DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
We have exciting news to share with our stakeholders this week: Project CAFÉ teams concluded their first six-month phase of implementing eight prioritized long-term initiatives. Through the commitment of NIFA employees and continued support from our stakeholders, each of these initiatives produced impactful outcomes.
- Grant portfolio data analysis:
The team completed a successful pilot of a new analytics tool that will allow for rapid analysis of grants. The result of this effort will be expediting our ability to answer complex questions regarding NIFA’s portfolio. - NIFA’s website:
The team published and maintained new or revised NIFA website content, including: NIFA’s organizational structures, NPL points of contact information, our RFA calendar and a new, easy-to-use layout of our Program page. - NIFA’s RFAs:
The team completed the research and analysis phase of its work. These efforts included interviewing external stakeholders and other grants-making federal agencies as well as conducting comprehensive analyses of RFAs issued by other granting agencies/organizations. - NIFA workshops and webinars:
The team identified eight new standardized webinars to help inform stakeholders about funding opportunities as well as NIFA’s application and funding processes. - Panelist payments:
The team identified process improvements which will reduce average payment cycle times to 20-30 days. - Grant program implementation schedule:
The team developed a planning tool that defines target dates for each step of the granting process, from publication of the RFA to delivering funds to the awardees.
Team is now tracking actual performance for each step across all grant programs. Actual vs. planned timing is being reported using a centralized dashboard.
- New hire training:
The team completed the curation and creation of new hire training materials for three key positions within NIFA. - Panel manager hiring process:
The team identified, clarified and streamlined the roles and responsibilities throughout the panel manager hiring and extension process. The results will improve the experience and timelines to onboard or retain NIFA panel managers.
Please continue to visit the Project CAFÉ Dashboard and follow the progress on these initiatives as they move forward into the next phase which, will conclude December 1, 2021.
Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program for fiscal year (FY) 2021. There are two types of UAIP Grants types which are entitled (1) Planning Projects and (2) Implementation Projects. The primary goal of UAIP is to assist eligible entities with projects that support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production.
(1) Planning Projects (PP): The estimated funding floor for PP is $50,000 and the funding ceiling is $200,000.
(2) Implementation Projects (IP): The estimated funding floor for IP is $50,000 and the funding ceiling is $300,000.
These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.
- Due July 30, 2021
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD)
DARPA SBIR Opportunity: The Biological Materials and Strategic Formulations SBIR Program
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Small Business Programs Office (SBPO) is issuing an SBIR/STTR Opportunity (SBO) inviting submissions of innovative research concepts in the technical domain(s) of Biotechnology and Materials/Processes. In particular, DARPA is interested in understanding the feasibility of The Biological Materials and Strategic Formulations SBIR Program. Proposals can be submitted June 17, 2021 through 12pm ET July 20, 2021.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)
EERE BETO Wanted Unpublished and Underused Bioenergy Technology Data
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
STEM Career Development for High School Aged youth
These awards will improve water quality, habitat, community resilience, and environmental education in the Gulf of Mexico watershed within the Continental United States (see individual funding opportunities for geographic specifications). For a list of projects funded by the Gulf of Mexico Division (GMD) under previous RFAs, please see the EPA Gulf of Mexico story map. EPA is seeking applications for projects within the four funding opportunities listed below, each of which has a separate Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and is separately posted on www.grants.gov. Applicants must apply for the specific funding opportunity they are interested in. The four funding opportunities and associated FONs are:
• Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking
FON: EPA-GM-2021-MiST
• Trash Free Waters – Preventing More, Picking Up Less
FON: EPA-GM-2021-TFW
• Building Community Resilience Through the Reduction and Prevention of Nonpoint Source Pollution
FON: EPA-GM-2021-NPS
• STEM Career Development for High School Aged Youth
FON: EPA-GM-2021-HSCD
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)
Extended Longevity of 3D Tissues and Microphysiological Systems for Modeling of Acute and Chronic Exposures to Stressors This Research Announcement solicits scientific proposals for studies for “Extended Longevity of 3D Tissues and Microphysiological Systems for Modeling of Acute and Chronic Exposures to Stressors” and aims to fund the development and validation of tissue chips which can function successfully for 6 months or more in an automated fashion, and can be used for modeling of acute and/or chronic exposures (e.g., to drugs and other compounds, radiation, environmental hazards, infection, microgravity exposure, etc.). Applications that adapt existing MPS for long-term function are invited. Platforms will be assessed for biological and technical stability over the 6-month period, and should be amenable for exposure to acute or chronic stressors, conditions, or compounds (e.g., pollutant exposure, drug exposure and recovery, infectious disease assault, microgravity and/or radiation exposure, varying CO2 levels, etc.). Platforms should be able to replicate physiologically relevant conditions for ground-based studies. Successful platforms may have the opportunity to propose to fly their research project on the International Space Station (ISS) after the end of this solicitation period if funding allows and the platforms are scientifically appropriate and well-justified.
