July 2017

The FAS Research Development group publishes this monthly Funding Newsletter for SEAS faculty and researchers. The newsletter includes notable Federal, private, and internal Harvard funding opportunities. To provide feedback, please complete our two-question survey .  

Questions? 
Erin Hale:  [email protected] |  617-496-5252 
Jennifer Corby:  [email protected] |  617-495-1590  


For more information on our support services, please visit our  website .

Did you know?
 Harvard affiliates have access to Pivot, a funding opportunity database . 

You are receiving  this  newsletter because you are subscribed to our mailing list. All Harvard University faculty and administrators may subscribe  here , and you may unsubscribe at any time. Visit our  email archive  to see our past newsletters.

News, Announcements, & Special Features

Feature: New Investigator Opportunity Spotlight
Quick links to early career opportunities in this month's newsletter.

Internal Funding Opportunity: Harvard Climate Change Solutions Fund
Applications should propose research that will advance solutions to climate change and its impact. Solutions may include both preparedness and mitigation and strong consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate a clear pathway to application, as well as riskier proposals with the potential to be transformative over time. Learn more about this opportunity here.

Internal Funding Opportunity: Harvard Solar Geoengineering Research Program
Harvard's Solar Geoengineering Research Program (SGRP) aims to focus on advancing solar geoengineering science and technology; assessing efficiency and risks; and laying out governance options and social implications. Current available funding mechanisms are a residency program and Harvard faculty research grants. Learn more about these opportunities here. 

Funding Opportunities

Click on the links below to read a program synopsis

Internal Opportunities

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Foundation Opportunities

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Science Foundation: Dear Colleague Letters  
National Science Foundation: Directorate for Computer & Information Science and Engineering (NSF: CISE)
National Science Foundation: Directorate for Engineering (NSF: ENG)

Internal Opportunities

HarvardOTDVir
Vir Biotechnology & Harvard University: Request for Proposals
Deadline: August 21, 2017
Award Amount: up to $1,000,000 per year (including all indirect costs) 

Harvard's Office of Technology Development (OTD) is pleased to announce the establishment of a strategic research alliance between Harvard University and Vir Biotechnology. The alliance will support collaborative, PI-initiated projects aimed at the development of therapeutics to prevent or treat infectious diseases. This Request for Proposals (RFP) is seeking pre-proposals for exciting and innovative sponsored research projects in the following areas:

1.  Antimicrobial Resistance: Novel strategies for addressing antibiotic resistance that            could lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches against drug resistant              pathogens.
2.   Host-Pathogen Interactions: New insights into host-pathogen relationships that could        lead to the development of vaccines, therapeutics, or diagnostics.
3.   Drug Delivery: Robust and rigorous delivery technology that would allow experimental        methods, such as CRISPR/Cas9, mRNA, or siRNA, to be used effectively in patients,            such as applying viral vectors for vaccine delivery.
4.   High Public Health Burden Infectious Diseases: Small molecule or antibody leads for      the treatment or prevention of HIV, chronic HBV, and respiratory pathogens, including            tuberculosis. 

Climate_Change
Deadline: October 16, 2017
Award Amount:  Up to $150,000 over one or two years
Target applicants: Full-time assistant, associate, or full professors from any Harvard School may apply for an award.  Students and postdoctoral scholars with an identified faculty mentor who will supervise their research are also eligible to apply.
 
The Harvard University Climate Change Solutions Fund supports research and policy initiatives intended to reduce the risks of climate change, hasten the transition from fossil fuel-based energy systems to those that rely on renewable energy sources, to develop methods for diminishing the impact of existing fossil fuel-based energy systems on the climate, to understand and prepare for the impacts of climate change, and to propel scientific, technological, legal, behavioral, policy and artistic innovations needed to accelerate progress toward cleaner energy, improved human health, and a greener world. Applications should propose research that will advance solutions to climate change and its impact. Solutions may include both preparedness and mitigation and strong consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate a clear pathway to application, as well as riskier proposals with the potential to be transformative over time.


InternalSolar
Residency Program and Harvard Faculty Research Grants 
Deadline: Rolling
Award Amount: Varies by award type

Harvard's Solar Geoengineering Research Program (SGRP) aims to focus on advancing solar geoengineering science and technology; assessing efficiency and risks; and laying out governance options and social implications. The following funding mechanisms are currently available:  

Residency Program:  This program will accept a small number of researchers focused on solar geoengineering to spend between 1 and 3 weeks at Harvard University, working directly with researchers at SGRP and other members of the Harvard community.  The main purpose of this program is to enable visitors to work in collaboration with Harvard researchers and each other on discrete research projects. SGRP will cover the cost of travel and accommodations as well as per diem for meals.

Harvard Faculty Research Grants:  SGRP will provide direct research support for activities that cannot be effectively supported with individual students or fellows. That could involve multi-investigator collaborations, field or laboratory work in the sciences, or field or survey work in the social sciences.


U.S. Department of Defense


DoDDARPATopological
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Topological Excitations in Electronics
OSP Deadline: August 9, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 16, 2017
Award Amount: The level of funding for individual awards made under this solicitation has not been predetermined and will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the availability of funds.   
 
The Defense Sciences Office at DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals exploring approaches to exploit topological excitations in electronics. The program aims to explore topological excitations that have recently been engineered in solid-state systems that have the potential to overcome fundamental limits faced by present electronic memory, digital logic, sensors, and quantum bits (qubits) as well as other potential applications. The Topological Excitations in Electronics program aims to advance the state of the field by demonstrating that the performance of such excitations in suitably designed prototype/proof-of-concept devices can be scaled up to make a significant impact in future technology. A particular focus of the program is the development of topological excitations that are nanometer-sized (<10 nm) and capable of being efficiently manipulated at room temperature. It is expected that close collaboration between theoretical modelers, materials scientists, and metrology experts will be needed to design, fabricate, and characterize the properties of the topological excitations proposed and eventually optimize their properties.

This program is composed of two separate but related Technical Areas (TAs): Classical topological excitations (TA1) and quantum topological excitations (TA2).
 
Topological Excitations in Electronics is a 42-month program. DARPA anticipates multiple awards.


vbff
Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship (formerly National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship)
Registration Deadline: August 14, 2017
White Paper Deadline: August 16, 2017
Award Amount: Up to $3M over five years
Eligible Applicants: Faculty with tenure and full-time research staff with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to conduct the proposed research.  The PI must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
 
The Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship supports innovative basic research within academia, as well as opportunities intended to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers for the defense workforce.  This FOA seeks distinguished researchers for the purpose of conducting innovative basic research in areas of interest to the Department of Defense (DoD) and fostering long-term relationships between the VBFF Fellows and the DoD.  As defined by the DoD, basic research is "systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind.  It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs.  It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress."  The VBFF is oriented towards bold and ambitious "blue sky" research that may lead to extraordinary outcomes such as revolutionizing entire disciplines, creating entirely new fields, or disrupting accepted theories and perspectives.

This FOA is for single investigator grant proposals for basic research in one or more of the following technical subject categories of interest to the DoD: 
  • Engineering Biology
  • Quantum Information Science
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Novel Engineered Materials
  • Applied Mathematics (theory and experiments) and Statistics
  • Manufacturing Science
  • Other fields of research with high potential

ONRBRCFY18
Office of Naval Research
FY2018 Basic Research Challenge (BRC) Program
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to submission
White Paper Deadline (required): August 18, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for invited Full Proposals: November 17, 2017
Award Amount: Varies by Topic Area
 
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in receiving proposals for basic research relating to the following topic areas:  
  • Topic 1 Randomized Numerical Linear Algebra for Large-Scale, Efficient Matrix Computations;
  • Topic 2 Levitated Optomechanics;
  • Topic 3 Exploring Compositional Space to Predict and Evolve Multi-Principal Element Alloys; and
  • Topic 4 Guaranteed Performance of Multibody Control Systems.
ONR intends to award approximately $23.4 million under this BAA competition over the life of this Basic Research Challenge.


AFOSRCOEHumanMachine
Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
Center of Excellence: Trusted Human-Machine Teaming
OSP Deadline: August 11, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Full Proposals: August 18, 2017
Award Amount:  Up to $1M per year for up to 5 years
 
The purpose of this University Center of Excellence (UCoE) is to establish the foundational principles of design and critical technologies needed to support trusted, mutually-adaptive, human-machine teams. The U.S. Air Force's (USAF) vision for autonomy is one in which Airmen and intelligent machines work cooperatively as teammates, with shared knowledge, decision making and coordinated action towards common goals. This vision goes beyond the notion of discrete levels-of-automation or algorithms that simply automate task functions. To achieve the USAF vision, airman and machine must acquire knowledge of the task environment, and importantly, a mutual understanding of each other, to include internal cognitive states, capabilities, goals and intentions. Foundational science and technology is needed to create a bidirectional flow of information to facilitate this shared understanding and enable humans and machines to respond appropriately to each other, adapt, and balance workload as conditions change throughout a mission.
 
