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Department of Energy Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator - All Topic Areas

Limit: 5* // Tickets Available: 2

S. Ndlovu (Topic Area 1, Subtopic 1C)
Q. Hao (3A)
P. Li (3B)

Your LOI must be submitted to the Department of Energy before you submit it to the internal competition. Please use the correct legal name "Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona" when submitting your LOI. 

Limiting Language*
There is no limit to the number of Letters of Intent that can be submitted. (from Q&A spreadsheet). Please ensure all letters of intent from a single lead organization use the same lead organization name - please use "Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona".

The University of Arizona may submit five proposals. One in Topic Area 1 (all subtopics), one in Topic Area 2, and one for each of the Topic Area 3 Subtopics (3A, 3B, and 3C).

This limitation does not prohibit an applicant from collaborating on other applications (e.g., as a potential subrecipient or partner) so long as the entity is only listed as the applicant on one application for each topic area/subtopic area of this NOFO.

Program Description
Full sponsor guidelines are linked here.

The Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) Accelerator program is an initiative from the U.S. Department of Energy to strengthen domestic CMM supply chains. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), issued by the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) and the Office of Geothermal (OG), provides up to $69 million to directly address the national imperative to secure a reliable, predictable, and affordable domestic supply of CMMs which are foundational to U.S. energy dominance, national security, and industrial competitiveness.

The CMM Accelerator program targets innovative CMM production technologies that have demonstrated promising results at the bench scale (Technology Readiness Level 3-4) but require further development to achieve commercial viability. A significant challenge lies in advancing these laboratory-scale innovations beyond the "valley of death" to industrially relevant scales. This NOFO is designed to overcome this barrier by funding collaborative industry partnerships for prototyping and small-scale piloting of these critical processes and materials. Over a decade of DOE funding has laid the groundwork, and this program builds upon that to validate technologies and establish the confidence needed for substantial follow-on investment. 

The primary goals are to foster industry partnerships, validate technologies for material optimization and cost-competitive production, enable informed decisions through rigorous analysis, and accelerate domestic CMM manufacturing capabilities. The NOFO includes three key Topic Areas: (1) recovery and production of critical materials from secondary sources such as post-industrial scrap and e-waste; (2) processes to refine and alloy gallium, gallium nitride, germanium, and silicon carbide for semiconductor applications; and (3) technologies for cost competitive direct lithium extraction, separation, and processing. Projects are expected to mature technologies to Technology Readiness Levels 6 (TRL 6), demonstrating economic viability, material efficiency, and reduced reliance on external CMM sources. Projects must also significantly reduce adoption readiness risks, meaning they should address non-technical barriers such as market acceptance, resource availability, supply chain integration, cost effectiveness, and regulatory hurdles to ensure these technologies can be successfully integrated and utilized commercially. 

The target audience for this NOFO includes a broad range of domestic entities. Eligible applicants are defined below in section II.A. This NOFO intends to fund a collaborative approach to harness the full spectrum of innovation. Awarded Phase 1 projects will also be eligible to compete for a distinct Phase 2 pilot-scale project through a down-select process, furthering the program's commitment to delivering technologies ready for real-world deployment and impact.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
5/29/2026 (TA1); 6/25/2026 (TA2); 7/23/2026 (TAs 3A, 3B, and 3C)

BJS FY25 National Prison Rape Statistics Program (NPRSP) Assessment

No Applicants // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
An applicant may submit only one application in response to this NOFO. 

Applications under which two or more entities (project partners) would carry out the federal award will be considered. However, only one entity may be the applicant for the NOFO; any others must be proposed as subrecipients. See the Application Resource Guide for additional information on subawards. 

Executive Summary
This funding opportunity seeks to conduct a comprehensive examination of BJS’s National Prison Rape Statistics Program (NPRSP). The focus of the work is to assess existing data collections within the program and conduct methodological research, development, and testing to inform the future of the NPRSP. This opportunity furthers DOJ’s mission by enhancing BJS’s data collection and analysis required under the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (P.L. 10879). Please see the Eligible Applicants section for the eligibility criteria. 

OJP is committed to advancing work that furthers DOJ’s mission to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect  American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis. 

Research Category
Funding Type
External Deadline
5/4/2026

FY 2026 Sports Visitor Program

No Applicant // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

Executive Summary 
The Office of Sports Diplomacy of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposals for the Sports Visitor Program. This international exchange program uses sports to advance the Administration’s foreign policy priorities, promote American leadership, and support the U.S. sports economy. The Sports Visitor Program includes countries from all six regions of the world, as determined in consultation with the Department’s regional bureaus. The program is authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act), which aims to increase mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the people of the United States and other nations. 

