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ASCENDʳ Research Grant Program – 2026 Cycle

Institutionally Coordinated // Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 0
H. Budinoff (Systems and Industrial Engineering)
B. Kim (Materials Science and Engineering)

This opportunity is being institutionally coordinated by Research Development Services and the Office of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives. If you are interested, please check your eligibility then contact Riley McIssac. 

Limiting Language
Limit on number of proposals per university: 2

About ASCENDʳ
ASCENDʳ Research is a competitively funded DOD research program that is aligned to the U.S. National Defense Science and Technology Strategy and the DOD Critical Technology Areas and part of the HSRU’s Advancing STEM Careers through Education, Networking, Development + Research (ASCENDʳ) Initiative (for more information about ASCENDʳ visit www.hsru.org) For this opportunity, research priority areas are: Advanced Materials, Human-Machine Interfaces, and Space Technology. Through this competitively funded research program, HSRU Alliance member institutions’ research strengths will be leveraged, faculty leadership development will be provided, and graduate student researchers will be integrated. This research program will have the aims to (1) expose both faculty and students to military operations and defense and national security real-world challenges, (2) deploy and enhance the research environments conducive for the successful progression and participation of the students in the process (e.g. mentoring, professional development, and financial support), and to (3) conduct research and deliver research outcomes to meet DOD technical challenges/gaps.

Eligibility 
The proposal must originate from an HSRU member institution in good standing.

  1.  Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator(s) must be a Research Faculty member or Tenure/Tenure Track Faculty member that is early to mid-career, defined as within the first 8 years of their professional career.
  2. The Principal Investigator must hire and integrate at least one Graduate Research Assistant for this project. The graduate assistant must be enrolled at the start of the project and maintain enrollment eligibility throughout the proposed project.
  3. All PIs, Co-PIs, and the graduate assistant working on this project must be U.S. Persons, defined as U.S. born or U.S. Naturalized Citizen.b.
  4. The Principal Investigator and Co-PIs must agree to jointly participate in the ASCENDʳ Leadership Program.

Program Webpage | RFP (box login required) 
 

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
2/27/2026

Data.org Activate AI: Economic Opportunity Challenge

Notify Limited Submissions of Your Intent to Submit a Proposal  Please include a brief summary of the planned project scope // Limit: Must notify if there are two or more planned institutional proposals

Limiting Language
Organizations are limited to submitting one Entry to the Challenge. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Challenge may consider multiple Entries from large organizations such as universities. Any such Entries must be distinct, without overlap in the scope of the proposals or the project teams. If you are aware that two or more teams within your organization are submitting Entries to the Challenge, please notify us by email at challenge@data.org and include an explanation as to how your team meets the foregoing requirement.

Funding Highlights
The Activate AI: Economic Opportunity Challenge is a global call for innovative AI applications that empower people and communities, and that unlock economic opportunity for a resilient future. With the launch of this challenge, data.org and Zoom are seeking out projects that drive AI workforce development and organizational capacity, develop pathways to create future friendly jobs leveraging data and AI, and build climate resilient communities for a green economy. 

Sponsor Notes
The Challenge will award at least five final winners with a combination of grant funding and in-kind support with a combined total value of $115,000 USD. In-kind support may include, but is not limited to, data science talent, staff training, technical support and consulting, media production, marketing and promotional outreach, and software and infrastructure licenses. 

Internal Deadline
External Deadline
1/8/2026
Solicitation Type

Breakthrough Science Initiative Awards Program (Ono Initiative)

Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 0

M. Zhang (COM-P)
V. Kamath (COM-P)

Limiting Language
Each Nominating Institution may nominate up to two (2) applicants in Chemical Biology Research. 

Program Overview
Annually, the Ono Pharma Foundation considers proposals from PIs for research that could ultimately transform human health. Although additional areas of research may be added in future years, the Ono Pharma Foundation is only considering proposals for scientific research addressing Chemical Biology at this time.

Chemical Biology is defined as research that deals with the interface between chemistry and biology. The criteria for this field are deliberately broad so as not to disqualify potentially innovative and groundbreaking projects.