Proposals are sought for basic and applied research towards the measurement, estimation, and prediction of human cognitive states and intent, as well as machine learning, reasoning and execution of complex adaptive behavior in support of robust team processes and performance. Desirable proposals will emphasize measurement of neurophysiological signals from human teammates and the integration and interaction of multiple measures (e.g., behavioral, neurological, physiological). In additional, desirable  proposals will seek to understand and develop complex, adaptive machine behaviors that go beyond simple automation of function to more interdependent social and team processes, analogous to high-performing human teams. The proposed research should focus on collaboration between people and autonomous systems working together on complex, ecologically valid tasks under conditions of high  uncertainty and risk.
 
Only one award is anticipated.


DoDDARPALagrange
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Lagrange
OSP Deadline: August 23, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 30, 2017
Award Amount: The level of funding for individual awards made under this BAA will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the availability of funds. Lagrange will be an 18-month program.
 
The Defense Sciences Office at DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals to develop novel mathematical methods, on both the theoretical and algorithmic fronts, which will solve high-dimensional, dynamic, data-driven optimization and decision-making problems. Proposed research should fully address challenges that arise from the nonlinear, nonconvex, hybrid (continuous, discrete) nature of underlying modeling and optimization of realistic complex application problems.
 
The expected outcomes of the program include: 1) new mathematical frameworks and solution methods for large-scale optimization of complex systems, and 2) algorithms that could be implemented on computing platforms that would utilize parallelizability and scalability. It is envisioned that the program will be comprised of multi-disciplinary teams focusing on a feasible application problem following an aggressive work schedule and with rigorous metrics to determine success.
 
DARPA anticipates multiple awards for this program.


DoDAROHiPS
U.S. Army Research Office (ARO)
BAA for High Performance Superconducting Qubit Systems (HiPS)
OSP Deadline: September 11, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: September 18, 2017
Award Amount: Two types of proposals are being requested (see below). Awards made under Option 1 will be up to $4M per year for up to 4 years. Awards under Option 2 will be up to $500k per year for up to 3 years.
 
The U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) in collaboration with the National Security Agency (NSA) is soliciting proposals for research in High Performance Superconducting Qubit Systems. This BAA has two primary goals; (a) substantially improve the fidelity of one and two-qubit operations over current state-of-the-art performance, and (b) design and test qubits with built-in error protection. While proposals that advance both primary goals in an integrated approach are encouraged, proposers may focus on either goal individually, given the state-of-the-art of their approach.
 
There are two types of proposals with different research scopes covered in this announcement:

1. High performance superconducting qubit systems
a. High Fidelity 2-qubit gates
b. Error protected qubits
2. Key supporting technology to high-performance superconducting qubits   

DoDICorps
U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (Research Directorate/Basic Research Office)
Proof of Concept Commercialization Pilot Program Innovation Corps @ Department of Defense (I Corps @ DoD)
OSP Deadline: September 8, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: September 15, 2017
Award Amount: $40,000-$70,000 for one year plus extensive training in product commercialization from industry experts and 'serial entrepreneurs'
 
The Innovation Corps at the Department of Defense (I Corps @ DoD) program is an opportunity for Principal Investigators (PIs) to learn how to commercialize their discoveries/innovations. A DoD Basic Research award using 6.1 funds (in a scientific or engineering field relevant to the proposed innovation) that is currently active or that has been active within five years from the date of the I Corps @ DoD proposal submission is required.
 
The goals of this program are to spur the transition of fundamental research, to encourage collaboration between academia and industry, and to train students to understand innovation and entrepreneurship. There will be three outcomes of the I Corps @ DoD program: 1) a clear go/no go decision regarding viability of products and services, 2) should the decision be to move the effort forward, a transition plan to do so, and 3) an understanding of what kind of minimum viable product demonstration would be required by key partners and customer segments.

DoD intends to award roughly $500,000 under this PA, subject to the availability of funds. Up to 10 awards are anticipated.


ONRNOPPFY18
Office of Naval Research (ONR)
National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) 2018 Broad Agency Announcement
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to submission
Sponsor Deadline for Letter of Intent for In-situ Ocean Sensor
Research & Technology Development Topic Area (required): October 16, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Full Proposals for CubeSat Sensors for Investigating Littoral Ocean & Atmosphere Dynamics and Improved & Routine Production, Stewardship  and Application of the Group for High Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (GHRSST) Data Topic Areas: October 16, 2017
Award Amount: $150,000/year for 2 years for CubeSat Sensors Topic Area; $300,000-$700,000/year for 3-5 years for GHRSST Data Topic Area; and Up to $500,000/year for 3 years for In-situ Ocean Sensor Topic Area
 
On behalf of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), the Office of Naval Research (ONR) solicits research proposals under this Broad Agency Announcement to promote the national goals of assuring national security, advancing economic development, protecting quality of life, and strengthening science education and communication by improving knowledge of the ocean. There are over twenty agencies participating in the NOPP. They are identified on the NOPP website: www.nopp.org . In this BAA, NOPP participants have identified three ocean research and technology topics of  mutual and emerging interest. Selected projects will be awarded and funded by individual agencies  after the NOPP office, ONR and panels of experts conduct an evaluation of the full proposals from  each topic.
 
The three Topic Areas are:
  •  CubeSat Sensors for Investigating Littoral Ocean & Atmosphere Dynamics;
  • Improved & Routine Production, Stewardship and Application of the Group for High Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (GHRSST) Data; and
  • In-situ Ocean Sensor Research & Technology Development.
Team efforts are required. The teams must be comprised of at least two of the following three sectors: academia; industry; and government.
 
Up to $18.5 million over five years may be available for this solicitation.


DODMURI
Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Army Research Office (ARO) and Office of Naval Research (ONR)
Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)
OSP Deadline: October 25, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: November 1, 2017
Award Amount: Typical annual funding per grant is in the $1.25M to $1.5M range for up to 5 years of support.
 
The Department of Defense (DoD) Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI), one element of the University Research Initiative (URI), is sponsored by the DoD research offices. Those offices include the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). The MURI program supports basic research in science and engineering at U.S. institutions of higher education that is of potential interest to DoD. The program is focused on multidisciplinary research efforts where more than one traditional discipline interacts to provide rapid advances in fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. DOD's MURI program addresses high risk basic research and attempts to understand or achieve something that has never been done before. Detailed descriptions of topics of interest to AFOSR, ARO and ONR are listed in the program solicitation.
 
The total amount of funding for five years available for grants resulting from this MURI FOA is estimated to be approximately $170 million dollars pending out-year appropriations.


DoDExtraDev
Department of the Army - USAMRAA
US Special Operations Command Broad Agency Announcement for Extramural Biomedical Research and Development
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to submission
Sponsor Deadline for Pre-Proposals (required): Pre-proposals will be reviewed in three submission cycles. The three deadlines are: July 28, 2017; November 3, 2017; and April 14, 2018.
Award Amount: A budget should be commensurate with the nature and complexity of the proposed research.    
 
Special Operations Forces (SOF) medical personnel place a premium on medical equipment that is small, lightweight, ruggedized, modular, multi-use, and designed for operation in extreme environments. The equipment should be easy to use, require minimum maintenance, and have low power consumption. Drugs and biologics should not require refrigeration or other special handling. All materiel and related techniques should be simple and effective. Research projects may apply existing scientific and technical knowledge for which concept and/or patient care efficacy have already been demonstrated to meet SOF requirements. The following are SOF's Research Areas of Interest (RAIs):

1.     Medical Simulation and Training Technologies;

2.     Damage Control Resuscitation;

3.     Prolonged Field Care (PFC);

4.     Portable Lab Assays and Diagnostics;

5.     Force Health Protection and Environmental Medicine;

6.     Canine Medicine; and

7.     Human Operational Performance.

 
Research and development funded through this BAA are intended and expected to benefit and inform both military and civilian medical practice and knowledge. It is estimated that approximately $3million is available for this BAA.


DoDDARPACHASE
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Cyber-Hunting at Scale (CHASE)
OSP Deadline: August 15, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Full Proposals: August 22, 2017
Award Amount: The level of funding for individual awards made under this solicitation has not been predetermined and will depend on the quality of the proposals received  and the availability of funds. CHASE is a 4-year effort.    
 
DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of data-driven cyber-hunting tools for real-time cyber threat detection, characterization, and protection within enterprise-scale networks. The Cyber-Hunting at Scale (CHASE) program will develop, demonstrate, and evaluate these tools for use within enterprise networks, across enterprise networks, and at internet exchange points. The CHASE program will address the challenges of protecting dozens of enterprise networks in a coordinated manner. Proposed research should focus on dynamic approaches to accelerate cyber hunting via extraction of the right data from the right device at the right time. If successful, CHASE will transition technologies to defensive cyber protection teams, enabling warfighters to dynamically collect data from mission critical parts of a network, actively hunt for threats that evade routine security measures, and disseminate protective measures that semiautomatically bolster the collective cyber defense posture.
 
DARPA seeks innovative proposals in the following Technical Areas (TAs):
  • TA1 - Threat Detection and Characterization
  • TA2 - Informed Data Planning
  • TA3 - Global Analysis
  • TA4 - Protective Measure Generation and Dissemination
  • TA5 - Infrastructure for Evaluation Exercises
Multiple awards anticipated for Technical Areas 1-4, one award for Technical Area 5.


DODONRNavyMarineSci
Office of Naval Research (ONR)
FY17 Funding Opportunity Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Education, Outreach and Workforce Program
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to submission
Sponsor Deadline for White Papers (required): August 31, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for invited Full Proposals: September 25, 2017
Award Amount: Up to $250,000 per year for 1-3 years
 
The ONR seeks a broad range of proposals for augmenting existing or developing innovative solutions that directly maintain, or cultivate a diverse, world-class STEM workforce in order to maintain the U.S.  Navy and Marine Corps' technological superiority. The goal of any proposed effort must provide solutions that will establish and maintain pathways of diverse U.S. citizens who are interested in uniformed or civilian DoN (or Navy and Marine Corps) STEM workforce opportunities. As the capacity of the DoN Science and Technology (S&T) workforce is interconnected with the basic research enterprise and STEM education system, ONR recognizes the necessity to support efforts that can jointly improve STEM student outcomes and align with Naval S&T current and future workforce needs. This announcement explicitly encourages projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students including active learning approaches and incorporating 21st century skills. Projects must aim to increase student engagement in STEM and persistence of students in STEM degrees, while improving student technical capacity. ONR encourages proposals to utilize current STEM educational research for informing project design and advancing our understanding of how and why students choose STEM careers and opportunities of naval relevance. While this announcement is relevant for any stage of the STEM educational system, funding efforts will be targeted primarily toward the future and current DoN (naval) STEM workforce in High School, all categories of Post-Secondary institutions, the STEM research enterprise, and efforts that enhance the current naval STEM workforce and its mission readiness.
 
White paper pre-proposals will be considered as they are submitted. Therefore, Offerors are encouraged to submit early in the cycle as there is no guarantee of available program funding. It is strongly encouraged that Offerors contact the ONR STEM program in advance of white papers submission for the latest information on the availability of funds. Multiple awards are anticipated.


DoDONRYIP
Office of Naval Research (ONR)
FY2018 Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Program (YIP)
OSP Deadline: September 8, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Full Proposals: September 15, 2017
Award Amount: Up to $170,000 per year for 3 years. As an incentive for becoming involved with other Department of the Navy research activities, the Office of the Director of Research of ONR may match on a 1-for-1 basis, the first $25,000 of additional Department of the Navy funding which a successful applicant obtains each year to support additional, collaborative research with a Navy laboratory during the YIP award Additional funds for capital equipment may be requested for the first budget period based on the needs of the research.    
 
ONR's Young Investigator Program (YIP) seeks to identify and support academic scientists and engineers who are in their first or second full-time tenure-track or tenure-track equivalent academic appointment, have begun their first appointment on or after 31 December 2012, and who show exceptional promise for doing creative research. The Principal Investigator of a proposal must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident (on the date proposals are due). The objectives of this program are to attract outstanding faculty members of Institutions of Higher Education to the Department of the Navy's Science and Technology (S&T) research program , to support their research, and to encourage their teaching and research careers.
 
Applicants are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to contact the appropriate Program Officer who is the  point of contact for a specific technical area to discuss their research ideas. A list of most Program  Officers and their contact information can be found at:https://www.onr.navy.mil/Science-Technology/Contacts . Brief informal pre-proposals may be submitted to facilitate these discussions but are not required.

 
DODONRSSBN
Office of Naval Research (ONR)
SSBN Security Technology
OSP Deadline: October 6, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Full Proposals: October 16, 2017
Award Amount: approximately $400,000 per year
 
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Undersea Influence, Counter-USW Branch (N974B) of the Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) Undersea Warfare Division (N97) are interested in receiving proposals focused on the identification of science and physics based signal detection technologies that, individually or as a system, can impact the security of the SSBN and submarines in general. Passive and active detection technologies with near term (0-5 years), mid-term (5-10 years) and far term (10-20 years) implications will be considered. As part of its effort to understand the impact of technology on submarine security and survivability, the SSBN Security Technology Program (SSTP) may entertain proposals focused on improving the understanding of the generation, radiation, propagation, scatter, and detection of a variety of signal types (acoustic, chemical, optical, electromagnetic, hydrodynamic and radiological) associated with a submarine's operation.
 
White Papers are required prior to submitting a Full Proposal. Full proposals will be subsequently encouraged from those Offerors whose proposed technologies have been identified as being of particular value to the Navy.


DODBAAs
Other DoD Opportunities:

I f you are interested in DoD funding opportunities, please note:
The  Defense Innovation Marketplace  is a centralized source for Department of Defense science and technology (S&T) planning, acquisition resources, funding, and financial information. 


U.S. Department of Energy


DoEAdvancedCombustion
U.S. Department of Energy
Advanced Combustion Systems: Existing Plant Improvements and Transformational Technologies
OSP Deadline: August 1, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 8, 2017
Award Amount: Up to $2,000,000
 
The objective of this FOA is to solicit and competitively award applied research projects to develop advanced combustion systems that will make substantial progress toward enabling cost-competitive, coal-based power generation systems to remain in operation and to expand coal use while meeting the goal of achieving near-zero pollutant emissions.   Projects resulting from this FOA will (in the near and long term) improve the overall economics of coal combustion systems ensuring that their performance and cost potential is substantially better than today's baseline pulverized coal power plant. 
 
Applications are sought for fundamental or bench scale R&D, dependent on the Area of Interest.  Proposals are solicited for two areas of interest (AOI):
  1. Advanced Combustion Coal Power Plant Improvement Technologies: AOI 1 includes two subtopics: 1A) Condition Based Monitoring of Coal-Based Power Generation Boilers and 1B) Near-Term Opportunities for Coal-Based Units.   
  2. Advanced Combustion Enabling Technologies and Advanced Concepts: AOI 2 includes three subtopics: 2A) Chemical Looping Combustion, 2B) Pressurized Oxy-combustion, and 2C) Advanced Concepts and Novel Approaches. 
R&D may be proposed for new concepts or for technology challenges that may already exist in pilot and/or commercial scale systems.


DoEModularGas
U.S. Department of Energy
 National Energy Technology Laboratory:  Small Scale Modularization of Gasification Technology Components for Radically Engineered Modular Systems
OSP Deadline: August 1, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 8, 2017
Award Amount: Up to $6,000,000. The Applicant will be required to cost share a minimum of 20% of the total project costs.
 
The mission of the DOE Clean Coal Program is focused on developing advancements in technology that increase the performance, efficiency and availability of existing and new coal-fueled power generation to provide the Nation with the best opportunity to tap into the full potential of its abundant fossil energy resources in an environmentally sound and secure manner. The Advanced Energy Systems (AES) program focuses on improving the efficiency of coal-based power systems, increasing plant availability, and maintaining the highest environmental standards. Applications are being solicited under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to develop emerging gasification technologies that may be advantageously reduced to practice at the modular small scale to support accomplishment of program goals via the Radically Engineered Modular Systems (REMS) concept.
DOE_Graduate
Golden Field Office: Advanced Manufacturing Graduate-Level Traineeships
Concept Paper Deadline: August 8, 2017
OSP Deadline: September 6, 2017
Full Proposal Deadline: September 13, 2017
Award Amount: $1,250,000-$2,500,000 over 3-5 years

Through this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), DOE intends to fund university-led Traineeship Programs that address workforce training needs in the early-stage technology area of advanced materials and process technologies of high importance to manufacturing. The following objectives guide the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Advanced Manufacturing Office's (AMO) traineeship efforts:
  • Advance the DOE mission - Traineeship programs are designed and implemented to advance specific Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workforce competencies required for the DOE's unique mission to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its science and energy challenges, particularly with regard to advanced manufacturing.
  • Address priority STEM workforce needs and identified gaps in early-stage advanced manufacturing technology - Traineeship programs focus on advancing those critical STEM disciplines and competencies specifically relevant to the AMO missions where other U.S. Government or academic workforce development programs either do not exist or where DOE-relevant early-stage technology areas are not being leveraged to support specific DOE mission responsibilities.
DOE_HEP
FY 2018 Research Opportunities in High Energy Physics
Letter of Intent Deadline (highly encouraged): August 10, 2017
OSP Deadline: September 5, 2017
Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline: September 12, 2017
Award Amount: $50,000-$5,000,000/year. The anticipated period of performance is expected to average three years with some awards exceeding the average and other awards less than the average.

