Upcoming

Institutionally Coordinated // Limit: 1 Coordination Hub Proposal

This funding opportunity is being institutionally coordinated by the Office of the Chief AI Officer. Please contact Dr. David Ebert, Cheif AI and Data Science Officer at ebertd@arizona.edu. 

Limiting Langauge
Coordination Hubs are limited to one proposal per institution.

Program Synopsis
TechAccess: AI-Ready America is a national-scale initiative to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness and adoption across the U.S. by strengthening coordination, leveraging partnerships and resources, filling gaps, and scaling what works — so local and state priorities can lead in shaping an AI-driven economy that benefits all Americans.

Unlike initiatives centered around K – 16 education, AI-Ready America additionally reaches businesses, public-serving organizations, and individuals, among others, expanding access to AI knowledge, tools, and resources. The program also emphasizes practical implementation through hands-on assistance and workforce up-skilling, including experiential learning such as internships, project-based work, and apprenticeships, to ensure stakeholders can effectively apply and innovate with AI.

The program supports: 

1. State/Territory Coordination Hubs (Coordination Hubs) – one in every state, the District of Columbia (DC), or territory in the United States – connecting partners, strengthening planning and deployment, and rapidly scaling approaches;
2. A National Coordination Lead (National Lead) – facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among Coordination Hubs, coordinating priority economic sectors, and informing national AI strategies; and
3. AI-Ready Catalyst Award Competitions – a series of topic-driven competitions issued over the course of the program to pilot and scale innovative approaches that address critical national AI readiness needs.

This funding opportunity focuses on Coordination Hubs. The National Lead will be funded as an Other Transaction (OT) offered through an Other Transaction Agreement Solutions Offering. AI-Ready Catalyst Award Competitions will be announced through an NSF-approved mechanism, with proposals submitted according to the instructions provided at the time of announcement.

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
An organization may submit only one Planning proposal and, if awarded a Planning award, one Development proposal.

Program Overview
This program supports collaboration among K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers to develop innovative solutions to persistent challenges in learning and workforce development. These challenges are identified by K-12 students, families, and educators.

The program aims to create and scale evidence-based practices, tools, and technologies that improve learning outcomes and prepare students for a digital, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven future. A key focus is early exposure to AI to build curiosity, understanding, and readiness for future careers.

The program encourages partnerships across sectors - schools, universities, industry, government, and nonprofits - to co-design responsive, technology-based solutions, and includes two phases: Planning and Development. Planning proposals help teams explore one of several focus areas. Only teams awarded Planning grants may submit Development proposals, which support the growth and implementation of promising ideas.

Eligibility 
Each NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY leadership team must have at least one member from each of four stakeholder groups: (1) K-12 educators, (2) technologists, (3) researchers, and (4) parents or guardians. One of these individuals must act as the Principal Investigator (PI) through an eligible organization described above. Co-PIs and additional Senior Personnel, (sub)contractors, consultants, etc., are also allowed.

Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible to submit proposals in response to this solicitation.

There are no PI degree requirements (i.e., the PI is not required to hold a Ph.D. nor any other degree).

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language 
Each invited institution may submit a single application from a full-time faculty member. The candidate must be from the Colleges of Medicine (Tucson or Phoenix). 

Program Description

Full sponsor guidelines are linked here.

The Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust Awards Program for Coronary Heart Disease Research supports research in the prevention of coronary heart disease or circulatory failure and improving care for patients with these medical conditions. The program focuses on basic and translational scientific research. Clinical studies are currently ineligible. 

In accordance with Mr. Geneen’s directives, the program seeks to establish “…a more direct and personalized relationship with grant recipients than is normally possible in dealing with the diffuse and bureaucratic administrations through which large organizations are managed…and to support smaller institutions rather than major universities or medical complexes which have a demonstrated capacity to raise funds from the public generally.” Thus, eligible institutions represent mid-size institutions conducting relevant and innovative cardiovascular research. 

