NIH PAR-21-155, Academic Research Enhancement Award for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• Application budgets limited to no more than $300,000 in direct costs per year for 3-year projects.

The purpose of this Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions is to support small scale research grants at institutions that do not receive substantial funding from the NIH, with an emphasis on providing biomedical research experiences primarily for undergraduate students, and enhancing the research environment at applicant institutions. Eligible institutions must award baccalaureate science degrees and have received no more than $6 million dollars per year of NIH support (in both direct and F&A/indirect costs) in 4 of the last 7 fiscal years.

American Academy of Neurology, Career Development Award

• Awards of $150,000 per year for 3 years will be awarded.

AAN invites applications for its Career Development Award. Grants will be awarded in support of junior investigators interested in an academic career in neurology. Investigators may also be interested in clinical, basic, or translational neurological research.

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, Prevention Pipeline Program

• Must be invited to submit full proposal due Dec. 3^rd.
• Grants of up to $3 million will be awarded based on project needs and scope of research.

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) is inviting applications to its Prevention Pipeline program. Awards will be made in support of comparative effectiveness research, studies of cognitive symptoms due to health conditions, and epidemiological studies that probe whether the use or choice of drugs alters the risk for dementia or cognitive decline.

Program will support projects in:

Whitehall Foundation, Bioscience Research Projects

• Must be invited to submit full proposal due Feb. 15^th.

The Whitehall Foundation assists scholarly research in the life sciences through its research grants and grants-in-aid programs. It is the foundation's policy to support those dynamic areas of basic biological research that are not heavily supported by federal agencies or other foundations with specialized missions. The foundation emphasizes the support of young scientists at the beginning of their careers and productive senior scientists who wish to move into new fields of interest.

The foundation will award two types of projects:

USDA-NRCS-NHQ-REJ-21-NOFO0001121, Conservation Outreach: Racial Equity and Justice Conservation Cooperative Agreements

• $50 million available in FY22.
• Awards expected to be between $100,000 and $1 million.
• A webinar for potential applicants will be scheduled in late Sept.  Info for attending this webinar will be added to the RFA and posted within the opportunity on Grants.gov.

The Office of Outreach and Partnerships Division (OPD) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all NRCS customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching the underserved and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners.

NIH PAR-21-271, Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• Award budgets should be composed of salary and other program-related expenses.
• Project duration expected to be no more than 5 years.

The purpose of the Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00) program is to support a cohort of early career, independent investigators from diverse backgrounds conducting research in NIH mission areas. The long-term goal of this program is to enhance diversity in the biomedical research workforce.

Baxter, Detecting Microbial Contamination In Aqueous Solutions

We are seeking novel methods for detecting microbial contamination in aqueous solutions that can be performed by unskilled operators such as patients. The project should result in a demonstrated proof-of-concept or prototype.  Today, our aqueous solutions are produced and terminally sterilized in large manufacturing facilities. At Baxter, we envision a future where solutions are produced at smaller scale and closer to the point-of-use. To realize this vision, we must ensure that the final solutions delivered to patients are free from microorganisms.

Baxter, Detecting Endotoxin Contamination In Aqueous Solutions

• Awards expected to be between $150,000 - $300,000 for 6 – 12 month projects.

At Baxter, we envision a future where solutions are produced at smaller scale and closer to the point-of-use. To realize this vision, we must ensure that the final solutions delivered to patients are free from endotoxins.  We are seeking simplified methods for detecting endotoxin contamination in aqueous solutions that can be performed by untrained operators, such as patients. The project should result in a demonstrated proof-of-concept or prototype.

NASA NNJ21ZSA001N, Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) 2021 OMNIBUS

• Step-1 proposals due Sept. 1.  Step-2 proposals due Dec. 1.
• $8.285 million available to fund approx. 3-5 awards.
• Awards expected to range from $100,000 to $1 million per year for 5-year projects depending on the extent of the activities proposed.

This National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research Announcement (NRA), entitled “Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO)–2021”, solicits applied research in support of NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP). The research will fall into one or more categories corresponding to HRP’s five Elements: Space Radiation, Human Health Countermeasures, Exploration Medical Capability, Human Factors and Behavioral Performance, and Research Operations and Integration.