The mission of the HEP program is to understand how the universe works at its most fundamental level, which is done by discovering the elementary constituents of matter and energy, probing the interactions between them, and exploring the basic nature of space and time. 

The HEP program focuses on three experimental scientific frontiers:
  • The Energy Frontier, where powerful accelerators are used to create new particles, reveal their interactions, and investigate fundamental forces;
  • The Intensity Frontier, where intense particle beams and highly sensitive detectors are used to pursue alternate pathways to investigate fundamental forces and particle interactions by studying events that occur rarely in nature, and to provide precision measurements of these phenomena; and
  • The Cosmic Frontier, where non-accelerator-based experiments observe the cosmos and detect cosmic particles, making measurements of natural phenomena that can provide information about the nature of dark matter, dark energy, and other fundamental properties of the universe that impact our understanding of matter and energy.
     
Also integral to the mission of HEP are three cross-cutting research areas that enable new scientific opportunities by developing the necessary tools and methods for discoveries:
  • Theoretical High Energy Physics, where the vision and mathematical framework for understanding and extending the knowledge of particles, forces, space-time, and the universe are developed;
  • Accelerator Science and Technology Research and Development, where the technologies and basic science needed to design, build, and operate the accelerator facilities essential for making new discoveries are developed; and
  • Detector Research and Development, where the basic science and technologies needed to design and build the High Energy Physics detectors essential for making new discoveries are developed.
The three frontiers and the three cross-cutting research areas are collectively the six research subprograms supported by HEP. All applications should address specific research goals in one or more of the six research subprograms, explain how the proposed research or technology development supports the broad scientific objectives and mission of the HEP program, and aligns with its priorities. Applications where the investigator is proposing to conduct research across multiple HEP research subprograms during the project period will be considered. 

DOEOther
DOE Opportunities

Environmental Protection Agency

EPA_drinking_water
National Priorities: Transdisciplinary Research into Detecting and Controlling Lead in Drinking Water
OSP Deadline: August 8, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 15, 2017
Award Amount: Up to a total of $1,981,500 in federal funds, including direct and indirect costs, with a maximum duration of 3 years. Each applicant must contribute a minimum 25 percent match that may include in-kind contributions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications proposing to (1) identify communities that are at a high risk of experiencing the adverse health effects of lead in drinking water; (2) identify opportunities to mitigate these risks; and (3) conduct educational and outreach efforts so that water system managers and the general public are aware of these risks and opportunities. This RFA calls for transdisciplinary research across an entire continuum: from lead's occurrence in a community's water supply, treatment and distribution, through the effect of lead on public health.


EPAWildland
Wildland Fires Sensor Challenge
Harvard OSP Deadline: November 15, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: November 22, 2017
Prototype Submission Deadline: January
Award Amount: Up to $60,000
 
Six federal agencies have announced a Wildland Fire Sensors Challenge seeking an accurate, lower-cost, and low-maintenance air quality monitoring system that can be used during a wildfire or controlled fire. The data provided by the sensor system will help federal, state, local and tribal agencies protect the health of first responders and communities affected by the smoke. Developers are encouraged to submit a prototype sensor system that measures fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The system should be capable of rapid deployment and continuous real-time monitoring of highly dynamic air pollution levels during a fire event. Developers should also aim for designs that are easy to use and self-powered; include location data; and wirelessly transmit data to a central data-receiving station. 

Foundation Opportunities
beckman
Beckman Young Investigator Program
SEAS Deadline to Request Endorsement: August 4, 2017
OSP Deadline: August 7, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 14, 2017
Award Amount: $600,000. Overhead is not provided.
Target Applicants: Assistant Professors appointed on or after August 14, 2014

The Beckman Young Investigator (BYI) Program provides research support to the most promising young faculty members in the early stages of their academic careers in the chemical and life sciences, particularly to foster the invention of methods, instruments and materials that will open up new avenues of research in science.  Projects proposed for the BYI program should be truly innovative, high-risk, and show promise for contributing to significant advances in chemistry and the life sciences. They should represent a departure from current research directions rather than an extension or expansion of existing programs. Proposed research that cuts across traditional boundaries of scientific disciplines is encouraged. Proposals that open up new avenues of research in chemistry and the life sciences by fostering the invention of methods, instruments and materials will be given additional consideration.  
Toyota
University Research Program
OSP Deadline: August 24, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 31, 2017
Award Amount: Up to $500,000 per year for up to 3 years

The Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA) University Research Program is a sponsored research program created to drive the next generation of technology for the material handling industry. The industry's end-to-end approach to provide complete solutions to customers that are smarter, more efficient and more effective has fueled this program. The mission is to encourage professors and researchers to apply their knowledge of engineering and technical fields, drawing synergies and collaboration between collegiate research and Toyota Material Handling North America. Proposal themes related to the following areas are encouraged: Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality, Energy Infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, ADAS systems, and Machine Learning. Given the broad nature material handling, other themes are welcome as well.

FoundationsEngineering
Grant Programs
OSP Deadline: August 24, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 31, 2017
Award Amount: $5,000-$25,000. Overhead is not allowed.
 
Grants support developmental projects, instructional projects, and training programs in engineering education and research that fit the foundation's fields of interest. These currently include the availability and use of published information, women in engineering, and information access in developing countries.

templeton
Core Funding Areas
Letter of Intent Deadline: August 31, 2017
OSP Deadline (if invited to submit full proposal): January 24, 2018
Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline (if invited): January 31, 2018
Award Amount: Individual grants vary in amount. Smallest active grant is about $35,000 and largest is $7.6 million.
 
The Foundation offers grants in support of research and public engagement in the following major Funding Areas:
  • The Science & the Big Questions Funding Area supports innovative efforts to address the deepest questions facing humankind. Why are we here? How can we flourish? What are the fundamental structures of reality? What can we know about the nature and purposes of the divine?
  • The Character Virtue Development funding area seeks to advance the science and practice of character, with a focus on moral, performance, civic, and intellectual virtues such as humility, gratitude, curiosity, diligence, and honesty.
  • The Individual Freedom & Free Markets Funding Area supports education, research, and grassroots efforts to promote individual freedom, free markets, free competition, and entrepreneurship. Grounded in the ideas of classical liberal political economy, we seek and develop projects that focus on individuals and their place in a free society. 
  • The Exceptional Cognitive Talent & Genius Funding Area supports programs that aim to recognize and nurture exceptional cognitive talent, especially for those at an early stage of life. This Funding Area also supports research concerning the nature of cognitive genius, including extraordinary creativity, curiosity, and imagination.
  • The Genetics Funding Area seeks to advance genetics research by supporting novel approaches and contrarian projects, especially research that is undervalued by traditional funding sources. In addition to basic and translational research, this Funding Area supports educational programs that increase public awareness concerning the ways in which genetics-related research and its applications can advance human flourishing at the individual, familial, and societal levels.
  • The Voluntary Family Planning Funding Area supports programs that provide such resources for parents and families worldwide.
Banting
Deadline to Request Harvard Institutional Endorsement: September 12, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: September 20, 2017
Award Amount: $70,000 per year for 2 years

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, offered by the Government of Canada, provide two year fellowships to eligible postdoctoral students both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the country's economic, social and  research-based growth. Applications are accepted from all fields in the humanities, social sciences, health research, natural sciences and engineering. 

