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International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS) - Program Overview

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Credibility Rating

4/5
High(4)

High quality. Established institution or organization with editorial oversight and accountability.

Rating inherited from publication venue: Nuclear Threat Initiative

Relevant to AI safety discussions on dual-use technology governance; IBBIS offers a biosecurity governance model that parallels challenges in regulating dual-use AI capabilities and establishing international norms for dangerous emerging technologies.

Metadata

Importance: 42/100homepage

Summary

IBBIS is an independent organization established under the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) to strengthen global biosecurity norms and develop practical tools to reduce risks from accidental or deliberate misuse of modern bioscience and biotechnology. The initiative addresses governance gaps exacerbated by COVID-19, including proliferation of pathogen research and new high-containment labs. It works to safeguard dual-use bioscience while enabling beneficial research to advance.

Key Points

  • Addresses dual-use risks from rapid bioscience advances that governments have struggled to adequately oversee, with potentially catastrophic misuse consequences.
  • Operates as an independent organization focused on developing innovative biosecurity tools, norms, and incentives at a global scale.
  • COVID-19 accelerated risks by spurring pathogen research proliferation and new high-containment lab construction worldwide.
  • Combines policy expertise with practical tool development to reduce both accidental misuse and deliberate abuse of biotechnology.
  • Part of NTI's broader biological threat reduction portfolio, linked to the Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative.

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# International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS)

- [Biological](https://www.nti.org/area/biological/)

The International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science - YouTube

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[The International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9x6pdh3l6M) [Nuclear Threat Initiative](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMyr23Uc-vxLCKDB0dTG6-A)

![thumbnail-image](https://yt3.ggpht.com/ytc/AIdro_mbQkQ_IK8JTJj_rTH9W-O3Y7yvayYSWj_QbpVyBN3LsQ=s68-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)

Nuclear Threat Initiative10.3K subscribers

[Watch on](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9x6pdh3l6M)

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## Safeguarding modern bioscience and biotechnology so it can advance and flourish safely and responsibly

#### Challenge

Rapid advances in bioscience offer great promise but can increase risks of accidental or deliberate misuse, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Governments have not been able to provide adequate oversight.

#### Action

Establish an independent organization dedicated to strengthening global biosecurity norms and developing innovative tools and incentives to uphold them.

#### Results

Active development of stronger biosecurity norms and practical tools that reduce the risk of accidental misuse or deliberate abuse of modern bioscience and biotechnology.

## Details

#### Project Staff

[![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Piers_Millett.jpg)\\
**Piers Millett, Ph.D.** \\
\\
Executive Director, International Biosecurity & Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS)](https://www.nti.org/about/people/piers-millett/)[![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Jaime_Yassif-400x500.jpg)\\
**Jaime M. Yassif, PhD** \\
\\
Senior Advisor](https://www.nti.org/about/people/jaime-yassif-phd/)[![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/0676_NTI.jpg)\\
**Hayley Severance** \\
\\
Deputy Vice President, Global Biological Policy and Programs](https://www.nti.org/about/people/hayley-severance/)[![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Aparupa_Sengupta.jpg)\\
**Aparupa Sengupta, PhD, RBP**](https://www.nti.org/about/people/aparupa-sengupta-ph-d-rbp/)[![](https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/0304_NTI.jpg)\\
**Rachel Staley Grant** \\
\\
Senior Director, Global Biological Policy and Programs](https://www.nti.org/about/people/rachel-staley-grant/)

#### Links & Downloads

- [International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS)](https://ibbis.bio/)
- [Biosecurity Innovation and Risk Reduction Initiative](https://www.nti.org/about/programs-projects/project/fostering-biosecurity-innovation-and-risk-reduction/)
- [Preventing Global Catastrophic Biological Risks](https://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/preventing-global-catastrophic-biological-risks/)
- [Taking Action to Safeguard Bioscience and Protect Against Fu

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Resource ID: 2cbf3ff302a9a246 | Stable ID: MjFmMWRlZm