NIH RFA-HG-21-001, Technology Development for Single-Molecule Protein Sequencing and Single-Cell Proteome Analysis (R01 Clinical Trial not allowed)

• LOIs due Sept. 1st.  Full proposals Oct. 1st.
• $20 million available to fund approx. 8-10 awards.
• Awards expected to be no more than $500,000 in direct costs per year for 3-year projects.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits grant applications to catalyze major advances in single-molecule protein sequencing and single cell proteome analysis through technology development. The goal of this initiative is to achieve technological advances over the next five years that enable generation of protein sequencing data at sufficient scale, speed, cost and accuracy to use routinely in studies of genome biology and function, and in biomedical and clinical research in general.

NIH RFA-DK-21-023, NIDDK Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• $2.5 million available to fund approx. 8 awards.
• Proposed budgets should reflect actual needs of the project.  Project period should be no longer than 5 years.

The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH.  The overarching goal of this R25 program is to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research.

To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on:

NSF 16-572, Cooperative Studies Of The Earth's Deep Interior (CSEDI)

• $2 million available to fund 5-10 awards.

The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) invites the submission of proposals for collaborative, interdisciplinary studies of the Earth's interior within the framework of the community-based initiative known as Cooperative Studies of the Earth's Deep Interior (CSEDI). Funding will support basic research on the character and dynamics of the Earth's mantle and core, their influence on the evolution of the Earth as a whole, and on processes operating within the deep interior that affect or are expressed on the Earth's surface.

NIH RFA-RM-21-017, NIH Director’s Transformative Research Awards (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

• $8 million available to fund approx. 7 awards.
• Award size is not limited but should match the scope of the proposed research.  Project period should be no longer than 5 years.

The NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award Program supports individual scientists or groups of scientists proposing groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative, original, and/or unconventional research with the potential to create new scientific paradigms, establish entirely new and improved clinical approaches, or develop transformative technologies. For the program to support the best possible researchers and research, applications are sought which reflect the full diversity of the nation’s research workforce.

Amgen, Competitive Grant Program in Migraine Research

• Awards expected to be between $50,000 - $150,000.

Amgen invites applications for its Competitive Grant Program in Migraine Research, which will award grants to early career investigators in support of novel research that aims to advance the medical knowledge of migraine.

Specific predefined areas of eligible research include non-interventional clinical research with a focus on early diagnosis and treatment, epidemiology, and Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO)/Quality of Life (QoL) measures; biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis; and preclinical research focused on mechanism of disease (non-calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP]- and non-pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide [PACAP]-related).

NIH RFA-AG-22-009, Short Courses on Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Sciences Research on Aging (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• LOIs due Sept 4th.  Full proposals due Oct. 4th.
• $450,000 available to fund 3 awards.
• Awards limited to $139,000 in direct costs per year for 5-year projects.

The goal of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support short courses geared towards advancing selected priority topic areas identified by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) in order to advance research in the behavioral and social sciences. This FOA targets the following three priority research areas: 1) genomics for social scientists; 2) interdisciplinary social science research in aging; and 3) reproducibility in the social and behavioral sciences.

NIH RFA-AG-22-003, NIA Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI): Entrepreneurship Enhancement Award (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• LOIs due Sept 4th.  Full proposals due Oct. 4th.
• $1.8 million available to fund approx. 8-10 awards.
• Awards limited to $150,000 in direct costs per year for 5-year projects.

The purpose of the Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI): NIA Entrepreneurship Enhancement Award (R25) is to promote the development of entrepreneurial education programs that are designed to broaden the skillset of graduate students and postdocs, as well as early career master's, Ph.D., and Dr.P.H. scientists, in fields relevant to the mission of NIA, including aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. The goal of this program is to prepare trainees for a wide range of career paths, including those that are outside the normal research environment.

Concern Foundation, Conquer Cancer Now Award

• A LOI pre-eligibility questionnaire is due Sept. 6, 2021, with actual LOI submission deadline of Sept. 8, 2021.
• Must be invited to submit full proposal by Feb. 1, 2022.

The foundation focuses its funding in the areas of immunology, immunotherapy, genetics, and cell biology.  To advance its mission, the foundation welcomes Letters of Intent for its Conquer Cancer Now Award program, which awards grants of $60,000 a year for up to two years to young cancer researchers in support of hypothesis-driven research centered on cancer genetics, cancer biology, or cancer immunology. The foundation does not fund clinical trials, cancer epidemiology, or behavioral studies.

