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Biomedical, Clinical & Life Sciences

NIH Director's Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 2

Limiting Language 
Only two applications per institution (identified by Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number or NIH IPF number) are allowed.


Program Description
Full sponsor guidelines are linked here.

The NIH Director's Early Independence Award helps talented new researchers begin their own independent research program soon after finishing their doctoral degree or clinical training, without first doing postdoctoral training.The award accepts applications on any topic fitting the NIH mission. It is part of the NIH Common Fund's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator)
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support. 

Requirements

  • One PD/PI only: Applications can have only one PD/PI. Multiple PD/PIs are not allowed. Only the PD/PI may be listed as Senior/Key Personnel and submit a biosketch.
  • Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is not required. If the PD/PI is not a U.S. citizen, the institution must ensure the visa permit allows them to do the proposed research in the U.S. for the full project period.
  • Degree or clinical training dates: The PD/PI must complete their terminal doctoral degree or post-graduate clinical training between May 1, 2025, and September 30, 2027.
    • The date shown on the official transcript is considered the date the degree was completed.
    • Clinical training includes residency and fellowship.
    • At the time of award, either:
      • The PD/PI must have an eligible doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. or foreign institution, oR
      • An authorized official must confirm all degree requirements are complete and the degree will be awarded before September 30, 2027.
  • Post-doctoral experience: The PD/PI must not have more than 12 months of postdoctoral training after an earlier, non-terminal doctoral degree. This applies only to individuals with multiple doctoral degrees.
  • Effort required:
    • Years 1-2: At least 9.6 person-months per year (80% effort) on the award project
    • Years 3-5:  At least 9.6 person-months per year (80% effort) on independent research overall, including the award project and any other independent research led by the PD/PI.
  • Non-independence required: At the time of application, the PD/PI must still be non-independent. All the following must apply:
    • Research direction requires mentor approval
    • Research is mainly supported through another investigator's funding (mentored fellowships, such as an NIH F31/F32 or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, do not make an applicant ineligible)
    • No institutionally assigned research space
    • Cannot apply for an NIH R01 without a special institutional waiver or exception

The PD/PI may become independent before the award starts and still remain eligible.

  • Independent position required: The PD/PI must have a guaranteed, pending independent research position and be able to begin independent research by the project start date.
    • The position does not have to be permanent or tenure-track.
    • The position may depend on receiving this award.
    • The institution must provide substantial support, as described in the application.
    • Moving to a new institution may be advantageous but is not required.
  • Career awards: ThePD/PI may apply for both a K award and DP5 simultaneously, but the projects must not overlap scientifically. A PD/PI cannot hold both simultaneously; if awarded the DP5, the K award must be relinquished.
  • Site visit: NIH will conduct a site visit near the end of the first year to assess progress and confirm institutional support and independence. If support is insufficient, NIH may take corrective action, including reducing or terminating funding.
Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
9/10/2026
Solicitation Type

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Produce Prescription Program

Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 0 

R. Tronstad (Agricultural and Applied Economics)

Limiting Language 
Limit one submission per eligible entity. An entity is an autonomous organization. Organizations with a hierarchical structure of multiple locations/offices grouped under the authority of a larger system/main office may submit one application from the autonomous system/main office. For academic institutions, this is defined as the Higher Education Directory System Office, published by Higher Education Publications, Inc., 6400 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 648, Falls Church, Virginia 22042 (703-532-2300).  

Executive Summary
This notice identifies the objectives for GusNIP - Produce Prescription Program (PPR) projects, deadline dates, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a GusNIP - Produce Prescription Program grant. The amount available for grants in FY 2026 is approximately $5,280,800.  

The GusNIP-PPR supports projects that aim to demonstrate and evaluate the impact of prescribing freshfruits and vegetables on (1) the improvement of dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables; (2) the reduction of individual and household food insecurity; and (3) the reduction in healthcare use and associated costs. 

The GusNIP - Nutrition Incentive Program National Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Center’s (NTAE) Nutrition Incentive Hub provides free group sessions, one-onone support, as well as templates, checklists, webinars, and other resources, to all applicants.  These resources are available at https://www.nutritionincentivehub.org/resources and the GusNIP NTAE technical assistance team may be reached at ta@nutritionincentivehub.org.  

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)-Technical Assistance

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Limiting Language
You may not submit more than one application. If you submit more than one application, we will only accept the last on-time submission.

Summary
The purpose of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Technical Assistance (RCORP-TA) is to connect rural communities with high-quality, comprehensive, and tailored resources and supports to implement and sustain behavioral health care, including prevention, treatment, and recovery services, to address the opioid epidemic and related substance use concerns in rural areas. RCORP-TA supports and complements other 

RCORP investments to: 
• address the crisis of substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder, in rural areas. 
• prevent substance misuse and its effects. 
• promote long-term, sustained well-being. 