1) expand tissue viability and robust function for a minimum of 6 months, and
2) fully test and validate these models for acute and chronic stressors.
- Award amount: Budgets may not exceed $500,000 (total costs) per year over a maximum duration of 4 years for a total maximum award of $2M.
- Project period: Maximum of 4 years
- Key Dates
| NRA Release Date …………………………………… | May 27, 2021 |
| Preproposal Conference 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ET…… | June 8, 2021 |
| Step 1 Deadline ……………………………………… | June 28, 2021 |
| Step 2 Deadline at 11:59 p.m. ……………………… | September 14, 2021 |
| Selection Announced (target) ……………………….. | January 31, 2022 |
- Additional details: http://go.nasa.gov/3DTMPSNRA
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH (NIH)
Bridge to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program (T34)
The goal of the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program is to provide structured activities to prepare a diverse cohort of community college students to transfer to and complete a bachelor’s degree in biomedical research fields. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) provides support to eligible, domestic institutions to develop and implement effective, evidence-based approaches to biomedical training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the research enterprise. NIGMS expects that the proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, mentoring, and career development elements to prepare trainees to bridge from the community college and complete the bachelor’s degree in biomedical fields.
This program requires partnerships between two-year post-secondary educational institutions granting the associate degree with four-year colleges or universities that offer the baccalaureate degree.
This FOA does not allow appointed trainees to lead an independent clinical trial but does allow them to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.
- Application due September 27, 2021
- Award budget needs to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project for up to 5 years
The Bridge2AI Program Staff will provide an overview, describe the philosophy and spirit of the program, explain the overall goals and provide ample time for questions and interactive activities.
June 9, 2021
2:00-3:30pm ET
Bridge2Ai Data Generation Project Module Microlabs
Each Microlab will focus on two of the six required modules for Bridge2AI Data Generation Projects (i.e., teaming, data acquisition, data standards, ethics, tools, skills, and workforce development) and briefly introduce the rationale and purpose requirements for each module of expertise. The Microlabs will include time for interactive networking activities. June 14, 16, and 18, 2021
2:00-4:00pm ET each day
Bridge2AI Grand Challenge Team Building Expo
This event will communicate the vision of grand challenges in biomedical and behavioral research that will motivate Data Generation Projects. There will be networking opportunities for individuals with diverse expertise and backgrounds to meet and interact. June 23, 2021
11:00am-5:00pm ET
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ASSOCIATION (NOAA)
FY 2021 – 2023 – Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Announcement Type: Initial As an agency with responsibilities for maintaining and improving the viability of marine and coastal ecosystems, for delivering valuable weather, climate, and water information and services, for understanding the science and consequences of climate change, and for supporting the global commerce and transportation upon which we all depend, NOAA must remain current and responsive in an ever-changing world.
We do this in concert with our partners and stakeholders in Federal, state, and local governments and private organizations, applying a systematic approach that links our strategic goals through multi-year plans to the daily activities of our employees. Every year we are committed to re-evaluate our progress and priorities, look for efficiencies, and take advantage of new opportunities to improve our information, products, and services. In furtherance of this objective, NOAA issues this BAA for extramural research, innovative projects, and sponsorships (e.g., conferences, newsletters, etc.) that address one or more of the following four mission goal descriptions contained in the NOAA Strategic Plan:
- Long-term mission goal: Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
- Long-term mission goal: Weather-Ready Nation
- Long-term mission goal: Healthy Oceans
- Long-term mission goal: Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies
- Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis up to 11:59:59 p.m., EDT on September 30, 2023.
