**About this grant**
In this grant we are focusing on a specific project - NFP, with a clear deliverable, to develop and create the first prototype of a new type of digital/biological hybrid data format. 

**About the team**
The NFP project is developed by Grow Your Own Cloud which has been developing research into regenerative DNA data storage applications space since 2018. We are well known for our advocacy for action on digital carbon footprint and actively seek to develop and deploy our research through the creation of functional prototypes, services and products which seek to one day become public goods.

**Why this Climate Solution** 
DNA data storage is a vital component to reduce our digital carbon footprint - estimated at ~4% of global CO2 emissions and rising exponentially with the growth of the cloud, AI applications and blockchain protocols. Our goal is to offer a carbon negative complement, to archive unnecessary digital files (which make up around 60% of the cloud currently) in synthetic DNA and organic DNA to reduce CO2 emissions and eventually remediate large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere.  

**Lessons learned from previous rounds**
We applied to a previous round with a fairly rushed and generic grant that was more focused on supporting GYOC. We did not receive much support largely as the grant was unclear and late, however we have learned from that experience. In this round we are using a more targetted approach focusing on a specific new project that can help the public understand our technology, research, vision and goals. 

**Viability**
While this project might seem far-fetched to those with no knowledge of synthetic biology, we have been working with this for the past 3 years at a functional level in the lab. With NFP our hope is to be able to take our research outside of the lab with a use-case that captivates a large number of people in order to bring their attention to the issue at hand, as well as a potential long-term regenerative solution that connects human beings with nature. 