Each invited institution may only submit one application to the program which meets the eligibility requirements for the 2026 Grant Cycle. Applicants must be full-time faculty at an invited non-profit academic, medical, non-governmental or research institutions. United States citizenship is not required. Junior faculty are encouraged to apply. 

The Co-Trustees of the Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust (Funder) have retained Health Resources in Action (HRiA - Administrator) to manage the administrative aspects of the Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust Awards Program for Coronary Heart Disease Research. Health Resources in Action (HRiA) is a non-profit organization that partners with individuals, organizations, and communities to transform the practices, policies, and systems that improve health and advance equity. 

Eligibility 
Each invited institution may submit a single application from a full-time faculty member. United States citizenship is not required. To encourage the support of junior faculty, applicants are ineligible if at the time of application, they have combined federal and nonfederal funding totaling $500,000 or more in direct costs during the first year of the Geneen Award. This figure refers to external funding only and not an applicant’s start-up package, other intramural support, or the Geneen Award itself. Applicants may hold a K Award or be in the R00 phase of a K99/R00 as long as those award amounts, combined with other funding, do not exceed these specified limits. 

Pending Federal and Non-Federal Support 
Applicants who have pending R01s or other large applications to the NIH and other agencies are encouraged to submit proposals to the Geneen Trust. Notification of funding after the application date will not impact eligibility for a Geneen Award. However, it is the responsibility of applicants to contact GeneenAwards@hria.org as soon as they are notified of any new funding. 

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
The Foundation will consider only one proposal from an organization in any calendar year.

Program Overview
The Foundation supports projects and applied research that:

• Generate local or regional solutions to problems affecting the quality of the environment and human life;
• Advance local leadership and promote professional development in the conservation, agricultural, and health sciences;
• Develop the capacity of local organizations and coalitions; and
• Address challenges in the field. 

The Foundation prefers to support projects that address under-funded issues and geographic areas.

The Foundation funds applied research, pilot projects, new initiatives, training, and technical assistance, rather than ongoing support for programs that are already well underway.  An important goal for the Foundation is to provide seed money to help promising projects, organizations, and individuals develop the track record they need to attract major foundation funding in the future.

Fields of Interest

The following are examples of the Foundation’s areas of interest within the fields of conservation, food, and health, and are not meant to be exclusive.

Conservation

Conservation grants promote environmental conservation through field research, projects, and advocacy that:

• Protect biodiversity and preserve natural resources.
• Help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
• Build the scientific and technical capacity of local conservation organizations and promote local, regional, and international partnerships.
• Increase engagement between scientists, local communities and organizations, and decision-makers.
• Partner with indigenous communities and local people.

Food

Grants in the food and agriculture program area focus on targeted demonstration, applied-research, and inquiry-based projects that support on-the-ground science and advocacy. Such efforts build capacity for self-sufficiency and resilience to climate change, enhance food security, strengthen local food systems, and support healthy nutrition through projects that: 

• Develop and promote sustainable agricultural practices
• Build the capacity of small-scale farmers.
• Advance farmer research and research partnerships.
• Develop environmentally sound and affordable approaches to control pests and diseases affecting important local food crops.
• Promote indigenous food sovereignty and knowledge systems.
• Address challenges of uptake and scalability through new methods of extension, education, and technology transfer.

Health

The Foundation supports efforts that test new ideas and approaches that promote public health, with a special emphasis on reproductive health and family planning and their integration with other health promotion activities.  It favors community-level disease prevention and health promotion projects and efforts that help strengthen regional and country public health systems over disease diagnosis, treatment, and care provided by clinics, hospitals, and humanitarian aid programs.

Activities that help increase capacity include applied research, program development, technical assistance, and training projects that:

• Promote reproductive health and family planning.
• Address issues related to mental and behavioral health.
• Address issues relating to pollution and environmental health.
• Increase the understanding of zoonotic and neglected tropical diseases.
• Address issues relating to nutrition and health.