RCORP’s focus is on opioid misuse and its impact on rural America. However, people who misuse opioids often struggle with other substance use, including alcohol, and behavioral health or social needs. The complex nature of SUD, including OUD, requires comprehensive systems and lifespan approach to prevent future problems, address barriers to care, and encourage long-term recovery. This program provides TA for a range of SUD-related behavioral health needs across individual, family, organizational, and community levels.

Funding Type
External Deadline
7/27/2026

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Innovative Nutrition Education Cooperative Agreement Project

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Limiting Language
FNA will accept only one application from each organization/agency or consortium in response to this solicitation.

Eligibility Criteria
Entities that do not meet the eligibility definitions will be deemed ineligible and removed from competition without further consideration. In order to be eligible for this grant, applicants must be one of the eligible entities listed below and must demonstrate experience in providing FDPIR-related nutrition education, food safety education/training, or food service-related training to ITOs and State agencies who administer FDPIR during the three-year period preceding the submission of a proposal for this cooperative agreement. Applicants are required to submit documentary evidence of work detailed in the Demonstrated Experience section below or they will be deemed ineligible.

The following are eligible entities:

  1. An ITO or State agency that administers FDPIR.
  2. A nonprofit or private organization: 
    1. All nonprofit organizations must include their 501(c)(3) determination letter issued by the IRS. If any other nonprofit status applies, i.e., 501(c)(4), please describe here. 
  3. An accredited public or private academic institution of higher education including Tribal colleges and universities (as defined in 20 U.S.C. §1001).
  4. An Eligible Tribal entity as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 5304 or a national Tribal organization.

Executive Summary
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) works to nourish those in need through financially sound programs that promote health and work, as well as champion the productivity of American agriculture. USDA FNA seeks to enter into a cooperative agreement(s) with an organization(s)/agency(ies) with expertise in working with Tribal communities who can develop, design, and implement an innovative nutrition education project for participants and program staff of the FDPIR. A maximum of $500,000 will be made available for this opportunity for the period of performance from September 2026 to September 2028. The goal for this project is to develop and deliver an innovative nutrition education project. This project will provide participants receiving benefits and services from Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and State agencies that administer FDPIR with culturally appropriate nutrition education activities and programming that promote USDA Foods and support Secretary Brooke Rollins’ priority to strengthen strategies that encourage healthy choices, healthy outcomes, and healthy families. The tools and resources developed under this cooperative agreement must align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 – 2030 (Dietary Guidelines) and support the efforts of FDPIR program staff in conducting nutrition education activities for FDPIR participants who receive USDA Foods. 

Eligible applicants are ITOs and State agencies that administer FDPIR, nonprofit or private organizations, accredited public or private academic institution of higher education including Tribal colleges and universities, and eligible Tribal entities as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 5304 or a national Tribal organization. Please read the RFA thoroughly for full eligibility requirements, available in Section 3. 

The FY 2026 FDPIR Nutrition Education Cooperative Agreement opportunity will fund up to two projects for 24 months (2 years). Award amounts will range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $500,000. 

  1. ^Please note that this document refers to FNS forms instead of FNA temporarily, as the agency works towards an official process to update reporting form names.
Funding Type
External Deadline
7/31/2026

AACN Jonas Scholars Program

Limit: 2 (College of Nursing students only) // Tickets Available: 0

K. Fauvell (Nursing)
R. Knight (Nursing) 

Limiting Language
Institutions are allowed to submit up to two students for consideration.

Program Overview
The goal of the Jonas Scholars program is to improve health care by expanding the pool of PhD and DNP-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders. The Jonas Scholars program provides financial assistance, a curriculum of leadership and learning opportunities, and networking support to expand the pipeline of nurse educators. Launched in 2008, the Jonas Scholars program is the signature initiative of Jonas Nursing, whose mission is to enhance the nursing profession by developing nurse leaders who will address the nursing shortage by educating the future nursing workforce.
 

Nursing Workforce Development

Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 0

J. Young (Nursing)

Limiting Language 
You may not submit more than one application. If you submit more than one application, we will only accept the last on-time submission. 

Summary
The purpose of the Nursing Workforce Development (NWD) program is to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Maternal Health Emergency Management Training (MHEMT)

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Limiting Language
You may not submit more than one application. If you submit more than one application, we will only accept the last on-time submission

Summary
The Maternal Health Emergency Management Training (MHEMT) program increases capacity and helps clinicians and first responders provide better care to pregnant and postpartum women, especially in places without delivery services or with limited health care resources. 

The program addresses a persistent gap in workforce training in these settings where maternal health emergencies are encountered infrequently but require rapid recognition, stabilization, and coordination of care. 

Challenges in care delivery are also worsened by the growing number of counties with no hospital-based obstetric services in the United States. 

The program is designed around two distinct initiatives.

