industry.Why it matters to BTI’s mission:Hands-on translation. Fellows run high-throughput assays, manage pilot greenhouse trials, and crunch data that help move discoveries from “proof of concept” to farmer-ready solutions.Talent pipeline & diversity. Early paid experience attracts promising graduates (often first-generation or from under-represented groups) into plant science, widening the pool of future PhD students and biotech innovators.Cost-effective leverage. For less than the cost of a graduate student or postdoc, BTI gains a full-time, enthusiastic researcher whose work can help secure larger federal or industry grants.

The Need:
1 Year Fellowship: $67,000

Networking & Marketing

It is invaluable for the Translational Research Team to represent BTI at prestigious ag-biotech conferences such as the Plant & Animal Genome (PAG) Conference.Why it matters to BTI’s mission:Turning science into solutions. Face-to-face networking accelerates licensing deals and pilot collaborations that move BTI innovations from the bench to farmers’ fields.Investor & partner visibility. Conferences concentrate venture funds, corporates, and NGOs; a single connection can unlock multi-million-dollar development programs.Market intelligence. Real-time feedback on industry pain points guides our project pipeline, ensuring donor dollars tackle the most pressing challenges in crop resilience, nutrition, and sustainability.

The Need:
Conference Registration & Travel: $5,000

Facilities & Equipment Needs

Securing funding for essential research equipment and facility upgrades is challenging, as traditional funding sources often prioritize programs and projects over critical infrastructure. Private donations are vital, enabling us to acquire specialized tools and upgrades that accelerate groundbreaking discoveries in plant science.Select a need below to find out how it impacts our research, and how you can help.

Growth Chambers

It's a “mini-greenhouse on wheels.” Scientists can dial in the exact light, temperature, and humidity for custom research conditions.Why it matters to BTI’s mission:Faster breakthroughs. Researchers can run several generations of experiments in the time one season would normally allow, accelerating discoveries that lead to hardier, more nutritious crops.Reproducible science. Uniform conditions ensure results are trustworthy and shareable with collaborators worldwide.Energy-smart stewardship. Modern LED lighting and an efficient compressor cut power use by up to half compared with older units, aligning with BTI’s commitment to sustainable science.

The Need:
Small Growth Chamber: $45,000
Large Growth Chamber: $180,000

Biological Safety Cabinet

A biological safety cabinet (BSC) is essentially a small “clean room” with its own built-in air purifier. It simultaneously shields (1) the researcher, (2) the plant material, and (3) the environment from cross-contamination.Why it matters to BTI’s mission:Safe handling of pathogens & GMOs. When BTI tests disease-resistant genes or studies plant microbes, the cabinet prevents accidental spread to people, other experiments, or the outside world.Cleaner data, fewer delays. Sterile airflow keeps stray spores and dust out, so experiments don’t have to be repeated due to contamination, saving weeks of work.Regulatory & campus compliance. Modern BSCs meet current biosafety standards, ensuring our researchers stay safe.

The Need:
Lorderan Biosafety Cabinet: $5,800

Greenhouse Shade Replacement

BTI’s greenhouses rely on overhead shades to filter sunlight. Our current shades are worn out and need replacing. New shades will give staff better control over how much sunlight reaches the crop canopy.Why it matters to BTI’s mission:Protects plants. Diffused shade evens out hot spots, prevents leaf scorch, and produces more uniform, comparable research plants year-round.Cuts operating costs. Efficient screens passively cool the greenhouse, trimming mechanical cooling needs and lowering irrigation demand—stretching donor dollars and supporting BTI’s sustainability goals.Long-lasting stewardship. UV-stabilized fabrics last longer, reducing waste and sparing future replacement budgets.

The Need:
Replacing shades: $50,000

Steam Sterilizer (Autoclave)

An autoclave is the lab’s industrial-strength "dishwasher." It saturates everything inside—glassware, growth media, tools, even waste—with 250 °F steam under pressure, destroying every microbe in about 15 minutes. Modern units recycle heat and water, run on programmable cycles, and roll into place like a large refrigerator.Why it matters to BTI’s mission:Pure experiments, reliable results. Sterile media and equipment keep unwanted bacteria or fungi from skewing research results, so discoveries translate cleanly from lab bench to farmer’s field.Safety & compliance. Pressurized steam also decontaminates genetically modified materials and plant pathogens before disposal, meeting NIH and USDA biosafety rules and protecting staff and the community.Stewardship of donor dollars & the planet. Modern models cut utility use dramatically (case studies show > 50 % less energy and nearly 90 % less water), reducing operating costs for years to come.

The Need:
Steam Sterilizer: $95,500

Met Needs

It's hard to express the depth of our gratitude toward the generous science champions who have helped fund these impactful projects.
Thank you for helping us drive discoveries that nourish both people and the planet!