- Project Period: Applications should generally be submitted for a one-year award period, but this may be negotiated if the application is recommended for funding.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF)
Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention Phase I: Development Grants NSF
This solicitation is for Development Grants as part of NSF’s new Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention (PIPP) initiative. This initiative focuses on fundamental research and capabilities needed to tackle grand challenges in infectious disease pandemics through prediction and prevention.
NSF anticipates releasing a Phase II Center Grants solicitation around 2023. Note that submission or award of a Development Grant is not required to participate in the anticipated PIPP Phase II Center Grants competition. The PIPP Phase I initiative intends to support planning activities encompassing (1) articulation of a grand challenge centered around a critical and broad question in pandemic predictive intelligence; (2) proposals of novel conceptual research and technology developments that aim to advance state-of-the-art forecasting, real-time monitoring, mitigation, and prevention of the spread of pathogens; and (3) multidisciplinary team formation.
Successful Phase I proposals must identify an innovative interdisciplinary grand challenge that engages integrated computational, biological, engineering, and social/behavioral approaches to formulate and solve critical problems relating to predictive intelligence for pandemic prevention. PIs of Phase I Development Grants are strongly encouraged to develop research and technical approaches that start to address critical aspects of the identified grand challenge.
NSF’s PIPP activities place great emphasis on high-risk/high-payoff convergent research that has the potential for large societal impact. To that end, prospective principal investigators (PIs) must develop teams and proposals that work across scientific,disciplinary, geographic, and organizational divides, push conceptual boundaries, and build new theoretical framings of the understanding of pandemic predictive intelligence.
- Full proposals due October 1, 2021
- Award amount of $1M for 18 month PIIP Phase 1 Development Grants
NSF Division of Chemistry: Disciplinary Research Programs
This solicitation applies to nine CHE Disciplinary Chemistry Research Programs: Chemical Catalysis (CAT); Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI); Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms-A (CSDM-A); Chemical Structure Dynamics and Mechanisms-B (CSDM-B); Chemical Synthesis (SYN); Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods (CTMC); Chemistry of Life Processes (CLP); Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS); and Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN). All proposals submitted to these nine CHE Disciplinary Research Programs (other than the following exceptions) must be submitted through this solicitation, otherwise they will be returned without review. Exceptions:
- Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) proposals should be submitted through the CAREER solicitation (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503214 ) by the CAREER deadline date specified.
- Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions: Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) proposals should be submitted through the RUI/ROA solicitation (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5518 ) during the window for the appropriate CHE Disciplinary Research Program. In addition to the requirements of the RUI program, proposals should follow the guidance in this solicitation.
- Proposals for Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID), Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE), and conferences can be submitted any time after consultation with the cognizant NSF Program Officer.
- Proposals due September 30, 2021
Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) The Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program supports research centers focused on major, long-term fundamental chemical research challenges. CCIs that address these challenges will produce transformative research, lead to innovation, and attract broad scientific and public interest. CCIs are agile structures that can respond rapidly to emerging opportunities through enhanced collaborations. CCIs integrate research, innovation, education, broadening participation, and informal science communication.
The CCI Program is a two-phase program. Phase I CCIs receive significant resources to develop the science, management and broader impacts of a major research center before requesting Phase II funding. Satisfactory progress in Phase I is required for Phase II applications; Phase I proposals funded in FY 2022 will seek Phase II funding in FY 2025. The FY 2022 Phase II CCI competition is open to projects funded as Phase I awards in FY 2019.
The FY 2022 Phase I CCI competition is open to projects in all fields supported by the Division of Chemistry, and must have scientific focus and the potential for transformative impact in chemistry. The NSF Division of Chemistry particularly encourages fundamental chemistry projects aligned with articulated budget priorities, including Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Climate Research and Sustainability, and Quantum Information Science.
- Preliminary proposals for Phase I due August 23, 2021
- Invited full proposals due February 22, 2022
- An investigator may participate (as PI or Faculty Associate) in only one preliminary proposal and one full proposal (Phase I or Phase II) submitted in response to this solicitation. The PI must be affiliated with an eligible submitting organization.