NIH RFA-AG-22-014, NIA Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI): Entrepreneurial Small Business Transition Award (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Optional)

• LOI due Sept. 26th.  Full proposal due Oct. 26th.
• $1.5 million available to fund approx. 4 awards.
• Award budgets for Phase 1 projects cannot exceed $259,613 over 2 years, and $1,730,751 over 3 years for Fast-Track projects

The goal of this Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI) Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Grant is to foster the career development of early career scientists with an interest in entrepreneurship by simultaneously supporting their entrepreneurial development and facilitating their transition to industry.

DARPA HR001121S0038, Reimagining Protein Manufacturing (RPM)

• Abstract to express interest due Sept. 23rd. Full proposal due Oct. 26th.

The Reimagining Protein Manufacturing (RPM) program aims to ensure timely DoD access to critical medical countermeasures (MCMs) by establishing the foundational technologies needed for fully distributed, on-demand manufacturing of protein-based MCMs and associated raw materials. To achieve this goal, RPM will develop technologies to enable immediate synthesis (lead time approximately 24 hours) of bioactive protein MCMs and raw material production enzymes at a yield corresponding to > 500 doses per week. This technology will allow the DoD to rapidly secure access to both therapeutic proteins and enzymes needed for nucleic acid-based MCM synthesis, and reduce reliance on complex supply chains.

Water Research Foundation, Development of Innovative Predictive Control Strategies for Nutrient Removal

• Award budgets can be requested up to $200,000.

According to the foundation, the implementation of online monitoring and automated control strategies is an integral part of achieving process efficiency and the intensification at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). Many control strategies currently in place at WRRFs are based on reactive approaches that require large design safety factors to ensure reliability in the absence of more advanced, precise controls. Implementation of modern data-driven, predictive control tools has shown promise to improve reliability of operations, with better overall process performance, and with an immediate return on investment (ROI).

NIH RFA-AG-22-019, High Resolution Mapping of Biomolecules in Brain Cells in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• LOI due Sept. 28th.  Full proposal due Oct. 28th.
• $4.8 million available to fund approx. 6-8 awards.
• Awards budgets limited to no more than $500,000 in direct costs per year for 5-year projects.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will use the R01 funding mechanism to support discrete, specified, and circumscribed projects on novel molecular imaging approaches to establish high-resolution mapping of biomolecules in brain cells and regions during the course of aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

NIH RFA-AG-22-004, NIA Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI): Mentored Entrepreneurial Career Development Award (K01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• Award budgets include salary and other program-related expenses.
• Project period should be no longer than 5 years.

The purpose of this award is to provide support and protected time (three to five years) for an intensive, supervised career development experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence. This specific K01 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) includes entrepreneurial training and career development opportunities for early-career academic scientists as part of its translational research and supervised career development activities.

NIH RFA-AG-22-022, Transformative Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Based Strategies to Identify Determinants of Exceptional Health and Life Span (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• LOIs due Sept. 28th; Full proposals due Oct.

NIH PAR-22-023, Multi-Disciplinary Collaborations to UndNIH PAR-22-023, Multi-Disciplinary Collaborations to Understand Mechanisms of Systemic Immune Signaling and Inflammation in ADRD and its Progression (R01 Clinical Trial Not linical Trial Not Allowed)

• LOIs due Sept 22nd; full proposals due Oct. 22nd.
• $3.75 million available to fund up to 5 awards.
• Award budgets limited to $499,000 in direct costs per year for 5 year projects.

Recent findings have raised the hypothesis that systemic immune responses could play direct or indirect roles in brain neurodegeneration leading to AD/ADRD and have been significantly less studied than immune responses confined exclusively to within the brain parenchyma.

NSF 20-598, International Research Experiences for Students (IRES)

• Trk I proposals due Sept 21st;  Trk II proposals due Sept 28th.
• $10 million available to fund approx. 30-32 awards

The International Research Experiences for Students program supports international research and research-related activities for U.S. science and engineering students. The IRES program contributes to development of a diverse, globally engaged workforce with world-class skills. IRES focuses on active research participation by undergraduate and/or graduate students in high quality international research, education and professional development experiences in NSF-funded research areas.  The overarching, long-term goal of the IRES program is to enhance U.S.