The Sports Visitor Program brings together American and international youth and adult coaches/chaperones for thematic, sports-based exchanges. The target audience for this program is American and international youth (ages 15- 23) and their adult coaches/chaperones. The program is not intended for elite or professional athletes. Through both U.S.-based and international exchanges, participants develop leadership skills, build lasting bilateral relationships, and explore the positive impact of U.S. laws – such as Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – on sports and society. The program focuses on peer-to-peer engagement, cultural exchange, and helping youth become role models and community leaders. 

Key program components include: 

  • Organizing thematic exchanges to meet program goals;
  • Integrating with existing youth sports camps and/or creating customized camps to maximize interaction between American and international participants;
  • Balancing on-the-field sports training with off-the-field workshops, community service, and cultural activities;
  • Launching special initiatives to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and major sporting events hosted in the United States; and
  • Providing comprehensive orientations, strong media and communication strategies, and ongoing alumni engagement and follow-on activities. 

ECA funding will support approximately five U.S.-based exchanges and approximately seven international-based exchanges, each lasting at least two weeks. The program will also support follow-on projects so participants can share what they learned in their home communities. The award will fund approximately 265 Sports Visitor Program participants (130 foreign and 135 American as detailed in Section 3). Applicants are encouraged to exceed these numbers should their expertise lead to cost-efficiencies. 

Eligible applicants include U.S. not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs) and U.S. not-for-profit public and private educational institutions with at least four years of experience conducting international exchanges. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Only one proposal per organization will be considered. 

ECA anticipates that a single award recipient will manage all organizational and administrative responsibilities of the program and select qualified partners (subaward recipients) to implement the international-based exchanges. Applicants should explain how they will manage and oversee these sub-awards. 

Funding Type
External Deadline
5/26/2026

Brain Research Foundation 2027 Scientific Innovations Award

Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 0

M. O'Haire (Veterinary Medicine) 

Limiting Language 
Brain Research Foundation is pleased to invite your institution to nominate one senior faculty member to submit a Letter of Intent for the 2027 Scientific Innovations Award (SIA).

Objectives
The objective of the SIA is to support projects that may be too innovative and speculative for traditional funding sources but still have a high likelihood of producing important findings. It is expected that investigations supported by these grants will yield high impact findings and result in major grant applications and significant publications in high impact journals.  

Eligibility 
The nominated candidate must be a full-time associate professor or full professor at a US academic institution that was invited directly by BRF via email, working in the area of studies of brain function in health and disease. Current major NIH or other peer-reviewed funding is preferred but evidence of such funding in the past three years is essential. Studies should be related to either normal human brain development or specifically identified disease states. This includes molecular and clinical neuroscience as well as studies of neural, sensory, motor, cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning in health and disease. The grant proposal must detail a new research project that is not funded by other sources. This grant is not to be used as bridge funding.

Investigators at institutions that are affiliated with a medical school or university are eligible to apply only through the institution where they hold a full-time faculty position. 

Scientists that have previously received a BRF Scientific Innovations Award may not receive the award for a second time until five years has elapsed since the beginning date of the prior award. Grant requirements from all previous awards must be met.  Only one PI may apply per application. (Applicant may include the name of a Co-PI within or from another institution, but no additional supporting materials for the Co-PI are required, including biosketch, current grants, abstracts, etc.)

Full sponsor guidelines are linked here.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
6/2/2026 (LOI)
Solicitation Type

NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Three RFAS - PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288)

No Applicants // Limit: 4* (see below) // Tickets Available: 4

Cancer Data Science // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Cancer Control Science // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1 

Molecular Precision/Cancer Prevention // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1 

Other Cancer Research // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Each eligible institution (defined as having a unique UEI number or NIH IPF number) may submit up to a combined total of four applications (one in Cancer Data Science, one in Cancer Control Science, one in Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, and one in Other Cancer Research) to any companion NOFO or any combination of companion NOFOs (PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288).