Candidates to be hosted by Harvard must fulfill all degree requirements for a PhD or equivalent between September 20, 2014 and September 30, 2018 and must be Canadian Citizens or permanent residents of Canada who have obtained/will obtain their PhD or equivalent from a Canadian university.  Those who wish to be hosted by Harvard University must include with their application a  Letter of Endorsement signed by the Vice Provost for Research. Applicants requesting a Letter of Endorsement are asked to provide the OVPR with a copy of their proposed  Supervisor's Statement through the online portal at the link above by September 12, 2017.  
CMC
Circular Materials Challenge: Recyclable Alternatives to Multi-Material Laminated Packaging Films
OSP Deadline: October 13, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: October 20, 2017
Award Amount: $200,000

The Circular Materials Challenge seeks to catalyse innovation, and help to advance the development of materials with the potential to become commercially viable, recyclable or compostable alternatives to the non-recyclable multi-material laminate films used in packaging today. The Challenge aims to stimulate the development of materials that could be captured and recycled or composted effectively, and at the same time have good enough properties to be used to package consumer products, such as food or personal care products. By identifying such materials this Challenge will bring us one step closer to creating a plastics system that works.

IARPA

IARPA_Amon-Hen
Amon-Hen Program BAA
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to submission
Proposal Due Date for Initial Round of Selections: August 11, 2017 (IARPA may evaluate proposals received after this date but prior to BAA closing.
BAA Closing Date: December 31, 2017
Award Amount: Proposed costs for Phase 1 should not exceed $4M; Proposed costs for Phase 2 should not exceed $8M.

The Intelligence Community (IC) needs to ensure Space Situational Awareness and
monitor the operational status of US Government satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit. Capabilities that enhance our ability to visually monitor these satellites, particularly through
passive, ground-based observation, will help address this need. The IARPA Amon-Hen program seeks novel interferometric approaches that enable the development of low-cost imaging systems (overall system cost reductions of greater than one order of magnitude) without significantly impacting other performance capabilities when compared to existing designs. The Amon-Hen program is envisioned as a 33-month effort that is intended to begin by March 2018. Phase 1 will last for a period of 15 months and will focus on the development of component technologies, the development of physics-based system modeling capabilities, and the development of image reconstruction algorithms. Phase 2 will be 18 months and will focus on further maturation of component technologies and subsystems to bread board capabilities enabling an end-of-phase, open sky measurement.

IARPA_other
Other IARPA Opportunities
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

NASASmallsat
Smallsat Technology Partnerships (STP)
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to submission
Sponsor Deadline for Notices of Intent (required): August 21, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Full Proposals: September 20, 2017
Award Amount: Up to $200,000/year for up to 2 years. In addition, a NASA civil servant or JPL employee labor allocation of up to 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) per award, per year will be available to support NASA involvement. Proposal teams can request up to $25,000 of procurement funding for the second year of a project to cover NASA expenses in the collaboration. 
 
This solicitation is an appendix to the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) NASA Research Announcement (NRA), titled "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2017." The STMD Small Spacecraft Technology program seeks proposals from accredited U.S. universities to develop unique, disruptive, or transformational space technologies that have the potential to enable mission capabilities that are more rapid, more transformative, and more affordable than previously achievable. The overall objective of the Small Spacecraft Technology program is to facilitate development projects and demonstration missions that: enable new mission architectures for which small spacecraft are uniquely suited; expand the capability of small spacecraft to execute missions at new destinations and in challenging new environments; enable the augmentation of existing assets and future missions with supporting small spacecraft. Partnering between the university team and a NASA Center or Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is required in all funded Smallsat Technology Partnership projects.
 
The appendix exclusively seeks proposals that are responsive to one of three topics:
(1) Instrument Technologies for Small Spacecraft.
(2) Technologies That Enable Large Swarms of Small Spacecraft.
(3) Technologies That Enable Deep Space Small Spacecraft Missions.
 
Approximately 5 awards total will be made across all Technology Topic Areas.


NASAROSBioAppC
ROSBio Appendix C: Solicitation of Proposals for Possible Inclusion in a Russian Bion-M2 Mission
OSP Deadline: August 17, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 24, 2017
Award Amount: Award amount and maximum duration will be announced when full proposals are invited.
 
In 2020 or 2021, the Federal Space Agency of Russia (Roscosmos) and the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) will launch a second unmanned biosatellite in the Bion-M series. The goal of Bion missions, begun in 1973, is to investigate how the space environment affects living organisms, with emphasis on physiological changes in primates and rodents, gravitational biology using a wide variety of specimens, and radiation biology. Understanding and knowledge of how life is affected by spaceflight facilitates development of countermeasures against adverse consequences to health and performance in human space exploration. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) participation in the Bion-M2 mission will continue a 30-year history of collaborative research between NASA and the Russian Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP), Moscow. NASA's Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications Division (SLPSRAD) has been invited to propose candidate experiments from U.S. investigators for possible inclusion in the Bion-M2 mission. The purpose of this Space Biology NASA Research Announcement (NRA) is to request proposals for flight investigations that fit within the IBMP flight experiment designs using mice, cell culture, invertebrate animals, plants, algae, and microorganisms. For this Appendix, NASA Space Biology will use a two-phase submission and review process. The first phase will require the submission and evaluation of a preliminary proposal, hereafter referred to as a pre-proposal. In the second phase, applicants whose pre-proposals satisfy the evaluation criteria will be invited to submit a full proposal which will undergo scientific merit and technical feasibility review.
 
Grants are anticipated to be funded in three phases, Phase 1 for definition of flight experiments, Phase 2 for a reduced amount between the time definition is completed and the experiment is manifested and flown, and Phase 3 with a suitable budget to support the flight component and any post-flight analyses.


NASACANDual
Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) 2017 Dual Use Technology Development at NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
OSP Deadline: September 22, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: September 30, 2017
Award Amount: $25,000 - $75,000 for 12 months; matching details below
 
John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) is the primary NASA rocket propulsion testing center. SSC tests items ranging from multi-engine stages to individual components of rocket engines. CAN supports identification and implementation of cost-sharing partnerships to develop technology to meet a specific NASA need at SSC.
 
SSC technology interests, include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Propulsion system test technology;
  • Autonomous & intelligent systems;
  • Advanced sensors & instruments;
  • Image & signal processing;
  • Energy harvesting;
  • Innovative components & materials;
  • Big data processing & analysis;
  • Systems engineering & optimization;
  • Computational modeling & simulation;
  • Decision support tools & systems.
Partners must contribute an equal value of resources to match the NASA funding for the project. Partner contributions may be cash, non-cash or both.

NASAUSRC
University Student Research Challenge (USRC) - A Pilot Project
OSP Deadline: October 9, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Full Proposals: October 16, 2017
Award Amount: NASA's share of awards will not exceed the sum total of $70,000 in direct costs plus the institution's indirect costs. This program has a cost-share requirement through which NASA will match two dollars in direct costs for every crowdfunded dollar, up to a maximum of $35,000.
 
Through this solicitation the Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP) seeks to develop novel concepts with the potential to create new capabilities in aeronautics by stimulating aeronautics research in the student community. TACP will provide students, from accredited U.S. colleges or universities, with grants for aeronautics projects that also raise cost sharing funds using crowdfunding platforms. Projects that are successfully crowdfunded will necessarily engage the general public. This use of crowdfunding is being piloted to excite and bring in non-traditional communities in relationship with ARMD.
 
This challenge, which is being run as a pilot project, seeks students who have an aeronautics-related project idea and have the passion to develop that idea. The project must be relevant to the aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Strategic Implementation Plan and address one of ARMD's six strategic thrusts as they affect aviation:
 
1. Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations;
2. Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft;
3. Ultra-Efficient Commercial Vehicles;
4. Transition to Low-Carbon Propulsion;
5. Real-Time System-Wide Safety Assurance; and
6. Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation.
 
The solicitation goal can be accomplished through project ideas such as advancing the design, developing technology or capabilities in support of aviation, by demonstrating a novel concept, or enabling advancement of aeronautics-related technologies.
 
If proposal is selected by NASA, students are notified that they may proceed with crowdfunding. If crowdfunding is fully successful (the team receives 100% or more of the proposed cost share amount), then student submits proof to NASA and the student's institution of higher education is awarded the NASA grant. The NASA grants will have a one-year period of performance. NASA will consider around 6 awards in this pilot project.


NASAJohnsonSpace
Johnson Space Center:  Research Opportunities for ISS Utilization
Exploration Technology Demonstration and National Lab Utilization Enhancements
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to sponsor deadline
Sponsor Deadline for White Papers (recommended): October 31, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Full Proposals: December 31, 2017
Award Amount: Details below
 
This announcement is for the development of experiment hardware with enhanced capabilities; modification of existing hardware to enable increased efficiencies (crew time, power, etc.);  development of tools that allow analyses of samples and specimens on orbit; enhanced ISS infrastructure capabilities (ex. communications or data processing); and specific technology demonstration projects. Submission of a white paper is recommended in advance of a full proposal.
 