The goals of the Ono Initiative are to:

  • Identify and develop innovative research proposals and results that could lead to the development of breakthrough treatment solutions for patients.
  • Support academic research and the career development of promising young and established scientists.
  • Build strong relationships within the community in order to lead to transformative research aligned with Ono Initiative's interest.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must meet the following requirements. LOIs and final Proposals from applicants not meeting the requirements listed below will not be considered.
    1. PIs applying must be working at one of the nominating institutions. Nominating institutions might be replaced or added to in subsequent years. For the list of nominating institutions, please see the FAQ.
    2. The PI must have an MD and/or a PhD degree.
    3. The PI must be a new applicant to the Ono Initiative, or, if they are a returning applicant, must be applying for a project different from the one they previously proposed.
    4. The PI must be a young and/or mid-career scientist (15 years or less of experience since starting an independent academic position).
    5. The PI must not have been, nor currently be, engaged in other sponsored research and/or collaborative research with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and/or grant program with Ono Pharma Foundation.
    6. The PI may not apply for funding to amplify current work. However, PIs may research a new idea based on a prior finding of the PI.
    7. The PI must not be a healthcare professional (defined as individuals currently holding an active state license for which they are (a) qualified to prescribe, administer, use or supply any medicinal or medical products or (b) perform any professional clinical services). A PI with an MD but without an active state medical license is still eligible.
    8. PIs serving on a healthcare formulary or similar committee are not eligible.
Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
2/13/2026 (LOI); 5/15/2026 (Full Proposal)
Solicitation Type

NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) - February 2026 Deadline

Limit: 4* (see below) // Tickets Available: 3

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

Cancer Control Science // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 0
​J. Llavona-Ortiz (Cancer Center) 

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

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

Number of Applications
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
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
2/17/2026

Recordings at Risk - Thirteenth Cycle (Feb 2026 Deadline)

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

Limiting Language
Applicant organizations may submit only one application per cycle.

Program Overview
Recordings at Risk is a national regranting program administered by CLIR to support the preservation of rare and unique audio, audiovisual, and other time-based media of public value through digital reformatting. 

Eligible media may include but are not necessarily limited to, magnetic audio and video tape, grooved discs, wax cylinders, wire recordings, and film (with or without sound).

Recordings at Risk encourages professionals who may be constrained by limited resources and/or technical expertise to take action against the threats of degradation and obsolescence. The program aims to help organizations identify priorities and develop practical strategies for digital reformatting, build relationships with partners, and raise awareness of best practices.

Research Category
Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
2/24/2026

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education – Special Projects (FIPSE – SP)

Institutionally Coordinated 

National Need Areas:

  1. Advancing the Understanding and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Postsecondary Education (Absolute Priorities 1 and 2)
  2. Promoting Civil Discourse on College and University Campuses (Absolute Priority 3) 
    C. Simmons (Office of the Provost)
  3. Promoting Accreditation Reform (Absolute Priorities 4 and 5)
  4. Supporting Capacity-Building for High-Quality Short-Term Programs (Absolute Priorities 6 and 7)
    E. Burke (Student Engagement and Career Development)

Limiting Language 
An eligible entity may submit only one (1) grant application under an area of national need as the lead applicant. An entity can be included as a partner in multiple applications. The eligible entity may apply to all four (4) areas of national need as the lead applicant but must submit a separate grant application for each area of national need.

Program Overview
In order to support these four crucial needs, this competition includes seven absolute priorities under which applicants can apply: two priorities dedicated to advancing the understanding and use of AI in postsecondary education (Absolute Priorities 1 and 2), one priority dedicated to promoting civil discourse on college and university campuses (Absolute Priority 3), two priorities within promoting accreditation reform (Absolute Priorities 4 and 5), and two priorities for capacity-building for high-quality short-term programs (Absolute Priorities 6 and 7). The Department intends to award $50 million to advance AI in Education, $60 million to promote civil discourse on college and university campuses, $7 million to support accreditation reform, and $50 million for high-quality short-term programs. The Department may adjust these estimates based on interest and quality of applications.

Research Category
Funding Type
External Deadline
12/3/2025
Solicitation Type

Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award

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

Limiting Language
Institutions may submit only one Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award nomination annually. Renominations are accepted.

Program Overview
The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program supports the research and teaching careers of talented early career faculty in the chemical sciences. The Award, which requires an institutional nomination, is based on an independent body of scholarship attained in the early years of their appointment, as well as a demonstrated commitment to education, and provides an unrestricted research grant of $100,000.

Eligibility
The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program is open to faculty who meet all of the following criteria:

  • From academic institutions in the States, Districts, and Territories of the United States of America that grant a bachelor’s or higher degree in the chemical sciences, including chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering.
  • Hold a full-time tenure-track academic appointment focused on the chemical sciences.
  • From Ph.D. granting departments in which scholarly research is a principal activity and undergraduate education is an important component.
  • Are within the first six years of their independent academic careers at the time of submission of the nomination. Experience has shown that awardees tend to be close to the end of their eligibility window, but all eligible candidates are welcome to apply.