Key Priorities

In all of its areas of interest, the Foundation gives priority to projects that have the potential to advance the field, build local capacity, promote replication, influence public opinion and policy, affect systems change, and benefit people beyond the immediate project and its local context.

Eligibility

The Foundation supports local, state, and regional organizations in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East in the countries where the projects are based.  It also supports organizations located in upper-income countries working with local partners in these areas.  It does not support projects in post-Soviet states or Balkan states.

Most types of organizations that can provide evidence of their non-governmental status or charitable purpose are eligible to apply, including non-governmental organizations, nonprofit organizations; civil society organizations; community-based organizations; and colleges, universities, and other academic institutions.

Government agencies and religious organizations may be included as project partners but are not eligible for direct funding.

The Foundation does not typically fund:

• Overhead or indirect project costs
• General operating support
• Direct food, health or other humanitarian aid
• Eco-tourism
• Buildings and capital improvements
• Projects ultimately intended for private gain.  All intellectual property developed with the grant should be public.
• Salaries for Executive Directors of U.S. and European-based organizations.
• Project expenses incurred before the grant is awarded.

Grant-Making Policies and Procedures

There is no minimum or maximum grant size. It is anticipated that most grants will fall in the $25,000-$50,000 per year range.

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Proposals from institutions with multiple departments (e.g., universities, medical centers, etc.) should be coordinated through the central development offices such that only one proposal will be submitted to the Hearst Foundations.

Program Overview
The Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources for organizations working in the fields of culture, education, health and social services. The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and satisfying lives.

Focus Areas

1. Culture - https://www.hearstfdn.org/culture 
   The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.Funding Priorities in Culture
   In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture. The minimum grant size is $100,000.
   
   Types of Support:
   - Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support
   
   Preference will be given to:
   - Artist development and training
   - Arts education programs that effectively fill the void of arts programming in K–12 curricula
   - Science programs based in museums or cultural organizations that focus on developing skills in science, technology, engineering, environment, arts and math
    

2. Education - https://www.hearstfdn.org/education 
   The Hearst Foundations fund educational institutions demonstrating uncommon success in preparing students to thrive in a global society. The Foundations’ focus is largely on higher education, but they also fund innovative models of early childhood and K-12 education, as well as professional development. The minimum grant size is $100,000.

   Types of Support:
   - Program, scholarship, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support
   
   Preference will be given to:
   - Higher education programs and scholarships and, on a limited basis, scholarships for post-graduate education
   College access and college success programming
   - Professional development for educators
   - Science education programs that focus on developing career pathways in science, technology, engineering, environment and math
   -  Programs educating the next generation of health professionals, such as nursing and mental health

3. Health - https://www.hearstfdn.org/health 
   The Hearst Foundations assist leading regional hospitals, medical centers and specialized medical institutions providing access to healthcare for high-need populations. In response to the shortage of healthcare professionals necessary to meet the country’s evolving healthcare demands, the Foundations also fund programs designed to enhance skills and increase the number of practitioners and educators across roles in healthcare. The Foundations also support public health, medical research and the development of young investigators to help create a broad and enduring impact on the nation’s health. The minimum grant size is $100,000.
   
   Types of Support:
   - Program, capital and, on a limited basis, endowment support
   
   Preference will be given to:
   - Professional development 
   - Programs improving access to high-quality healthcare for low-income populations, rural populations and/or veterans
   - Programs developing and providing specialized care for the complex needs of elderly populations
   - Programs providing behavioral and mental health care
   - Programs scaling innovative healthcare delivery systems to provide efficient, coordinated care
   - Research, particularly support for early career investigators and/or efforts related to finding new cures and treatmentfor prevalent diseases, such as cancer
    
4. Social Service - https://www.hearstfdn.org/social-service 
   
   The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need. The minimum grant size is $100,000.
   
