Evaluation & Awards
How projects are judged, and what teams compete to win.
Competition Tracks
Diagnostic
Develop innovative synthetic biology solutions for disease detection, rapid diagnostics, biomarker identification, and precision diagnostic technologies.
Therapeutic
Design novel biological approaches to improve disease prevention, treatment, and patient care, including gene therapies, engineered cells, biologics, and drug delivery systems.
Environmental
Create sustainable biological solutions to address environmental challenges, including bioremediation, pollution control, waste management, climate resilience, and renewable bio-based technologies.
Food, Water & Agriculture
Develop innovative technologies to improve food production, agricultural sustainability, crop protection, food safety, engineered microorganisms, and bio-based agricultural solutions.
Key Topics & Program Focus Areas
What every team works through on the way from idea to submission.
Synthetic Biology Foundations
Interdisciplinary integration of biology, engineering, and computational sciences.
In-Silico Proof of Concept
Computational modeling, genetic circuit design, and bio-design validation.
Applied Research & Innovation
Practical solutions translating theoretical science into real-world biotechnology applications.
Scientific Communication
Academic poster design, oral presentation skills, and research defense.
Evaluation Criteria
Novelty of the idea, creativity, and originality of the proposed solution.
Scientific background, understanding of synthetic biology principles, literature support, and experimental design.
Practicality of the methodology, proof of concept, and likelihood of successful implementation.
Potential benefits to healthcare, environment, agriculture, or society, and alignment with real-world needs.
Organization, clarity, visual design, communication skills, and the ability to answer judges' questions.
Scientific accuracy, readability, design, and effectiveness of visual communication.
Equal participation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and overall team coordination.
Quality of the submitted methodology, results, video, and supporting documentation.
Potential for further development, commercialization, implementation, or future research.
Judging Rules
Awards
Gold
First place overall
Silver
Second place overall
Bronze
Third place overall
Best Presentation
Best Poster
Prizes & Recognition
Total prize pool, covered by sponsors
Certificates & Medals
Awarded to top performing teams.
AFCM Core Lab Training
Hands-on training opportunity at the Armed Forces College of Medicine's core lab.
International Travel Opportunity
For the winning team, in coordination with Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Medal Criteria
Gold — 90–100%
Demonstrates exceptional scientific excellence, innovation, strong proof of concept, high technical quality, significant societal impact, and outstanding presentation. Projects at this level represent the highest standard of the competition.
Silver — 80–89%
Demonstrates solid scientific merit, a well-developed methodology, clear project objectives, good technical execution, and effective communication.
Bronze — 75–79%
Successfully meets the competition requirements by presenting a feasible project with a sound scientific foundation, appropriate documentation, and satisfactory presentation.