The Foundation will consider extensions to the window of eligibility for official tenure clock stops, for reasons including but not limited to parental leave, military leave, medical leave, and the pandemic. Any exceptions should be clearly discussed at the beginning of the letter of nomination. We encourage you to reach out to programs@dreyfus.org to discuss these exceptions prior to nomination submissions.

If you feel that there are special circumstances that may apply to your nomination, please contact the Foundation office at programs@dreyfus.org.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
2/3/2026

St. Baldrick's Foundation 2026 Summer Fellowship Awards

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

Limiting Language
Institutions may submit only one (1) new Summer Fellow application per year. 

Program Overview
St. Baldrick's offers Summer Fellowship Awards, funding stipends for undergraduate, graduate, or medical school students to work in a pediatric oncology setting for a summer. The total award, paid to the mentor's institution, is $5,000.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
2/20/2026
Solicitation Type

Mathers Foundation Grant - Spring 2026 Cycle

Limit: 3 // Tickets Available: 0

M. Bhattacharya (Neuroscience)
P. Arunachalam (Immunobiology)
N. Lee (Pharmacology)

The mission of The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation is to advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring scientific research that will benefit mankind. The foundation’s grants program seeks to support basic science, ideally with potential translational applications. Immunology, microbiome, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, neuroscience, etc., are some noteworthy examples of current research support.

For many years the Foundation has enjoyed special recognition in the research community for supporting “basic” scientific research, realizing that true transformative breakthroughs usually occur after a thorough understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying natural phenomena. More recently, and with the advent of newer investigative methodologies, technology, and tools, the Foundation now embraces innovative translational research proposals.

The grant duration must be three years. The budget should be reasonable based on the aims of the project. Indirect costs may not exceed 10%. Preliminary Budgets are required during the LOI phase. A detailed budget justification is not required until the proposal phase. The Foundation’s grant award is not intended to be utilized for purchasing capital equipment (“bricks-and-mortar”) for the lab and is intended only to support the actual investigation. The Foundation assumes and expects that capital equipment must be provided by the research institution or university.

Application Guidance:

  • Grant budgets cannot exceed $600-750K
  • The Foundation primarily supports basic science, ideally with potential translational applications.
  • Immunology, microbiome, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, neuroscience, etc., are some noteworthy examples of current research support.
  • Covid-19-related research projects (aims or sub-aims) will not be considered for support.
  • Medical imaging technology-related projects and/or electrical engineering technology development projects will not be considered for support.
  • Plant Biology Research, Oceanography, Space Exploration. and Global warming-related research will not be considered for support.
  • As technology continues to advance, it is apparent that investigations in the area of basic science and translational research may become more and more reliant on collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. It is important to note that any interdisciplinary project proposals may require additional information regarding the collaborator(s)’ achievements and relevant expertise.
  • Feedback for declined LOI Requests will not be provided; LOIs or Formal Proposals that have been declined should not be resubmitted at a later date for consideration.
  • Renewal applications for the same or related research will not be accorded priority consideration. It is strongly advised that any re-application for grant renewal consider a new direction based on prior research or emphasize some new potential translational aspects and not merely an extension of previously funded research.
  • Requests for funding previously federally supported research and/or applications pending federal approval will not be accorded priority consideration.
  • Requests for support of clinical trials or drug discovery will not be approved. The Foundation will not support projects which we consider pre-clinical drug development.

     
CycleInstitutional Nominations and
Portal Registration
LOI ApplicationInvited Formal Proposals
Spring 2026Jan 30th, 2026
8pm EST
Feb 13th, 2026
8pm EST
Apr 24th, 2026
8pm EST

Please note, while RDS will manage submitting the institutional nomination, it is the responsibility of the selected faculty members to complete the portal registration by the January 30, 2026 at 8pm EST deadline.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
1/30/2026 (Deadline for selected faculty to complete portal registrations); 2/12/2026 (LOI); 4/24/2026 (Invited Full Applications)

2026 Mary Kay Ash Foundation (MKAF) Innovative/Translational Cancer Research Grant

Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 0

J. Farr (COM-T)

The University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) is coordinating this limited submission. For more information please contact: UACC-PreAward.

Limiting Language
Each invited institution may submit one application for consideration. Institutions are responsible for conducting an internal selection process to identify their designated applicant. No exceptions will be made.

Program Overview
The Mary Kay Ash Foundation®, a committed funding source for innovative cancer research, invites applications for translational research grants focused on cancers affecting women, including but not limited to breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine, and other cancers that predominantly affect women.

Grants will be awarded in the amount of $100,000 total over a two-year period to support projects with strong potential to advance the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancers affecting women.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
2/1/2026
Solicitation Type