The article discusses the advancements and challenges in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) using biomaterials and scaffolds. Over the past three decades, the field has seen exponential growth in methodologies for creating functional tissues. Key advancements include the use of 3D bioprinting and organoids, which are empowering researchers to develop new approaches for engineering functional implants. The *BMC Methods* Collection 'Biomaterials and scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine' aims to provide a comprehensive resource on the latest methodologies for biomaterial characterization and scaffold fabrication. Biomaterials are crucial for building scaffolding structures that support cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Recent research has focused on decorating biomaterials with bioactive peptides to enhance their functionality and mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM-based materials, derived from decellularized tissues, offer better physiological resemblance and support tissue maturation. Organoids, self-assembling cellular aggregates, are another powerful tool for recapitulating physiological functions in vitro, though they face limitations in drug screening due to poor viability and scalability. However, several challenges remain, including the need for improved vascularization, the integration of multiple tissue types, achieving high cell density and maturation, and modulating the immune response to accelerate tissue regeneration. The collection aims to address these challenges by offering new perspectives on the latest advancements in TERM methodologies, from biomaterial design to novel tissue fabrication techniques.The article discusses the advancements and challenges in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) using biomaterials and scaffolds. Over the past three decades, the field has seen exponential growth in methodologies for creating functional tissues. Key advancements include the use of 3D bioprinting and organoids, which are empowering researchers to develop new approaches for engineering functional implants. The *BMC Methods* Collection 'Biomaterials and scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine' aims to provide a comprehensive resource on the latest methodologies for biomaterial characterization and scaffold fabrication. Biomaterials are crucial for building scaffolding structures that support cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Recent research has focused on decorating biomaterials with bioactive peptides to enhance their functionality and mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM-based materials, derived from decellularized tissues, offer better physiological resemblance and support tissue maturation. Organoids, self-assembling cellular aggregates, are another powerful tool for recapitulating physiological functions in vitro, though they face limitations in drug screening due to poor viability and scalability. However, several challenges remain, including the need for improved vascularization, the integration of multiple tissue types, achieving high cell density and maturation, and modulating the immune response to accelerate tissue regeneration. The collection aims to address these challenges by offering new perspectives on the latest advancements in TERM methodologies, from biomaterial design to novel tissue fabrication techniques.