   Types of Support:
   - Program, capital and general support
   
   Preference will be given to:
   - Affordable housing
   - Domestic violence victims 
   - Economic development with a focus on environmental sustainability
   - Food banks and food delivery, provided services are program-related
   - Job creation and job training
   - Legal services for those in need of legal representation
   - Prison education and reentry programs
   - Youth development
   - An organization’s national headquarters for wider initiatives instead of local chapters

Notices of Intent Under Review - Teams that have overlapping areas of interest have been contacted and additional tickets will be issued as these conflicts are resolved // Limit: 1 Phase I or Phase II Application per Focus Area - Each PI may only submit one proposal (99 total)

Topic Area 1: Reenvisioning Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Productivity // Limit: 6 // Tickets Available: 4
 Focus Area A - Agentic AI-Driven Chemical Manufacturing (BES) - OPEN
Focus Area B - AI-Driven Materials Processing (BES) - OPEN 
Focus Area C - AI-Enabled Manufacturing for Extreme Energy Systems (FES) - OPEN 
Focus Area D: Digitalization of Industrial Processes (ITO) – Y. Wang (Systems and Industrial Engineering)
Focus Area E: AI-Enabled Smart Manufacturing (AMMTO) - NOTICE OF INTENT UNDER REVIEW
Focus Area F: Energy Material Manufacturing (AFFO) - OPEN

Topic Area 2: Scaling the Biotechnology Revolution // Limit: 5 // Tickets Available: 2
Focus Area A: Biomolecular Science (BER) – T. Wheeler (Pharmacy Practice and Science)
Focus Area B: Genotype to Phenotype (BER) L. Meredith (School of Natural Resources and the Environment
Focus Area C: Predictive Engineering of Microbial Communities (BER) – M. Tfaily (Environmental Sciences) 
Focus Area D: Bio Design (BER) - OPEN
Focus Area E: AI-Enabled Biological Reaction Engineering, Bioreactor Design, Process Scale-up
and Integration (AFFO) - OPEN

Topic Area 3: Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply // Limit: 7 // Tickets Available: 4
Focus Area A: Resource Mapping and Development (AMMPTO) – J.G. Duan (Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics)
Focus Area B: AI-Enabled Materials Discovery and Engineering (AMMTO) – J.L. Bredas (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Focus Area C: Economic Modeling and Market Analysis (ASO) - OPEN
Focus Area D: Extraction and Processing Technologies (AMMPTO, AMMTO) - OPEN
Focus Area E: Geological Finder/Keepers – Y. Song (Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences)
Focus Area F: Connections for Isolation (BES) - OPEN 
Focus Area G: Biological Pathways to CMM (BER) - OPEN

Topic Area 4: Delivering Nuclear Energy that is Faster, Safer, Cheaper // Limit: 8 // Tickets Available: 8
Focus Area A - Accelerated Nuclear Power Plant Design and Licensing: Create an automated
process to enable rapid design, including safe and secure autonomous monitoring
and control of plant operations, licensing considerations, and rapid deployment of
advanced nuclear technologies using AI - OPEN
Focus Area B - Autonomous Power Plant Operations: Develop AI digital twin systems that
interpret plant operational data in real time, detect anomalies, and recommend
preemptive actions to maintain safety and operational performance - OPEN
Focus Area C: AI-Assisted Manufacturing and Construction: Support site selection, born certified
manufacturing, construction, supply chain reliability, and factory modular
production methods with AI technologies - OPEN 
Focus Area D: Autonomous Research and Development: Condense nuclear material research and
qualification timeframes using AI-driven pipelines for modeling, characterization,
evaluation, and qualification, while integrating decades of global historical
irradiation data - OPEN
Focus Area E: Accelerated Fuel Cycle Facility Design and Licensing to Secure the Domestic Fuel
Supply: Create automated processes to enable rapid design, licensing
considerations, and accelerated deployment of advanced fuel cycle technologies
using AI - OPEN
Focus Area F: AI-Assisted Site Characterization: Accelerate waste disposition site characterization
through AI Modeling - OPEN
Focus Area G: AI-Assisted End Disposition Design: Concept Design for Disposal of Used Nuclear
Fuel and Reprocessed Fuel Waste Streams - OPEN
Focus Area H: Development, Utilization and/or Adoption of AI and ML Tools to Support the
Efficient Review, Classification and Release of Legacy Documents to the Nuclear
Industry - OPEN