Within the NASA International Space Station (ISS) Research Integration Office, the Technology and Science Research Office (TSRO) and Commercial Space Utilization Office (CSUO) act as "gateways" to the ISS. The Technology and Science Research Office serves as the gateway for NASA-funded technology demonstrations. The Commercial Space Utilization Office serves as the gateway for non-NASA government-funded investigations, as well as non-profit or commercially-funded investigations.
 
Proposed technology demonstrations submitted to TSRO should address at least one of the technology areas mentioned in the ISS Technology Demonstration Plans . In addition, NASA seeks technology demonstrations related to the following thrust area: Space Suit CO2 Sensor.
 
NASA also seeks technological concepts via CSUO related to the National Lab Thrust Areas and to expand the onboard research and analytical capabilities. The general thrust areas are:
  • Innovative uses of the ISS or ISS hardware that leverage existing capabilities to stimulate both utilization of the ISS and economic development in the U.S.
  • Other improvements to existing ISS capabilities, including but not limited to infrastructure, in situ analytical tools, and communication/data transmittal, to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the technology demonstrations and science investigations performed on the ISS.
  • Unique partnering arrangements that leverage NASA's existing capabilities but increase the commercial participation in research and on board services. 
One specific thrust area is still accepting proposals: Virtual Reality/360° Video System.

Funds are not currently available for awards under this NASA Research Announcement (NRA). The Government's ability to make award(s) is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment can be made and the receipt of proposals that NASA determines acceptable for award under this NRA. Successful proposals will have launch and integration costs covered by NASA.


OtherNASA
Other NASA Opportunities
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
nih_pioneer
NIH
NIH Director's Pioneer Award
OSP Deadline: August 25, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: September 1, 2017
Award Amount: $700,000/year for five years plus applicable F&A
 
The Pioneer Award supports individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose pioneering and possibly transforming approaches to addressing major biomedical or behavioral challenges that have the potential to produce an unusually high impact on enhancing health, lengthening life, and reducing illness and disability.  To be considered pioneering, the proposed research must reflect ideas substantially different from those being pursued in the investigator's research program or being pursued elsewhere. While the research direction may have as its foundation the applicant's prior work and expertise, it cannot be an obvious extension or scale up of a current research enterprise which could be anticipated to be competitive as a new or renewal R01 application. Rather, the proposed project must reflect a fundamental new insight into the potential solution of a problem, which may derive from the development of exceptionally innovative approaches and/or from the posing of radically unconventional hypotheses. Pioneer awardees are required to commit the major portion (at least 51%) of their research effort to activities supported by the Pioneer Award research project in the first three years of the project period. Effort expended toward teaching, administrative, or clinical duties should not be included in this calculation. Awardees will be allowed to reduce effort to 33% and 25% in the fourth and fifth years, respectively.

nih_newin
NIH
NIH Director's New Innovator Award
OSP Deadline: August 31, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: September 8, 2017
Award Amount: $300,000/year for five years plus applicable F&A
Eligible Applicants: Applicants must meet the definition of an Early Stage Investigator (ESI) at the time of application. An ESI is a new investigator (defined as a PD/PI who has not competed successfully for a significant NIH independent research award) who is within 10 years of completing his/her terminal research degree or is within 10 years of completing medical residency (or the equivalent). 
 
The NIH Director's New Innovator Award (DP2) supports a small number of early stage investigators of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative new research approaches that have the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important problems in biomedical and behavioral research.  It is designed specifically to support unusually creative investigators with highly innovative research ideas at an early stage of their career when they may lack the preliminary data required for an R01 grant application. The emphasis is on innovation and creativity; preliminary data are not required, but may be included. No detailed, annual budget is requested in the application. The review process emphasizes the individual's creativity, the innovativeness of the research approaches, and the potential of the project, if successful, to have a significant impact on an important biomedical or behavioral research problem.

nih_transformative
NIH
NIH Director's Transformative Research Award
OSP Deadline: September 8, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: September 15, 2017
Award Amount: Application budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. Maximum project duration is five years.
 
The goal of the NIH Director's Transformative Research Award is to provide support for collaborative investigative teams or individual scientists who propose unusually innovative research projects, which, if successful, would have a major impact in a broad area of biomedical or behavioral research. To be considered transformative, projects must have the potential to create or overturn fundamental scientific paradigms through the use of novel approaches, to transform the way research is conducted through the development of novel tools or technologies, or to lead to major improvements in health through the development of highly innovative therapies, diagnostic tools, or preventive strategies. Consistent with this focus, applications supported under the Transformative Research Award will reflect ideas substantially different from mainstream concepts. Little or no preliminary data are expected. 


OtherNIHOpps
Other NIH Opportunities:

National Science Foundation

National Science Foundation: Dear Colleague Letters

  NSFDCBPC
Pursuing Meaningful Actions in Support of Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC)
OSP Deadline: N/A
Sponsor Deadline: N/A
Award Amount: N/A 

With this Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), CISE announces a pilot effort to enhance the community's awareness of and barriers to broadening participation in computing (BPC), as well as to provide information and resources to principal investigators (PIs) so that they can develop interest, skills, and activities in support of BPC at all levels (K-12, undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate).

Towards this end, CISE is pursuing a pilot BPC effort:
  • Beginning this fall, CISE will enhance support for the foundations of BPC through dedicated outreach to the community and support for PIs to learn about BPC. In addition, all CISE PIs will be strongly encouraged to include meaningful BPC plans in the Broader Impacts section of submitted proposals, starting with deadlines in fall 2017 (refer to program-specific solicitations for details), and/or to begin preparing to include such plans in future proposal submissions.
  • Building on NSF's experience with center-scale activities such as the Engineering Research Centers (ERC) and Science and Technology Centers (STC) programs, CISE will also pilot a requirement for meaningful BPC plans in all proposals submitted to the Expeditions in Computing program, and to the Frontier competitions of the Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) programs.
  • CISE will continue with outreach and education efforts throughout the community and will expand the BPC pilot requirement to additional CISE programs calling for multi-investigator, team-oriented science in fall 2018.
  • During this period, CISE will conduct an evaluation of the pilot to assess the effectiveness of the approach and determine appropriate next steps, including potential further expansion of this effort in 2019 and beyond.

NSFDCD3SC

Successful D3SC proposals will emphasize new information that can be obtained from better utilization of data (including data from multiple laboratories, techniques, and/or chemical systems), and how this can lead to new research directions. Proposals that foster and strengthen interactions among chemists (especially experimental chemists) and data scientists to advance research goals are strongly encouraged. The most competitive proposals will provide detailed discussion of specific data-enabled approaches to be used, the significant chemical problem to be studied, new fundamental chemical knowledge to be gained, as well as the broader relevance of the proposed activities to other areas of chemical research. Proposal elements that consider error and uncertainty analysis, record and store appropriate metadata, and determine the robustness and reliability of data are encouraged. Examples of possible topics include (but are not limited to) using tools of data visualization, data mining, machine learning (including emerging approaches such as deep learning and active learning), or other data analysis approaches to: 
  • Accelerate the discovery of more efficient or selective catalysts; 
  • Advance the design of new chemical species and/or synthetic reactions, and forecast improved synthetic conditions; 
  • Map the mechanisms by which chemicals interact and transform, both covalently and noncovalently, and predict structure/property relations based on existing chemical datasets; 
  • Discover principles of multiscale organization underlying emergent chemical phenomena in macromolecular systems; 
  • Enable real-time feedback loops between chemical data collection and processing for rapid identification and correlation of key events during chemical measurements; 
  • Harness chemistry's rich, diverse but distributed datasets and identify novel ways of sharing and utilizing chemical data derived from multiple instruments, datatypes, and locations; 
  • Develop innovative approaches for integrating, correlating, and analyzing chemical simulation or measurement data to provide new chemical insights.

NSFDCNSFC
NSF/NSFC Joint Research on Environmental Sustainability Challenges
OSP Deadline: October 13, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: October 20, 2017
Award Amount: up to a total of $500K for four years for each U.S. team

The NSF Engineering and Geosciences Directorates (ENG and GEO) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Department of Engineering and Material Sciences (DEMS) and Department of Geosciences are partnering to encourage joint research by U.S. - China teams collaborating on fundamental research that addresses critical environmental sustainability challenges.

Among nations, the U.S. and China have the two largest economies on Earth and also have important engineering, technology, business and trade relationships with each other. Both nations face significant environmental sustainability challenges, for example in the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus, urban sustainability, global change, and manufacturing. Fundamental research is needed to provide the foundational knowledge for addressing these challenges.