Scientific Areas

  • (A) Cancer Data Science: For the purposes of this K99/R00 award, cancer data science is defined as an interdisciplinary field of inquiry in which quantitative and analytical approaches, processes, and systems are both developed and used to extract knowledge and insights from increasingly large and/or complex sets of data. This includes cancer-focused data integration and visualization, systems biology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, informatics, genomics, precision oncology, and developing analytics for epidemiological or biostatistical studies.
  • (B) Cancer Control Science: For the purposes of this K99/R00 award, cancer control science is defined as basic and applied research in the behavioral, social, and population sciences to create or enhance interventions that, independently or in combination with biomedical approaches reduce cancer risk, incidence, morbidity, and mortality, and improve quality of life. This includes research in epidemiology, behavioral sciences, health services, surveillance, cancer survivorship, and healthcare policy.
  • (C) Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention: For the purpose of this K99/R00 award, early translational research in cancer prevention is defined as basic research to understand mechanisms of cancer formation, development and progression of cancer precursors, and to translate basic biological knowledge into novel human interventions and human-centered adaption of current interventions with the potential to reduce cancer risk, incidence, and mortality, and improve quality of life. This includes but is not limited to research in molecular and systems biology, diagnostics, vaccine and drug development, pharmacology, and biomedical engineering.
  • (D) Other Cancer Research: For the purposes of this K99/R00 award, "Other Cancer Research" includes all scientific fields supported by the NCI that are not included in (A), (B) or (C). Applicants proposing research in (D) "Other Cancer Research" may apply only if it is reasonable to expect their candidates to transition to independence with an abbreviated period of mentored research training beyond their original doctoral degrees."
 


 

Funding Type
External Deadline
6/15/2026

Fiscal Year 2026 University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization

No Applicants // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language 
A prime applicant entity may submit only one application to this NOFO. If an entity submits more than one full application the DOE will only review the last submission. This limitation does not prohibit an applicant from collaborating on other applications (e.g., as a potential subrecipient or partner) so long as the entity is listed as the prime applicant on only one application submitted under this NOFO.

Executive Summary
The intent of this NOFO is to award approximately one (1) grant, for up to four (4) years, to a consortium consisting of universities, national labs, industry partners and/or other stakeholders. The consortia must be university led. The consortia project shall establish and/or enhance nuclear research capabilities at U.S. universities and colleges, especially in support of:

  1. nuclear cyber-physical protection;
  2. new digital technologies in advanced nuclear reactors; and
  3. the development and safety assessments of small modular reactors.

The proposed effort must strengthen and revitalize the academic community’s nuclear energy infrastructure, which could include enhancements of existing infrastructure or creation of new capabilities. In addition, the proposed effort must enhance regional or national impacts of the investment.

This NOFO does not provide any funds for the planning and construction of new university nuclear reactors.

Projects proposed under the University Nuclear Research Infrastructure Revitalization NOFO are intended to: 

  • Revitalize the U.S. capacity for university-led nuclear R&D by establishing and/or improving infrastructure to align with the advanced reactor technologies being deployed by the U.S. nuclear industry;
  • Support innovative combinations of facilities, equipment, and related capabilities to maximize the value of investments toward R&D; and
  • Emphasize support for rapid, lower-cost approaches that can enable advanced-reactor-relevant R&D, education and workforce development prior to any universities establishing advanced research reactors; and involve consortia to maximize participation.


Requests should focus on a goal or capability that significantly adds to the current U.S. capacity to support advanced reactor R&D, education, and workforce development. Applicants must clearly demonstrate the connection among requested pieces of equipment or other project elements toward a key objective or outcome.

Funding Type
External Deadline
5/13/2026

OJJDP FY25 National Mentoring Resource Center

No Applicants // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
An  applicant  may submit  only one  application  in  response  to  this NOFO.  

Applications under  which  two  or  more  entities (project  partners)  would  carry out  the  federal  award  will  be  considered.  However,  only one  entity may be  the  applicant  for  the  NOFO;  any others must  be proposed  as  subrecipients.  See  the  Application  Resource  Guide  for additional  information  on  subawards.  An  entity may be  proposed  as a subrecipient  in  more  than  one  application.  

Executive Summary
This NOFO will  support  OJJDP  mentoring  grantees and  the  mentoring  field  more  broadly  by  maintaining  the  OJJDP  National  Mentoring  Resource  Center  website  and  providing  training  and  technical  assistance  (TTA)  to  OJJDP  grantees.  Please  see  the  Eligible  Applicants  section  for  the  eligibility criteria.   OJP  is committed  to  advancing  work that  furthers DOJ’s mission  to  uphold  the  rule  of  law,  to  keep  our  country safe,  and  to  protect  civil  rights.  OJP  provides federal  leadership,  funding,  and  other  critical  resources to  directly support  law  enforcement,  combat  violent  crime,  protect  American  children,  provide  services to  American  crime  victims,  and  address  public safety challenges,  including  human  trafficking  and  the  opioid  crisis.   