- No CCI funds may be awarded or subawarded to industry or international organizations.
- Phase I awards up to $1,800,000 over 3 years
- Phase II awards up to $4,000,000 over 5 years
INTERNAL
TAMU Innovation Partners Translational Investment Fund
The goal of this program is to provide an opportunity for Texas A&M University researchers to bridge the common gaps that arise in development of early-stage technologies that have the potential to address a commercial or industrial need and ultimately impact the community, nation, and the world.
Submissions are accepted from current TAMU inventors with a previously filed invention disclosure that has been assigned an invention number, is managed by Innovation Partners, and unlicensed at the time of submission. The subject of the project must be a disclosed invention that has at least completed development through proof-of-concept and is backed by the inventor(s) commitment to taking steps toward commercialization. Successful project proposals will clearly demonstrate a market need for the technology, a reasonable development approach, commercial benefit(s), awareness of existing competition, and feasibility of project scope. For complete eligibility and selection criteria, please review the program guidelines below.
- Letters of Interest due June 28, 2021
- Invitation only full submissions due August 2021
- Investments of up to $75,000 for 1 year
LIMITED SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES
The Division of Research (DOR) identifies limited submission proposal funding opportunities through internet searches, web services and historical opportunities. You may view these opportunities at https://tamu.infoready4.com/#limitedsubmissions. Please be aware that the list is not comprehensive. Anyone who wishes to apply to a limited submission RFP that is not posted on this website should email limitedsubmissions@tamu.edu or call 979.862.2233. The guidelines will be reviewed and an appropriate internal deadline will be established and posted to the website.
| Competition or Event | Internal Submission Deadline | Category |
| Conservation, Food and Health Foundation Grants | 06/07/2021 | Limited Submission |
| NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | 06/07/2021 | Limited Submission |
OTHER NEWS
AgriLife Research Cloud (ARC) Service Center
ARC is a new service center for researchers that offers affordable managed IT services in a simple cost-recovery annual subscription. Software & Applications, Systems & Infrastructure, Grant Consulting, Vendor Management, Training, Policy, Compliance, Risk, and Security – we do it all! Partner with the experts at ARC to meet all your managed IT needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit our website or email us at arc@ag.tamu.edu
Search award records for NSF, NIH and USDA
- NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/
- NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/
- USDA Data Gateway: https://nifa.usda.gov/data
- Opportunities for Students at all Levels. Welcome to Zintellect! This website provides listings of internships, experiential learning opportunities, academic fellowships and scholarships funded by government and private sector organizations. These programs are administered by ORAU and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Visitors to the site may view available opportunities by selecting the Opportunity Catalog. https://www.zintellect.com/
UPCOMING EVENTS
ONGOING – Texas A&M University Libraries Workshops
ONGOING – TAMU institute of Data Science Workshop and seminar Series
ONGOING – NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health
ONGOING – Research America Alliance Member Meetings
ONGOING – Centers of Excellence for Vector-borne Disease spring seminar series
Ongoing – Virtual Seminar Series on Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases |Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Disease
Ongoing – High Performance Research Computing (HPRC) offers short courses
June 7-11 – Spring 2021 NSF Virtual Grants Conference
*NEW* June 8 – DOE Electrifying Our Buildings: Challenges and SOlutions
*NEW* June 9 – NSF Invention to Impact Webinar
*NEW* June 14 – NSF: How to Write a Grant Proposal
June 16 – CPRIT Funding Q&A Session for evidence-based cancer prevention services
June 16 – SARE Producer Grant Webinar Session
*NEW* June 17 – UN Food Systems Summit Independent Dialogues
June 23-24 – DARPA Discover DSO Day
*NEW* June 24 – The Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum (Free CODE: FFAR)
*NEW* June 30 – Building Relationships Between Researchers and Farmers in Sustainable Ag
July 27-28 – Communicating the future: engaging the public in basic science
July August 18 – SARE Producer Grant Webinar Session
November 19 – Save the Date: NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Festival
December 6-9 – 8th national Grazing lands Conference
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