This call is for research proposals from joint U.S. - China teams in the environmental sustainability themes of:

"Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems (INFEWS: U.S.-China)"
  1. Quantitative and computational modeling of a FEW system; and 
  2. Innovative human and technological solutions to critical FEW systems problems.
Every proposal must include the participation of researchers from at least one U.S. institution and at least one institution in China. 


NSFDCRemove
Removal of Deadlines for Biological and Environmental Interactions of Nanoscale Materials Program in the Division of Chemical, Biological, Environmental, and Transport Systems in the Directorate for Engineering
OSP Deadline: N/A
Sponsor Deadline: N/A
Award Amount: Unspecified

The Biological and Environmental Interactions of Nanoscale Materials Program in the Division of Chemical, Biological, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) has, as of April 2017, eliminated target dates and will accept proposals for consideration at any time. To allow time to adapt to the "open submission - no deadline" guidelines, new proposals will be considered for review after July 20, 2017.

For FAQs about this announcement, please see here. 

NSFDCUpdatedPrograms

  • Biophotonics: This program's scope remains unchanged.
  • Cellular and Biochemical Engineering (CBE): The name change for this program, formerly Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering (BBE), indicates the addition of the characterization and engineering of therapeutic live cells to the program. Another significant revision is that all proposals are required to include a section on the impact of proposed research on the associated biomanufacturing process.
  • Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering (DARE): This program has been refocused from the previous General and Age Related Disabilities Engineering (GARDE) program. The new scope retains the primary emphasis on engineering advancements that will positively impact the lives of individuals with disabilities while expanding the focus to include fundamental research in two areas: human movement and injury mechanisms. Fundamental research in these focus areas is linked directly to both minimizing disabilities and improving outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
  • Engineering of Biomedical Systems (EBMS): This program has been refocused from the previous Biomedical Engineering (BME) program. The primary shift in focus is to emphasize the engineering nature of research to be funded by EBMS, as compared to an application of existing technology. The targeted themes were removed to instead focus on the engineering process of studying biomedical systems, including the validation of hybrid system designs and models of physiological and pathophysiological systems.
  • Nano-Biosensing:  This program was revised to emphasize the importance of incorporating reproducibility of measurements and sensor performance, while decreasing error rate in the developed nano-biosensing systems.

NSFDCJST
NSF-Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Collaborative Research
Letter of Intent: August 25, 2017
OSP Deadline: October 5, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: October 15, 2017
Award Amount: $15,000 (supplemental funding)  

With this Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), NSF/CISE is encouraging the submission of supplemental funding requests (of up to $15,000 each, covering travel, lodging and subsistence) to strengthen and expand collaborations between NSF- and Japan Science and Technology Agency-funded PIs in shared priority areas. CISE anticipates awarding up to 10 such supplemental funding requests in FY 2018. Supplemental funding to active NSF awards is intended to enable US-based researchers (i.e., PIs and co-PIs, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students) to collaborate with Japan-based researchers currently funded by JST. 610)

NSFDCLAIM
Research on Integrated Photonics Utilizing AIM Photonics Capabilities
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to submission
Sponsor Deadline: ECCS window from October 1, 2017 to November 1, 2017
Award Amount: Not specified

This DCL seeks to encourage innovative exploratory and translational research by academic faculty and small businesses in all aspects of integrated photonics that utilize the current silicon photonics capabilities resident in AIM Photonics.  Research projects utilizing the AIM Photonics fabrication process technologies via multi-project wafer runs should have an objective to bring a specific innovation to integrated photonics circuits and components or to demonstrate a new approach that uses integrated photonics as its differentiator. Examples of such challenges may include:

  • Research into new applications of PICs that have promise of breakthrough performance due to the use of an integrated photonic component;
  • New devices that are realizable within AIM Photonics standardized integrated silicon photonics process;
  • PIC implementations that have innovative contributions to advancements of photonics circuits (i.e., low power, greater bandwidths and dynamic ranges, better tolerances, new topologies, etc.);
  • Innovative design approaches and new models of integrated photonics devices/circuits;
  • Materials and attachment technologies for incorporating integrated photonics into novel packages.

NSFDCTransitiontoGrad
Improving and Supporting the Transition to Graduate School in the Mathematical Sciences
OSP Deadline: November 29, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: December 6, 2017
Award Amount: Varies by division

The National Science Foundation's Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) and Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) are collaborating to encourage proposals that would improve and support student transition to and subsequent success in doctoral programs in the mathematical sciences. Participating divisions within the two directorates are the Divisions of Mathematical Sciences (DMS), Graduate Education (DGE), Undergraduate Education (DUE), and Human Resource Development (HRD).  Projects that develop partnerships among faculty, departments, and graduate schools, as well as those that leverage technology are expected. To achieve the dual aims of (1) scalability and (2) sustainability, it is envisioned that most proposed strategies will also: (3) reach students predominantly at their home institutions, with limited student travel required, and (4) have the potential to create systemic change regarding how students are prepared for success in graduate school, particularly doctoral programs. All projects should contain a rigorous evaluation plan that includes assessment of impact on students and the institution.


NSFDCLInternetThings
Encouraging Submission of Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Proposals in Areas Related to the Internet of Things
OSP Deadline for Preliminary Proposal: October 11, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Preliminary Proposal: October 18, 2017
OSP Deadline for Full Proposal: December 13, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Full Proposal: December 20, 2017
Award Amount: See IUCRC details here.

This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) encourages collaborations between industry and academe in research related to IoT specifically and, more broadly, cyber-physical systems. The aim is to establish multi-university IUCRCs that, in collaboration with their industry partners, are capable of collectively addressing large-scale and cross-disciplinary challenges in the broad context of IoT. NSF therefore welcomes and encourages proposals in response to the IUCRC program solicitation,  NSF 17-516, in the areas outlined in this DCL. Potential areas of precompetitive research that are of interest include, but are not limited to:
  • Mobile technologies and applications;
  • Healthcare and biomedical technologies;
  • Smart grids and energy management;
  • IoT Platforms, sensors, controls, and actuators;
  • Agriculture and farming-based applications;
  • Smart City/Community applications;
  • Transportation and traffic management systems;
  • Industrial and Manufacturing applications;
  • Metrics, measurements, and benchmarking;
  • Standards, practices, and policies (e.g., legal, regulatory); and
  • Trust, security, and privacy in IoT.

NSFDCIncludes
Announcement of an Effort to Expand the NSF INCLUDES National Network
OSP Deadline: November 3, 2017;  April  9, 2018
Sponsor Deadline: November 13, 2017; April 16, 2018
Award Amount: $300,000 for two years (EAGER); $250,000 for up to two years (Conference) 

Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) is a comprehensive effort to enhance U.S. leadership in science and engineering discovery and innovation by proactively seeking and effectively developing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent from all sectors and groups in our society. As one element of its multi-faceted approach to NSF INCLUDES, NSF is currently focusing on and identifying novel ways in which new and currently-funded NSF projects from across all NSF directorates can engage with the NSF INCLUDES National Network. We have called this process building "on-ramps" to the NSF INCLUDES National Network. To do this, we encourage the submission of funding requests for i) Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), ii) Conferences and Workshops, and iii) Supplements to existing NSF-funded grants.

 NSFDCQuantum
Funding Opportunity - A "Quantum Leap" Demonstration of Topological Quantum Computing
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to proposal submission
Sponsor White Paper Deadline: Rolling
Award Amount: $300,000 maximum for up to 2 years
 
The Division of Materials Research (DMR) invites submission of high-risk / high-payoff proposals aiming at fundamental research to realize topological qubits and encourages PIs to submit Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals. Prior to submission of an EAGER proposal, a one-page whitepaper must be prepared and discussed with a cognizant Program Director. Proposals must be focused on fundamental materials research aspects within the scope of DMR and offer potentially transformative exploratory concepts of topological computing with a high-risk / high-payoff characteristic.


NSFDCMPSAST
MPS-AST Facility Divestment Activity
OSP Dealdine: N/A
Sponsor Deadline: N/A
Award Amount: N/A

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and its Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST) remain committed to the provision of leading-edge facilities as well as small and mid-scale funding opportunities that are made available to the U.S. astronomical community for the conduct of merit-reviewed science. This Letter provides the community with a top-level summary of the current status of NSF actions regarding facility divestment recommendations made in 2012 by a committee chartered to review the AST facility and program portfolio.

National Science Foundation: Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering (NSF: CISE)

NSFCISECRII
CISE Research Initiation Initiative (CRII)
OSP Deadline: August 2, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: August 9, 2017
Award Amount: $175,000 max. for over up to 24 months

With the goal of encouraging research independence immediately upon obtaining one's first academic position after receipt of the PhD, the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) will award grants to initiate the course of one's independent research. Understanding the critical role of establishing that independence early in one's career, it is expected that funds will be used to support untenured faculty or research scientists (or equivalent) in their first three years in a primary academic position after the PhD, but not more than a total of five years after completion of their PhD. 