Topic Area 5: Accelerating Delivery of Fusion Energy // Limit: 7 // Tickets Available: 5
Focus Area A: Structural Materials (FES) - OPEN
Focus Area B: Plasma-Facing Materials (FES) - OPEN
Focus Area C: Advancing Confinement Approaches – C. Chan (Steward Observatory and Department of Astronomy)
Focus Area C: Advancing Confinement Approaches (FES) - OPEN
Focus Area D: Fuel Cycle and Tritium Processing (FES, NE) - OPEN
Focus Area E: Tritium Breeding Blankets (FES, NE) - OPEN
Focus Area F: Fusion Plant Engineering and System Integration – D. Ebert (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Focus Area G: Plasma Science and Technology (FES) - OPEN

Topic Area 6: Transforming Nuclear Restoration and Revitalization // Limit: 3 // Tickets Available: 3
Focus Area A: EM AI R&D Roadmap Implementation (EM-3.2, ASCR, LM) - OPEN
Focus Area B: Scale-Bridging AI Foundation Model (EM-3.2, ASCR) - OPEN
Focus Area C: Treatment Process Optimization (EM-3.2, ASCR) - OPEN

Topic Area 7: Discovering Quantum Algorithms with AI // Limit: 5 // Tickets Available: 4
Focus Area A: Application-aware Error Correction (ASCR) - OPEN
Focus Area B: Computational Tools for Fault Tolerant Quantum Computational Science (ASCR) - OPEN
Focus Area C: Hybrid Quantum-Classical Optimization Algorithms (BES) - OPEN
Focus Area D: Quantum Algorithms for Nonlinear Plasma Physics (FES) - OPEN
Focus Area E: Quantum Advantage for Nuclear and Hadronic Systems (NP, HEP) – P. Siwach (Physics)

Topic Area 8: Realizing Quantum Systems for Discovery // Limit: 4 // Tickets Available: 1
Focus Area A: AI for Quantum Systems Design – J. Chen (Electrical and Computer)
Focus Area B: AI for Control of Quantum System (HEP, NP) - OPEN
Focus Area C: AI for Quantum Imaging and Sensing (HEP, NP) – D. Soh (Wyant College of Optical Sciences) 
Focus Area D: AI for Quantum Computing and Networking (ASCR) – N. Rengaswamy (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Topic Area 9: Recentering Microelectronics in America // Limit: 10 // Tickets Available 5
Focus Area A: Angstrom (sub-1-nm) Scale Microelectronics Manufacturing (AMMTO) - OPEN
Focus Area B: Materials and Architectures for Non-von Neuman Computing Devices (BES) – X. Yan (Materials Science and Engineering)
Focus Area C: AI-Driven Architecture Design (ASCR) – J. Dass (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Focus Area D: 3D Non-Volatile Compute-In-Memory Technology (ASCR) – S. Salehi (Electrical and Computer Engineering) 
Focus Area E: Physics-Based Circuit Design, Simulation, and Emulation (ASCR) – H. Yang (Electrical and Computer Engineering
Focus Area F: Microelectronics in Harsh Environments (HEP) - OPEN
Focus Area G: Plasma-Enabled Microelectronics Manufacturing (FES) -OPEN
Focus Area H: Power Electronics and Communication Networks (ASCR) - OPEN
Focus Area I: Low-temperature Electronics for Sensors and Computation (ASCR, HEP) – M. Hassan (Physics)
Focus Area J: Transform Neuromorphic Computing Connectivity, Communication, and System
Hardware Integration (ASCR) - OPEN

Topic Area 14: Unifying Physics from Quarks to the Cosmos
Focus Area A: Foundation Models of Particle Interactions and Cosmic Physics – S. Pandey (Steward Observatory and Department of Astronomy)