Research Category
Funding Type
External Deadline
5/4/2026

FY 2026 U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program

No Applicants // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the PSI document.

Executive Summary
Priority Region: Indo-Pacific

The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for an assistance award to administer the FY 2026 U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP). U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3) may submit proposals to organize and carry out academic exchange program activities for up to eight participants for the USSP program (eligible nations for USSP are listed below in the Overview section).

The Office plans to issue a cooperative agreement to support up to eight participants to undertake degree studies in the United States for the FY 2026 USSP program for approximately $925,000. Working closely with Public Affairs Sections at U.S. embassies in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region, the award recipient will be responsible for the administration of the programs, including outreach and recruitment, convening review panels and assisting with merit-based competitive selection and nomination, placing students at appropriate U.S. institutions for academic degree study, providing orientation, enrichment activities, and pre-return activities, providing monitoring and support services, conducting on-going monitoring and evaluation, and follow-up with program alumni.

Research Category
Funding Type
External Deadline
5/29/2026

FY 2026 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (YALI Fellowship)

No Applicants // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the PSI document.

Executive Summary 
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, Study of the U.S. Branch invites proposal submissions for one cooperative agreement to design, implement, and oversee the FY 2026 YALI Fellowship. Established in 2014 the YALI Fellowship has built and maintained a network of approximately 7,800 young African leaders across sectors crit cal to U.S. interests and foreign policy priorities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The award recipient will be responsible for planning and administering all components and aspects of the YALI Fellowship including short-term academic residencies (“institutes”) on U.S. college and university campuses for approximately 550 Fellows, Professional Development Experiences (PDEs) for approximately 50 Fellows, a Reciprocal Exchange component that includes approximately 80 U.S. participants, and follow-on alumni activities. Under this award, the first group of
Fellows would travel to the United States for the institutes in summer 2027. The award recipient will design the Fellowship application materials, develop an outreach and recruitment plan, receive and screen applications in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, and oversee the final Fellow selection and placement process. The recipient will recruit, select, and oversee subawards to approximately 22 U.S. educational institutions that will each implement a six-week long institute in one of three tracks: Business and Trade, Emerging Technologies, or Governance and Security.

Each institute should take place on an accredited U.S. college or university campus and provide a group of approximately 25 accomplished African innovators and professionals aged 25 to 35 with rigorous academic and practical coursework, showcasing American excellence in relevant fields. Institutes should also provide structured networking and professional opportunities for Fellows to build relationships with American businesses and industry leaders.

The PDEs are professional placements for a subset of Fellows at relevant U.S. public, private, and non-profit organizations and should take place immediately following the institutes.

The Reciprocal Exchange component should support approximately 80 U.S. citizens to travel to Sub-Saharan Africa to build upon strategic partnerships and business connections developed through the YALI Fellowship. 

ECA will award one cooperative agreement to administer all program components. The anticipated total amount of funding available for this cooperative agreement will be approximately $15,000,000, pending the availability of FY 2026 funds. Of this total amount, the recipient should be prepared to transfer approximately $250,000 to each U.S. college, university, or non-governmental organization selected to administer an Institute under sub-award agreements.

ECA welcomes applications from U.S. public and private non-profit organizations, consortia of organizations, and accredited post-secondary U.S. education institutions meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3).

Please see the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) for more information.

Research Category
Funding Type
External Deadline
5/26/2026

FY 2026 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program

No Applicants // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

Executive Summary 
The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the administration of the FY 2026 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD). The total amount of funding for this award will be up to $4,800,000, pending the availability of FY 2026 funds.

The Global UGRAD Program places small cohorts of participants at a broad range of colleges and universities, including community colleges, land-grant institutions, rural campuses, and Senior Military Institutions, giving participants a “real American” experience in small towns and rural communities. Participants build skills in strategic U.S. priority fields such as business, entrepreneurship, semiconductors, AI, engineering, critical minerals, manufacturing, and supply chain resilience. All participants are required to study U.S. history, civic engagement, and American culture, deepening their understanding of American excellence, innovation, and culture. Funding should support approximately 160 participants, pending the availability of FY 2026 funds. Every effort should be made to maximize the number of scholarships awarded; staffing levels should be adequate to ensure that participant health and safety are prioritized.

Research Category
Funding Type
External Deadline
6/2/2026