Biomedical, Clinical & Life Sciences

Limit: 1 LOI per College

K. Wong (College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture) 

Limiting Language
Organizations may submit only one Letter of Inquiry per deadline. Common exceptions include LOIs submitted by separate departments of large universities. Per clarification with RRF, the University of Arizona may submit one LOI per college per deadline. 

Overview
RRF Foundation for Aging focuses on improving the quality of life for older people. In an effort to strengthen the Foundation’s impact, RRF has established Priority Areas. These Priority Areas are specific topics in aging that will be given higher priority within the Foundation’s grantmaking program.

Types of Grants

1. Advocacy: Achieve enduring social change around issues that affect older Americans
2. (Ineligible - for applicants in Illinois only) Direct Service: Improve availability and quality of community-based services and supports in seven states
3. Research: Seek causes and solutions to significant problems for older persons
4. Knowledge Sharing and Awareness Raising: Knowledge sharing and awareness-raising projects that convey meaningful information, shape narratives, and drive positive change. 
5. (Ineligible - for applicants in Illinois only) Organizational Capacity Building: Improve management and governance of non-profit organizations

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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. 

Your single application must include your application for the base WISH award and, if applicable, your request for one or more of the optional supplemental funding opportunities described in this NOFO. You may not submit separate applications for the base award and supplemental funding.

Summary
The purpose of the Women’s Initiative for Screening and Health (WISH) is to improve women’s health across the lifespan by increasing access to and availability of preventive health services. Through a multidisciplinary coalition of healthcare providers, academic institutions, and patient-centered organizations, WISH drives a comprehensive strategy to: 

• Review and recommend evidence-based updates to the HRSA-supported Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines (referred to in this notice of funding opportunity as the Guidelines). 
• Raise awareness and knowledge of the Guidelines among the general public with a focus on communities with limited access to preventive health services. 
• Increase clinicians’ use of the Guidelines in standard clinical practice. 

Under section 2713 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148 (42 U.S.C. 300gg-13), most health insurance plans created or changed after March 23, 2010 (called non-grandfathered plans) must cover services listed in these Guidelines without charging patients (no copays, deductibles, or coinsurance).

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Limiting Language
Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique UEI or NIH IPF number) is allowed.

Program Description 
The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to support applications to continue the Immune Tolerance Network (ITN). The primary objective of the Network is to develop tolerogenic therapies for immune-mediated disorders. The three main clinical areas of work are: 1) Allergic diseases and asthma; 2) Autoimmune diseases; and 3) Immune-mediated consequences of transplantation. The core functions of the ITN include designing, conducting, and sharing the results of clinical trials and performing integrated mechanistic studies.

Full sponsor guidelines are linked here.

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Limiting Language
Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique entity identifier (UEI)) is allowed.

Funding Opportunity Description
The purpose of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Institutional Training Program in Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is to support pre-doctoral and postdoctoral training for research careers in fields which jointly advance information sciences and data-driven discovery. As the scale and complexity of biomedical and health data continue to grow, there is an increasing national need for a highly skilled workforce capable of developing innovative computational, statistical, and information science approaches to accelerate biomedical discovery and improve health. Graduates of NLM-supported T15 programs are expected to conduct original basic or applied research at the intersection of computer, statistical, and information sciences and one or more biomedical application domains, preparing them for research- and development-oriented roles in academic institutions, not-for-profit research institutes, governmental and public health agencies, biomedical and technology companies, and health care organizations.

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Limiting Language
An eligible organization can submit a maximum of two Written Proposals per Topic Announcement for Phase 0 as a lead organization. Senior/Key Personnel may be listed on a maximum of one Written Proposal per Topic Announcement. 

Topic Description
It is time for the next leap in the study of biology. By reliably linking protein sequence and structure to biological function, the United States can unlock a new era of biological engineering in which biological components are designed rather than discovered. Platform technologies that enable precise control over protein function will open the door to entirely new products and processes that use engineered biological components and outputs, such as enzymes. These capabilities will reshape the economics of biomanufacturing, chemical engineering, biosensing, and agriculture, among other sectors. 

Although recent advances allow us to predict the static structure of proteins, we lack insight into their dynamic behavior. Even in minimal cells, the function of many genes and proteins remains unknown. NSF X-Labs in this space will close that gap by creating platform technologies that enable the intentional design of individual proteins or entire genomes whose function is predictable and/or controllable. Teams will pioneer and integrate advances in protein design/synthesis, genome assembly, synthetic cells, or experimental functional discovery and validation. Additionally, NSF X-Labs might use super intelligence (SI) to dramatically accelerate our ability to engineer the behavior of designed proteins or synthetic cells, including their metabolic requirements, stability, functional outputs, by-products, or system-level interactions.  

Examples of relevant Missions include, but are not limited to: the creation of models that enable the prediction of protein–molecule interactions, including novel approaches to the collection or integration of SI training data; the design and application of nanoscale protein-based molecular motors; an enzyme function platform to discover and engineer enzyme pathways that have specific molecular behaviors; and a synthetic cell/genome platform to design and instantiate genomes with predictable and controllable biological function.  

An NSF X-Labs Mission in this Topic must be transformative, accelerating breakthroughs in our understanding of the relationship between sequence and function, and catalyzing capabilities to engineer proteins or entire genomes with exceptional new capabilities. Successful teams will develop platform technologies, demonstrate measurable impact on the U.S. biotechnology landscape, and position their technologies for widespread use by overcoming technical barriers that limit implementation and investment. Although NSF X-Labs in this space will have widespread applicability, each team should identify 2-3 high-utility domains and should eventually establish projects in them. Teams proposing to this topic should identify how their approach to biosafety and biosecurity is tailored to their Mission and its pilot application domains including an assessment of dangerous gain-of-function and an accompanying plan to mitigate unintended consequences. 