Topic Area 15: Predicting U.S. Water for Energy
Focus Area A: Cloud Microphysics and Atmospheric Turbulence – X. Dong (Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences)

Topic Area 16: Scaling the Grid to Power the American Economy
Focus Area A: Grid Modeling and Analysis (OE, CMEI-IESO, SC-ASCR) – M. Chertkov (Mathematics)
Focus Area C: Uncertainty Quantification (SC-BER, SC-ASCR, OE, CMEI-IESO) – R. Tandon (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Topic Area 17: Unleashing Subsurface Strategic Energy Assets
Focus Area A: Chemical and Hydrologic Transport in Subsurface – S. Saleska (Ecology & Evolutionary Biology)

Topic Area 18: AI for Scientific Reasoning
Focus Area A: Trustworthy Mathematical and Symbolic Reasoning (ASCR) – E. Blanco (Computer Science)

Topic Area 20: Cybersecurity for AI-Driven Science Workflows
Focus Area A: AI for Adversarial Robustness and Resilience– M. Krunz (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Focus Area B: Data Provenance and Integrity Verification (ASCR) – D. Alharthi (College of Information Science) 
Focus Area C: Real-Time Attack Detection and Mitigation for AI Models (ASCR) – M. Li (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Topic Area 21: Artificial Intelligence in Fluid Flow for Energy Components and Technologies
Focus Area A: Physics-Informed AI for Complex Flow Modeling – K. Kratter (Astronomy)
Focus Area C: Data-Driven Operational Intelligence and System Resilience (IESO) – L. Zhang (Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics)

Limiting Language
Applicant institutions are limited to no more than one application as the lead institution per focus area for Phase I and Phase II applications combined. Phase II applications must list a primary focus area but will have the option to list secondary focus areas. The primary focus area will be used for determining limitations on institutional submissions.

There is no limitation to the number of applications for which the institution is not the lead in a multi-institution team using collaborative applications.

The PI on an application may also be listed as a senior or key personnel on an unlimited number of separate submissions but can be the lead PI on only one application.  However, the PI on an awarded Phase I award may submit a Phase II proposal as part of the FY27 go/no-go decision process.  

The full RFA is linked here. 

Executive Summary 
The DOE Office of Science (SC), Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), Office of Environmental Management (EM), Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Office of Electricity (OE), and Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Office (HGEO) hereby announce interest in receiving applications from interdisciplinary teams addressing the Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges to accelerate scientific discovery and research and development (R&D) workflows using novel artificial intelligence (AI) models and frameworks. By achieving AI advantage, these teams will advance the DOE's mission and ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through science and technology. Teams are encouraged to leverage the extensive scientific and data resources of the DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the National Laboratories, U.S. industry, and academia. The resulting AI models and workflows, if successful, may be integrated into the American Science Cloud. 

DOE is soliciting new FY26 Phase I small team and Phase II large team applications in the following topic areas: advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, quantum information science, semiconductors and microelectronics, discovery science, and energy (see specific focus areas in Section III Program Descriptions). 

In addition, this RFA will remain available to allow the recipients of FY26 Phase I awards to apply for larger team Phase II awards. In a few weeks, DOE plans to amend the RFA to clarify the LOI and application guidelines for FY26 Phase II awards. In FY27, DOE plans to amend the RFA or to issue an alternative funding opportunity to update the topic and focus areas to allow a second competition of Phase I small team applications and Phase II large team applications. 

Additional applications for Phase I and Phase II may be submitted after the corresponding deadline listed on the cover of this RFA, however, DOE reserves the right to decline such applications without review.

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 8 Concept Papers, 2 Phase I Proposals (1 Medical Research, 1 Science and Engineering)

 Program Description

Full sponsor guidelines: https://www.wmkeck.org/research-overview/

The mandate of the W.M. Keck Research Program is to support pioneering discoveries in Science, Engineering, and Medical Research.  The Foundation funds the high-risk and high-impact work of leading researchers to lay the groundwork for new paradigms, technologies, and discoveries that will save lives, provide innovative solutions and add to our understanding of the world.

