For those of you working on AI-driven detection approaches with Blaise, we wanted to make you aware of a complementary opportunity. DHS's Science and Technology Directorate just launched the Ready, Set...ID the Biothreat Prize Challenge, seeking AI/ML approaches that can identify biological threat signals in complex environmental data, with explainable, confidence-scored outputs.

  • Detect Threat Signals — identify anomalous molecular signatures in environmental samples
  • Filter Benign Background — distinguish suspicious signals from normal environmental noise
  • Explainable AI Results — deliver confidence-scored outputs for follow-on analysis and response
  • Protect What Matters — support biosurveillance for people, agriculture, infrastructure, and the economy

Key details:

  • Prize pool: up to $999,990 across three stages (proposal evaluation, prototype development/testing, final blinded validation)
  • Submissions due: October 14, 2026
  • Open to U.S. citizens/permanent residents (18+) and U.S.-incorporated entities

Register & submit your pitch: www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/ready-set-id-biothreat

This is a separate competition from Blaise xTech, no obligation, just sharing in case it's relevant to your work.