NIH RFA-DC-22-001, NIDCD Research Grants for Translating Basic Research into Clinical Tools (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

• LOI due Sept. 20th; Full proposal due Oct 20th.
• Awards expected to be no more than $500,000 in direct costs per year, unless granted permission by program coordinator at least 6 weeks in advance.
• Project period should be no longer than 5 years.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is intended to provide an avenue for basic scientists, clinicians and clinical scientists to jointly initiate and conduct translational research projects which translate basic research findings into clinical tools for better human health.

Sony, Faculty Innovation Awards

• Award budgets up to $100,000.

The Sony Research Award Program aims to foster innovative ideas that could lead to future technology advancements and company growth. To accelerate and expand the creation of new ideas, the company will partner with universities and work to cultivate advanced concepts and fertilize its own research and development. To that end, Sony is inviting applications for its Faculty Innovation Award program, which will award grants of up to $100,000 in support of pioneering research in the following categories:

NSF 19-611, Science of Science - Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (SOS DDRIG)

• Agency plans to award 5 DDRIG awards.
• Award size up to $100,000.

The Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants funding opportunity is designed to improve the quality of dissertation research. DDRIG awards provide funds for items not normally available through the student's university such as enabling doctoral students to undertake significant data-gathering projects and to conduct field research in settings away from their campus. DDRIGs do not provide cost-of-living or other stipends or tuition. Outstanding DDRIG proposals specify how the knowledge to be created advances science of science.

Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Career Awards at the Scientific Interface

• Awards expected to be no more than $500,000 over 5 years.

According to the fund, scientific advances such as genomics, quantitative structural biology, imaging techniques, and modeling of complex systems have created opportunities for research careers at the interface between the physical/computational sciences and the biological sciences. Tackling key problems in biology will require scientists trained in areas such as chemistry, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, and engineering.

Sony, Focused Research Awards

• Award budgets up to $150,000.

Solid research is the underlying driving force to crystallize fearless creativity and innovation. While we are committed to run in-house research and engineering, we are also excited to collaborate with academic partners to facilitate exploration of new and promising research. The Sony Focused Research Award provides an opportunity for university faculty and Sony to conduct this type of collaborative, focused research. The award provides up to $150K USD* in funds, and may be renewed for subsequent year(s).

USDA RBCS-AIC-2021, Agriculture Innovation Center Grant Program

• $7.4 million available to fund approx. 10 awards.
• Awards expected to be between $400,000 and $1 million
• Matching funds required at 1/3 of the total budget.

The Agriculture Innovation Center Program makes grants to Agriculture Innovation Centers that may be used by the Centers to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers to help them develop and market value-added agricultural products using a variety of options, except joint marketing efforts.

NIH PAR-21-227, Resource Center for the Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Program (U24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• Awards expected to be no more than $750,000 in direct costs per year for 5-year projects.

This funding opportunity announcement encourages applications for a Resource Center as part of the Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) program to develop and sustain research excellence at U.S. higher education institutions that receive limited NIH research support and serve students from groups underrepresented in biomedical research (see NOT-OD-20-031). The Resource Center will: (1) assist SuRE-eligible institutions to build research capacity, (2) conduct outreach and training to their professional staff and faculty, and (3) collect and report data relevant to the goals of the R16 SuRE programs.

NIH PAR-21-269, Research on Interventions that Promote the Careers of Individuals in the Biomedical Research Enterprise (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

• LOIs due Sept. 13th.  Full proposals due Oct. 13th.
• Awards limited to $250,000 in direct costs per year for 5-year projects.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages applications that propose research designed to test interventions to enhance research-oriented individuals' interest, motivation, persistence and preparedness for careers in the biomedical research workforce. Funded projects are expected to produce research findings that will guide the implementation of interventions in a variety of academic settings and career levels to enhance the diversity of the biomedical research workforce.

NSF 20-570, Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers Program (IUCRC)

• Pre-proposals due Sept. 8th.  Full proposals due Dec. 8th.
• $20.5 million available to fund approx. 10 awards.
• Award size is dependent on the project type and scope of the research.

The IUCRC program catalyzes breakthrough pre-competitive research by enabling close and sustained engagement between industry innovators, world-class academic teams, and government agencies. IUCRCs help industry partners and government agencies connect directly and efficiently with university researchers to achieve three primary objectives: 1) Conduct high-impact research to meet shared and critical industrial needs in companies of all sizes; 2) Enhance U.S.