Keck funded projects are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field.  We prioritize grants that pioneer biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation or methodologies.

Fit Self-Test: A Keck-ready idea can answer “yes” to most of the following questions:

• Does it discover how something works?
• Does it challenge an existing assumption?
• Is failure still scientifically valuable?
• Would federal agencies likely say, “too early”?

Keck Prioritizes:

• Work that is paradigm shifting, or challenges a prevailing hypothesis
• Work that creates a new field, or bridges disparate fields
• Work that departs from current approaches or challenges existing assumptions or frameworks
• Fundamental basic science questions focused on how systems work and the underlying mechanisms that govern them
• Discovery-driven logic
• Research where failure is informative

Keck Disfavors:

• Clinical or translational research (i.e., development of therapeutics)
• Outcome or patient impact framing
• Biomarkers as endpoints
• Engineering for its own sake
• Large mammal studies when they function as clinical or validation trials
• Already funded or derivative work

Important notes:

• Keck seeks to fund basic science that advances fundamental understanding
• Keck funds science, not engineering – unless engineering is essential to answer a scientific question
• Keck funds medical research, not clinical research
• Federal rejection is not required, but Keck fills gaps where federal agencies are too risk adverse.
• Keck does not consider tools, platforms, or methods as the primary idea. Tools, AI, and engineering may be supported only if required to answer a basic scientific question. 

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
For the 2027 award, one nomination will be invited from each of the participating institutions listed at the bottom of this page.

Program Overview
The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences provides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in their first few years of their appointment at the assistant professor level.

Based on their performance during their education and training, candidates should demonstrate outstanding promise as contributors in science relevant to human health. This program does not fund clinical trials research. Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research. Candidates whose work is based on biomedical principles but who bring in concepts and theories from more diverse fields are encouraged to apply.

Ideas with the potential to produce an unusually high impact are encouraged. Selection of the successful candidates will be based on a detailed description of the work that the applicant proposes to undertake, evaluations of the candidate’s performance, and notable past accomplishments, including honors, awards, and publications. In evaluating the candidates, the National Advisory Committee gives considerable weight to both the project proposal and the researcher, including evidence that the candidate is a successful independent investigator and has the skill set needed to carry out their high-impact proposal.

Funding from the NIH, other government sources, and project grants from nonprofit associations do not pose a conflict with the Pew scholars program. If you have questions concerning eligibility, please contact Pew Biomedical Programs (scholarsapp@pewtrusts.org) in advance of applying.

Eligibility

• Hold a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine, or a related field, including engineering or the physical sciences.
• As of Sept. 3, 2026, run an independent lab and hold a full-time appointment at the rank of assistant professor. (Appointments such as research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible).
• Current appointments such as research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible to apply.
• Must not have been appointed as an assistant professor and run an independent lab at any institution prior to June 10, 2023, whether or not such an appointment was on a tenure track. Time spent in clinical internships, residencies, in work toward board certification, or on parental leave does not count as part of this three-year limit. Candidates who need an exception on the three-year limit should contact Pew’s program office to ensure that application reviewers are aware an exception has been given.
• May apply to the program a maximum of two times. All applicants must be nominated by their institution and must complete the 2027 online application.
• If applicants have appointments at more than one eligible nominating institution or affiliate, they may not reapply in a subsequent year from a different nominating entity.
• May not be nominated for the Pew Scholars Program and the Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research in the same year.

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 nomination per major division 

Limiting Language
Each year, only one applicant may be nominated from a major division (e.g., College of Arts and Sciences, Medical School) of an institution.

Program Overview
The William T. Grant Scholars Program supports career development for promising early-career researchers. The program funds five-year research and mentoring plans that significantly expand researchers’ expertise in new disciplines, methods, and content areas. 

Applicants should have a track record of conducting high-quality research and an interest in pursuing a significant shift in their trajectories as researchers. We recognize that early-career researchers are rarely given incentives or support to take measured risks in their work, so this award includes a mentoring component, as well as a supportive academic community.