One may not yet have received any other grants or contracts in the Principal Investigator (PI) role from any department, agency, or institution of the federal government, including from the CAREER program or any other program, post-PhD, regardless of the size of the grant or contract, with certain exceptions. 


OtherNSFCISE
NSF: CISE Opportunities

National Science Foundation: Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences (NSF: MPS)

NSFMPSJointDMS
Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences
OSP Deadline: September 11, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: September 18, 2017
Award Amount:  $100,000 to $400,000 (total costs) per year with durations of 3-5 years

This program is designed to support research in mathematics and statistics on questions in the biological and biomedical sciences. A direct relationship between a biological application and the mathematical and/or statistical work is expected. Research collaborations that include scientists from both the life sciences community and the mathematical and statistical sciences communities are encouraged. Both new and existing collaborations will be supported. Proposals from single investigators will need to make the case that the individual has expertise in both fields.

Successful proposals will either involve the formulation of new mathematical, computational, or statistical models and tools whose analysis poses significant mathematical challenges or identify innovative mathematics or statistics needed to solve an important biological problem. Research that would apply standard mathematical or statistical techniques to solve biological problems is not appropriate for this competition and should be submitted directly to NIH. Similarly, proposals with research in mathematics or statistics that is not tied to a specific biological problem should be submitted to the appropriate DMS program at NSF. Proposals designed to create new software tools based on existing models and methods will not be accepted in this competition.


NSFMPSDMR
NSF: MPS
Division of Materials Research: Topical Materials Research Programs (DMR-TMRP)
OSP Deadline: October 25, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: November 1, 2017
Award Amount: varies by project; see details

Research supported by the Division of Materials Research (DMR) focuses on advancing fundamental understanding of materials, materials discovery, design, synthesis, characterization, properties, and materials-related phenomena. DMR awards enable understanding of the electronic, atomic, and molecular structures, mechanisms, and processes that govern nanoscale to macroscale morphology and properties; manipulation and control of these properties; discovery of emerging phenomena of matter and materials; and creation of novel design, synthesis, and processing strategies that lead to new materials with unique characteristics. These discoveries and advancements transcend traditional scientific and engineering disciplines. The Division supports research and education activities in the United States through funding of individual investigators, teams, centers, facilities, and instrumentation. Projects supported by DMR are essential for the development of future technologies and industries that meet societal needs, as well preparation of the next generation of materials researchers.

This solicitation applies to the following six DMR Topical Materials Research Programs that fund research and educational projects by individual investigators or small groups: Biomaterials (BMAT), Condensed Matter Physics (CMP), Electronic and Photonic Materials (EPM), Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN), Polymers (POL), and Solid-State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC).

 
OtherNSFMPS 
NSF: MPS Opportunities  


OtherNSFDFE 
NSF: ENG Opportunities
National Science Foundation: Crosscutting and Interdisciplinary

NSFCIFrontier
Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation 2018 (EFRI-2018)
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to submission
Sponsor Deadline for Letters of Intent (required): September 29, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Preliminary Proposals (required): October 25, 2017
Sponsor Deadline for Invited Full Proposals: February 23, 2018
Award Amount: Up to $2M over 4 years. Up to 13 awards are anticipated.
 
The Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) program of the NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG) serves a critical role in helping ENG focus on important emerging areas in a timely manner. EFRI seeks proposals with transformative ideas that represent an opportunity for a significant shift in fundamental engineering knowledge with a strong potential for long term impact on national needs or a grand challenge. This solicitation will be coordinated with the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) and the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE). All EFRI projects are required to include a "Broadening Participation Plan."
 
For this solicitation, NSF will consider proposals that aim to investigate emerging frontiers in the following two research areas:
  • Chromatin and Epigenetic Engineering (CEE) - This topic represents an interdisciplinary research area that will result in development of new strategies for reversible regulation or engineering of the systems of gene expression to modulate the phenotype and function of a living organism.
  • Continuum, Compliant, and Configurable Soft Robotics Engineering (C3 SoRo) - This topic supports interdisciplinary research to create an engineering science of soft robotics.              
INFORMATIONAL WEBCAST:  The Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA) Office will host an informational webinar on September 7th, 2017 at 1:00 PM EST to discuss the EFRI program and answer questions about the FY 2018 solicitation. Details on how to join this webinar will be posted on the EFMA Website.


NSFCIRET
NSF: Crosscutting and Interdisciplinary
Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science
Sponsor Deadline: October 10, 2017 for RET Site Applications; RET Supplements may be requested at any time by holders of active ENG or CISE awards or in conjunction with the submission of a proposal for a new ENG or CISE award
OSP Deadline: 5 business days prior to submission
Award Information: The maximum total request for a Site is $600,000 for a duration of up to 3 years. Supplements are limited to a maximum of $10,000 per teacher and/or community college faculty for a duration of 1 year. The total anticipated funding in FY 2018, FY 2019 and FY 2020 for both Sites and Supplements is approximately $5,800,000 per year. 
 
This program supports active long-term collaborative partnerships between K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, Computer and Information Science, and Mathematics (STEM) in-service and pre-service teachers, full-time community college faculty, and university faculty and students to enhance the scientific disciplinary knowledge and capacity of the STEM teachers and/or community college faculty through participation in authentic summer research experiences with engineering and computer science faculty researchers. The research projects and experiences all revolve around a focused research area related to engineering and/or computer science that will provide a common cohort experience to the participating educators. The K-12 STEM teachers and/or full-time community college faculty also translate their research experiences and new scientific knowledge into their classroom activities and curricula. The university team will include faculty, graduate and undergraduate students as well as industrial advisors. Involvement of graduate students in support of academic-year classroom activities is particularly encouraged.  Partnerships with inner city, rural or other high needs schools are especially encouraged, as is participation by underrepresented minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

This announcement features two mechanisms for support of in-service and pre-service K-12 STEM teachers and full-time community college faculty: (1) RET supplements to ongoing ENG and CISE awards and (2) new RET Site awards.  Please note that this is a limited submission opportunity and institutions may submit a maximum of three applications to host an RET Site. If you are interested in applying, please contact Erin Hale ( [email protected]) .



NSFCISaTC

The SaTC program welcomes proposals that address cybersecurity and privacy, and draw on expertise in one or more of these areas: computing, communication and information sciences; engineering; economics; education; mathematics; statistics; and social and behavioral sciences. 
Proposals that advance the field of cybersecurity and privacy within a single discipline or interdisciplinary efforts that span multiple disciplines are both encouraged. Proposals may be submitted in one of the following three project size classes:
  • Small projects: up to $500,000 in total budget, with durations of up to three years;
  • Medium projects: $500,001 to $1,200,000 in total budget, with durations of up to four years;
  • Frontier projects: $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 in total budget, with durations of up to five years.

NSFCISemSys
Semiconductor Synthetic Biology for Information Processing and Storage Technologies (SemiSynBio)
OSP Deadline: October 23, 2017
Sponsor Deadline: October 30, 2017
Award Amount: up to $500,000 per year for three years

NSF has established a partnership with the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) Global Research Collaboration (GRC) program and the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) to announce a solicitation on the "Semiconductor Synthetic Biology for Information Processing and Storage Technologies (SemiSynBio)". Future ultra-low-energy computing, storage and signal-processing systems can be built on principles derived from organic systems that are at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and engineering. New information technologies can be envisioned that are based on biological principles and that use biomaterials in the fabrication of devices and components; it is anticipated that these information technologies could enable stored data to be retained for more than 100 years and storage capacity to be 1,000 times greater than current capabilities. These could also facilitate compact computers that will operate with substantially lower power than today's computers. Research in support of these goals can have a significant impact on advanced information processing and storage technologies. This focused solicitation seeks high-risk/high-return interdisciplinary research on novel concepts and enabling technologies that will address the scientific issues and technological challenges associated with the underpinnings of synthetic biology integrated with semiconductor technology. This research will foster interactions among various disciplines including biology, engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, computer science, and information science that will enable heretofore-unanticipated breakthroughs as well as meet educational goals.

 
OtherNSFCross2 
Other NSF: Crosscutting and Interdisciplinary Opportunities

_________________________________________

For assistance, please contact:

Erin Hale
Senior Research Development Officer
[email protected] | 617-496-5252

Jennifer Corby
Research Development Officer
[email protected] | 617-495-1590


Research Development | Research Administration Services | research.fas.harvard.edu