Examples of challenges not considered in scope for this Topic include: development of technologies where the impact is narrow and not widely deployable; fundamental research without potential for application in platform technologies; incremental advancement of the state of the art; standalone predictive models that do not generate or integrate new experimental data; and advancement of technologies that are already developed or supported by existing R&D investments by the U.S. public or private sectors. 

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Z. Yan (Chemistry and Biochemistry)

Limiting Language
Only two nominations are allowed per institution.

Program Description
Our commitment to enriching the research skills and professional growth of young faculty members at ORAU member institutions is embodied in the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program. These competitive research awards provide seed money for junior faculty members that often result in additional funding from other sources. The award amount provided by ORAU is $5,000. The applicant’s institution is required to match the award with at least an additional $5,000. This grant has a duration of one year, running from July 1 to June 30, with award notifications issued in early June.

Eligibility for the Powe Awards is open to full-time assistant professors at ORAU member institutions within two years of their tenure track appointment at the time of application. If there is a question about eligibility, your ORAU Councilor makes the final determination. Only two nominations are allowed per institution.

Research must fall within on of these seven diciplines:

• Engineering and Applied Science
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics/Computer Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Policy, Management, or Education
• Critical Mineral Constraints on SMR Deployment Capacity in the U.S.
• Responsible AI in STEM Education Policy

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Limiting Language
Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique UEI or NIH IPF number) is allowed.

Purpose
The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to support research and/or preclinical development of highly efficacious vaccines against malaria - one of the deadliest mosquito-borne diseases - by capitalizing on recent technological innovations, particularly in structure-based immunogen design, improved formulations, and combination vaccines. The goal is to achieve long-lasting, highly effective protection that can save lives, strengthen public health security in the United States, and serve as a model for, or are potentially effective against, other mosquito-borne diseases. 

Full sponsor guidelines are linked here.

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Limiting Language 
The Mathers Foundation Grants Program is a limited competition, where eligible organizations may submit up to three (3) institute-nominated Letter of Inquiry (LOI) applications per grant cycle. 

Program Overview
Full sponsor guidelines are linked here.

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.

Please note, while RDS and SPS will manage submitting the institutional nomination, it is the responsibility of the selected faculty members to complete the portal registration by the January 28, 2027 at 8pm EST deadline.

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Limiting Language 
Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique entity identifier (UEI) number or NIH IPF number) is allowed

Description
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits applications for research on novel therapies for adult glioblastoma (GBM). The goal is to improve the treatment of adult GBM by developing novel effective agents that can cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and testing them clinically. Successful early-stage trials of new drugs from this NOFO would transition seamlessly to later stage trials using well-established NCI clinical trial mechanisms.

To implement this concept, a highly collaborative GBM Therapeutics Network (GTN) of cross-cutting teams will be established, each team capable of driving therapeutic agent(s) from pre-clinical development, through investigational new drugs (IND) studies, into pilot clinical studies in humans. Appropriate therapeutic agents include: (1) novel agents or (2) agents or combinations approved for other indications and repurposed for treatment of GBM following appropriate preclinical studies. The scope of the NOFO, from late pre-clinical through early (Phase 0/1) clinical studies, uniquely spans a gap in the GBM drug development process.

Limit: 2 per school, center, or lab for universities

O. Leal-Neto (Global Health Institute - Public Health) 
L. Li (College of Information Science)
D. Kuhlmann (College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture) 

Limiting Language
An organization is allowed to submit up to two applications in the same or different focus areas. Joint projects with multiple organizations count as a single application under the lead applicant.

UPDATED LANGUAGE For universities, the limit applies per school, center, or lab, but we do not expect to fund more than one or two projects from any one university.

Overview
Nearly half of the world’s population lives in cities. Public services shape those residents’ everyday lives. They affect whether they can get health care, find meaningful work, live safely, and have a voice in local decisions. City governments and their partners are on the front lines of delivering these public services. 

Artificial intelligence now offers new ways to meet these needs. AI can help residents access services, anticipate problems before they become crises, and respond to resident needs more effectively. Putting these capabilities to work requires solutions built around residents’ needs and developed in partnership with city governments. 

In 2023, we convened over 40 civic leaders to explore how AI could improve city services. City data and AI leads across six continents, along with academic, philanthropic, and nonprofit partners, shared their use cases and discussed how to best optimize AI’s promise while mitigating the potential risks. Throughout the two- day convening, the partners expressed a clear and consistent theme: cities want to have the talent, tools, and resources to improve city services and resident wellbeing with cutting-edge technologies. In response, The Rockefeller Foundation supported partnerships for three cities to test how AI could improve livelihoods. Building on this experience, we are pleased to deepen our collaboration and expand our ambition to improve the wellbeing of city residents. 

There is growing demand, and growing potential, to strengthen public services on a global scale. Philanthropy is well-positioned to support the innovation and partnerships necessary to meet this potential. 

The Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI Foundation are committing $50 million to Cities Deliver to support this work. The initiative will provide grants of $500,000 to $2 million to organizations working with city governments to improve public services through AI, especially for underserved communities. Together, these projects will aim to reach up to 100 million city residents worldwide. 

Building on the lessons from this cohort and others, we aspire to grow our reach and impact through new funding partnerships, supporting the actors, sectors, and conditions necessary for safe AI solutions to benefit humanity. As societies work to shape the future of AI, we aim to spark imagination and make possible a future in which a mix of AI innovation and human ingenuity improves opportunities and wellbeing for the world’s most vulnerable communities.