The Foundation supports research in two distinct focus areas: 1) Reducing inequality in youth outcomes, and 2) Improving the use of research evidence in policy and practice. Proposed research must address questions that align with one of these areas.

Focus Areas:

• Reducing Inequality
  • In this focus area, we fund research studies that aim to build, test, or increase understanding of programs, policies, or practices to reduce inequality in the academic, social, behavioral, or economic outcomes of young people ages 5–25 in the United States, along dimensions of race, ethnicity, economic standing, sexual or gender minority status, language minority status, or immigrant origins.
• Improving the Use of Research Evidence
  • In this focus area, we support research on strategies focused on improving the use of research evidence in ways that benefit young people ages 5-25 in the United States. We want to know what it takes to get research used by decision-makers and what happens when research is used. We welcome letters of inquiry for studies that pursue one of these broad aims.
    
    While an extensive body of knowledge provides a rich understanding of specific conditions that foster the use of research evidence, we lack robust, validated strategies for cultivating them. What is required to create structural and social conditions that support research use? What infrastructure is needed, and what will it look like? What supports and incentives foster research use? And, ultimately, how do youth outcomes fare when research evidence is used? This is where new research can make a difference.

Nomination Statement Requirements
This statement from the Dean or chairperson of the nominating division should describe why the applicant was selected; an assessment of the applicant’s plan; the applicant’s current and expected future roles in the division; the supporting resources available; the applicant’s current source and amount of salary; and the appointment, promotion, and institutional support plans for the applicant, including a guarantee that 50 percent of the applicant’s paid time will be devoted to research. (Successful examples of nominating statements can be found on the Foundation’s website.)

Eligible Applicants 

• Applicants must be nominated by their institutions. Major divisions of an institution (e.g., College of Arts and Sciences, Medical School) may nominate only one applicant each year.  In addition to the eligibility criteria below, deans and directors of those divisions should refer to the Review Criteria to aid them in choosing their nominees. Applicants of any discipline are eligible. 

• Applicants must have received their doctorate within seven years of submitting their application. We calculate this by adding seven to the year the doctorate was conferred. In medicine, the seven-year maximum is dated from the completion of the first residency. The month in which the degree was conferred or residency completed  does not matter for this calculation. 

• Applicants must be employed in career-ladder positions. For many applicants, this means holding a tenure-track position in a university. Applicants in other types of organizations should be in positions in which there is a pathway to advancement in a research career at the organization and the organization is fiscally responsible for the applicant’s position. The award may not be used as a post-doctoral fellowship. 

• Applicants outside the United States are eligible. As with U.S. applicants, they must pursue research that has compelling policy or practice implications for youth in the United States. 

• We strive to support a diverse group of researchers in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and seniority, and we encourage research projects led by Black or African American, Indigenous, Latinx, and/or Asian or Pacific Islander American  researchers.

Institutionally Coordinated // Limit: 1 

Limiting Language
Only one application per institution (identified by NIH IPF number) is allowed.

Purpose
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits applications to develop shared-use research facilities or research-supporting facilities that enable collaborative research and benefit broad research communities at large. The NOFO supports two existing construction programs: the Biomedical Research Facilities (BRF) program and the HIV/AIDS Research Facilities (HRF) program.

The BRF program supports the construction or modernization of biomedical research facilities that advance basic, translational, clinical, or behavioral science research in all areas. Intended facilities include shared research spaces, core facilities, biorepositories, or other shared-use resource facilities that serve a broad scientific community with a significant, long-term impact on biomedical research.

The HRF program funds the development of HIV/AIDS research or research-supporting resources that the empowered research activities must align with the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) priorities, as outlined at OAR HIV/AIDS Research Priorities, including research focusing on the long-term health consequences of HIV infection.

NIH encourages applications from institutions across all geographic regions of the country, including Institutions of Emerging Excellence (IEE) in biomedical research, to strengthen the nation’s research capacity.