NSF 21-536, National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) Program

• $55 million available to fund approx. 18-20 awards.
• Awards will be made to 2 different project tracks:
  • NRT Track 1 – Budgets up to $3 million for 5-year projects. (14-16 awards per year)
  • NRT Track 2 – Budgets up to $2 million for 5-year projects. (4-6 awards per year)

The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program seeks proposals that explore ways for graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers.

NSF 21-583, Geoinformatics (GI)

• $5.3 million available to fund approx. 5 – 10 awards.

The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) will consider proposals for the development of cyberinfrastructure (CI) for the Earth Sciences (Geoinformatics). EAR-supported geoinformatics opportunities will fit into three tracks: Catalytic Track, Facility Track, and Sustainability Track. These tracks broadly support the lifecycle of geoinformatics resource development, from pilots (Catalytic) to broad implementation (Facility) to sunsetting and long-term sustainability (Sustainability).

USDA-RBCS-RDCG-2021, Rural Cooperative Development Grant

• $5.8 million available to fund approx. 29 awards
• Awards expected to be up to $200,000.
• A 25% match is required.

The Rural Cooperative Development Grant program improves the economic condition of rural areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through Cooperative Development Centers. Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the Federal Register and through an announcement posted on grants.gov.

DOD DARPA HR001121S0035, Environmental Microbes as a BioEngineering Resource (EMBER)

• Pre-proposals due Aug. 16th.  Full proposals due Sept. 27th.

The EMBER program aims to develop novel, bio-based technologies to overcome key challenges facing domestic supply of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) critical to the U.S. DoD. The program will leverage the diversity, specificity, and customizability of environmental microbiology to enable new biomining methods for the separation, purification, and conversion of REEs into manufacturing-ready forms. Microbes (and/or biomolecules), including those from extreme or metal-rich environments, can be biologically engineered or adapted to bind, assimilate, and manipulate individual REEs.

EPA-GM-2021-MIST, Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking

• $9 million available to fund approx. 5 awards.
• Projects expected to be no more than $1.5 million.

This Request for Applications (RFA) solicits applications from eligible entities for grants and/or cooperative agreements to be awarded. These awards will improve water quality, habitat, community resilience, and environmental education in the Gulf of Mexico watershed within the Continental United States (see individual funding opportunities for geographic specifications). For a list of projects funded by the Gulf of Mexico Division (GMD) under previous RFAs, please see the EPA Gulf of Mexico story map.

Pardee Foundation, Proposals for Cancer Research

• No fixed budget limit, past grants range from ~$80,000-$187,000
• IDC limited to 5% direct costs

The foundation encourages proposals for one year to enable new cancer researchers to develop their capabilities or veteran cancer researchers to establish new approaches to cancer research. The foundation anticipates that this early-stage funding may lead to subsequent and expanded support from a government agency or other source. The relevance of the project to cancer detection, treatment, or cure should be clearly identified.

NSF PD 20-7909 Biosensing

• No deadline - can be submitted anytime.
• Single investigator proposals – support for one GRA and up to one month of PI time per year – larger budgets for multiple investigator projects

The Biosensing program supports fundamental engineering research on devices and methods for measurement and quantification of biological analytes. Examples of biosensors include, but are not limited to, electrochemical/electrical biosensors, optical biosensors, plasmonic biosensors, and paper-based and nanopore-based biosensors. In addition to advancing biosensor technology development, proposals that address critical needs in biomedical research, public health, food safety, agriculture, forensic, environmental protection, and homeland security are highly encouraged.

Bayer Crop Science, Grants4Ag Program

• Awards typically range from $5,000 to $15,000.

To protect our crops and feed a growing population, farmers need access to novel tools and technologies that enable sustainable cultivation of row crops, fruits, and vegetables. We know we can’t do that alone, so we are looking to support innovators by partnering to drive new ideas towards commercialization.  We are seeking novel approaches and technologies that sustainably protect crops while preserving natural habitats.  Solutions of interest include:

NSF PD 20-13Y Cyberinfrastructure Centers of Excellence (CI CoE)

• No deadline - can be submitted anytime.
• Individuals interested in submitting a proposal for a CI CoE project must first discuss their project idea with the cognizant CI CoE Program Director(s) in the relevant areas prior to submission and indicate the occurrence of such a discussion as a Supplementary Document in the eventual proposal. Proposals submitted without such documented prior discussion will be returned without review.