Funding Type
External Deadline
7/20/2026

Technical Assistance and Training for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems

Request Ticket // Limit: 4 (one per Priority Area) // Tickets Available: 4

Limiting Language
Under this competition, only one application may be submitted for each Priority Area per applicant. If an applicant submits more than one application for a single Priority Area, EPA will contact them before the review process begins to determine which application(s) will be withdrawn. If the applicant is unable to communicate a decision within two business days of being contacted by the EPA, the EPA will accept the application received by Grants.gov first. Additional information regarding the one application per applicant requirement may be found in the FAQ document.

Priority Areas

  1. Priority Area 1 - Acquisition of Financing/Funding
    Technical assistance and training for rural, small, and Tribal municipalities for planning, developing and acquisition of financing/funding for eligible projects and activities.
  2. Priority Area 2 - Protect Water Quality and Compliance Assistance Technical assistance and training for rural, small, and Tribal publicly owned treatment works and decentralized wastewater systems to help improve water quality and to achieve and maintain compliance.
  3. Priority Area 3 - Tribal
    Technical assistance and training focused specifically on Tribes for planning, developing and acquisition of financing/funding, to help improve water quality and achieve and maintain compliance, and/or to support emerging contaminants project development.
  4. Priority Area 4 - Decentralized Systems
    Information Dissemination, Technical Assistance and Training focused specifically on decentralized wastewater treatment systems to support planning, development and acquisition of financing.

Executive Summary 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications under the authority of the Clean Water Act (CWA) section 104(b)(8) to provide Technical Assistance and Training for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems. The program supports small, rural, and Tribal communities’ efforts to identify water challenges, develop plans, build technical, financial, and managerial capacity, comply with CWA requirements, and access water infrastructure funding. 

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Clean Water Act, EPA will achieve greater protection of public health and the environment through an increase in trained water sector personnel, access to funding and financing for wastewater treatment facilities, and Clean Water Act compliance. This action advances the Administration’s priorities, including to Make America Healthy Again, by improving water quality and reducing exposure risks, and enabling responsible economic growth for small, rural, and tribal communities through improved wastewater infrastructure. In partnership with States, Tribes, and local governments and grounded in sound science and the law, EPA will deliver cleaner water, stronger infrastructure, and long-term environmental stewardship for all Americans. 

The proposed activities support the Agency’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative’s Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American. Priority Areas identified in this opportunity are: 

  1. Technical assistance and training for rural, small, and Tribal municipalities for planning, developing and acquisition of financing/funding for eligible projects and activities. 
    • Technical assistance and training for rural, small, and Tribal publicly owned treatment works and decentralized wastewater systems to help improve water quality and to achieve and maintain compliance.
  2. Technical assistance and training focused specifically on Tribes for planning, developing and acquisition of financing/funding, to help improve water quality and achieve and maintain compliance, and/or to support emerging contaminants project development. 
  3. Information dissemination, technical assistance and training focused specifically on decentralized wastewater treatment systems to support planning, development and acquisition of financing.

Eligible entities for this grant program include nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education that can provide technical assistance and training to rural, small, and Tribal municipalities, publicly owned wastewater treatment works, and decentralized wastewater treatment systems. Assisting systems with their technical, managerial, and financial capacity to achieve long-term compliance is a key priority for the Agency. Infrastructure construction projects such as repairing water or sewer lines, adding new equipment, or upgrading, retrofitting, or rehabilitating existing equipment are not eligible for funding under this announcement.

 

Advancing Behavioral Health in Corrections: Training and Policy Innovation Initiative

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Limiting Language
Only one (1) application will be accepted from a submitting organization.

Executive Summary
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) acknowledges the pressing challenges facing behavioral health care within correctional settings nationwide. Correctional facilities increasingly contend with complex mental health and substance use issues among incarcerated individuals, yet existing behavioral health services are consistently limited by service gaps, inconsistent institutional policies, and insufficient staff training, as revealed through research and dialogue with NIC’s Mental Health Network. These shortcomings jeopardize the rehabilitation and well- being of those in custody, while also causing elevated staff stress, burnout, and organizational instability. 

Through this cooperative agreement, NIC will launch a comprehensive initiative to address these systemic concerns. The project will encompass an in-depth gap analysis of behavioral health services, a rigorous review of institutional policies to ensure alignment with national standards, and robust stakeholder engagement to inform program development. Input from corrections professionals and behavioral health experts will play a pivotal role in shaping project strategies and solutions.

A primary outcome of these efforts will be the creation of a dynamic behavioral health training e-course designed for correctional staff. This curriculum will draw on evidence-based best practices—including trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioral techniques, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, and crisis intervention strategies. By equipping staff with practical, accessible tools rooted in the realities of correctional work, the initiative will enhance staff skills, foster professional development and wellness, and ultimately contribute to a safer and more stable correctional environment.

Funding Type
External Deadline
7/31/2026