The NSF Cyberinfrastructure Centers of Excellence (CI CoE) Program aims to realize the above vision by supporting hubs of expertise and innovation targeting specific areas, aspects, or stakeholder communities of the research CI ecosystem.

NSF 21-594, GERMINATION: Germination of Research Questions for Addressing Critical Societal Challenges

• LOIs due Aug. 27th. Full proposals due Oct. 29th.
• $3 million available to fund approx. 8-10 awards.
• The program will award projects of two different types:
  • Germination Innovation proposals expected to be between $100,000 - $300,000 for 1-2 year projects.
  • Germination Expansion proposals expected to be up to $500,000 for 3-year projects.

The GERMINATION program invites proposals to design, test, evaluate and implement pedagogical frameworks, platforms and/or environments that enable participants to formulate research questions and ideas that have the potential to address critical societal challenges.

USDA RD-RBS-21-01-RISE, Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant Program

• $10 million available to fund approx. 7 awards
• Awards expected to be between $500,000 - $2 million for 4-year projects.

The primary objective of the RISE program is to support jobs accelerator partnerships to improve the ability of distressed rural and energy communities to create high wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, and help rural communities identify and maximize local assets. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. The minimum award per grant is $500,000 and the maximum award amount per grant is $2,000,000. Grant funds may be used to pay for up to 80 percent of eligible project costs.

USDA-AMS-TM-MPIRG-G-21-0001, Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG)

• $55.2 million available to fund approx. 276 awards
• Awards expected to be no more than $200,000.
• Match requirement waived for FY21.

The MPIRG supports a range of eligible meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities, including facilities operating under State inspection or those exempt from Federal inspection, in making facility improvements and carrying out other planning activities necessary to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection or to operate as a State-inspected facility that is compliant with the cooperative interstate shipment program under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or Poultry Products Inspection Act. Such entities may include, but are not limited to, commercial businesses, cooperatives, tribal enterprises, etc.

Wild Animal Initiative, Juvenile Wild Animal Research

• Expressions of interest are due Aug. 29^th.  Must be invited to submit full proposals Dec. 5^th.
• Awards expected to be between $25,000 and $250,000.
• The organization especially encourages PhD and postdoctoral students to apply.

The initiative invites proposals for research on the welfare, ecology, and everyday experiences of juvenile wild animals. Relevant projects might include studies that extend captive animal welfare assessment techniques to juvenile wild animal, or demonstrate how ecological concepts can relate to wild animal health and well-being.

NSF 20-505 Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research (Transitions)

• No deadline - can be submitted anytime.
• For Associate or Full Professors to expand or make a transition in their research programs via a sabbatical leave or similar mechanism of professional development and then develop that research program in their own lab.
• Funds up to six months of PI salary during the first sabbatical or professional development year, followed by support for continued research for two subsequent years upon the PI's return to normal academic duties

The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) has developed a new opportunity to enable researchers with a strong track record of prior accomplishment to pursue a new avenue of research or inquiry.

NSF 20-576, Plant Biotic Interactions

• $18.5 million available to fund approx. 25 -30 awards.
• Awards expected to be between $50,000 - $300,000 for 2-4 year projects.
• Can be submitted anytime.

The Plant Biotic Interactions (PBI) program supports research on the processes that mediate beneficial and antagonistic interactions between plants and their viral, bacterial, oomycete, fungal, plant, and invertebrate symbionts, pathogens and pests. This joint NSF/NIFA program supports projects focused on current and emerging model and non-model systems, and agriculturally relevant plants. The program’s scope extends from fundamental mechanisms to translational efforts, with the latter seeking to put into agricultural practice insights gained from basic research on the mechanisms that govern plant biotic interactions.

NSF 20-532 NSF Enabling Discovery through GEnomic Tools (EDGE)

• Can be submitted anytime.
• Up to $2 million total for up to four years
• Total program funding ~$10 million; 10-15 awards expected per year

The Enabling Discovery through GEnomic Tools (EDGE) program supports genomic research that addresses the mechanistic basis of complex traits in diverse organisms within the context (environmental, developmental, social, and/or genomic) in which they function. The EDGE program also continues to support the development of innovative tools, technologies, resources, and infrastructure that advance biological research focused on the identification of the causal mechanisms connecting genes and phenotypes. EDGE is designed to provide support for