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FirstEnergy Foundation

Supports STEM education, community improvement, and diversity and inclusion programs in FirstEnergy service territories.

Office of Naval Research

Key programmatic objectives of the DoN HBCU/MI Program are achieved through the implementation and performance of three program goals: enhancing the research and educational capabilities of HBCU/MIs in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to the defense mission of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, encouraging cross-institutional, collaborative efforts that explore innovative solutions to naval science and technology (S&T) challenges, and increasing the engagement of students in STEM fields important to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.This particular NOFO aims to enhance the research capacity and research infrastructure for HBCU/MIs. Competitive white papers and invited full proposals submitted to this NOFO must clearly and succinctly describe efforts that advance basic naval-relevant S&T, engage faculty and students in STEM discovery, and expand the research capacity of participant institutions.This announcement is only for research efforts that also promote student/faculty engagement, and expand the institution s research capacity. This announcement is not intended for projects that focus on non-research STEM activities.The technical content of any proposed effort must contribute to the S&T mission and vision of the DoN.DeadlinesWhite Paper Inquiries and Questions-Email: don_hbcufoa@navy.mil09 September 2026 (Wednesday)White Papers must be received no later than18 September 2026 (Friday) at 5:00 PM Eastern TimeApplication Inquiries and Questions04 December 2026 (Friday)

Florida Department of Education

STEM education initiative grants for FL to expand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs in K-12 and postsecondary institutions.

U.S. National Science Foundation

Focus On Recruiting Emerging Climate and Adaptation Scientists and Transformers (FORECAST) seeks to facilitate the transition from status quo graduate career preparation to a student-centered model with a particular emphasis on building entrepreneurial and innovation capacity at emerging research institutions (ERIs). Transformers are scientists ready to tackle the challenges the nation and world are facing due to climate change. This opportunity will adopt the spirit of multiple directives for the research community; for example, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report on Earth System Scienceand the Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education report on Engaged Research. These directives call on the research enterprise to support the building of a robust scientific workforce ready to work with communities in addressing societal challenges. Through convergence research approaches to address societal challenges, the transdisciplinary researchers engaged in FORECAST will foster community resilience and the translation of research outcomes for societal benefits, as well as gain a broader understanding of the governmental context related to these issues. A new generation of scientists trained in "engaged research" will be expected to have a national impact in communities that may be disproportionately affected by climate change impacts. The program will build cohorts of innovative scholars from the full spectrum of diverse talent at emerging research institutions to include groups historically excluded in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Participants, who are senior students in undergraduate programs and students who are in master's degree programs, will be supported through intentional professional development activities. FORECAST participants must be US citizens or permanent residents. FORECAST proposals will fall into three categories: Track 1, Track 2, and FORECAST Planning grants. Track 1 will support one Coordination Hub, to coordinate support for rising seniors from emerging research institutions (ERIs) or historically excluded and underserved groups as part of a national cohort to participate in structured professional development opportunities. Track 2 projects will support cohorts of Master's degree students at ERIs. Mentorship and capacity building should be central to the cohort approach. FORECAST Planning grant proposals will build capacity at ERI institutions and with the appropriate partners to undertake the activities necessary to establish a future FORECAST track 2 cohort.

European Commission - HORIZON

Fostering cooperation and integration between SSH and STEM research and innovation in the EU. Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026. Programme: HORIZON. Keywords: Innovation methodologies, Knowledge management, Project management and coordination, Types of innovation. Open call from the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

OD - NIH Office of the Director

Project Summary The discovery of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and the development of genetic tools for cell type-specific manipulation, lineage tracing, and functional analysis have elevated the mouse to a foundational role in biomedical research. However, limitations inherent to mice prevent them from serving as “universal” models. Large animal “bridge” models, such as pigs that share a close similarity in size, anatomy, and physiology with humans, combined with the feasibility of genetic engineering (GE), offer a transformative alternative. These attributes make pigs uniquely suited for xenotransplantation research and for modeling chronic diseases that account for over 90% of the $4.1 trillion annual U.S. healthcare costs. Despite this potential, the utility and broad adoption of pigs have been limited by the lack of authentic ESCs that enable iterative, complex genetic modifications required for generating Cre-driver and Cre-responder lines, developing sophisticated models for disease research, and for xenotransplantation. This R24 resource proposal aims to close this critical gap through three Specific Aims: • Aim 1: Validate a site-specific serine recombinase-based porcine embryonic stem cell (pESC) platform. A landing pad compatible with Bxb1, PA01, and KP03 recombinases has been integrated into the pROSA26 safe harbor locus, enabling the scalable and seamless insertion of large transgenes. As a proof-of-concept, we will generate three pESC-derived pig models of increasing complexity: (i) a dual fluorescent/PET reporter (~5 kb) for lineage tracing, non-invasive imaging, and conditional ablation; (ii) an ~20 kb transgene designed to overcome innate immune barriers to xenotransplantation; and (iii) a human cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) BAC (~50 kb) to model human lipid metabolism. • Aim 2: Generate and characterize lineage-specific, tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 driver lines targeting alveolar cells, cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, enterocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic β-cells, chosen for their relevance to vascular biology, metabolism, and xenotransplantation. Additional drivers will be developed in response to community needs. • Aim 3: Implement transparent prioritization, access, and resource sharing via the National Swine Resource and Research Center (NSRRC), supported by standardized MTAs, cost-recovery mechanisms, and community outreach. In summary, this project will deliver: (i) the first standardized pESC-based GE platform for pigs, (ii) a suite of lineage-specific, temporally inducible Cre-driver lines, and (iii) a transparent distribution framework to ensure broad access. By filling critical infrastructure gaps and ensuring rigorous validation and dissemination, this proposal aims to transform the utility of pigs as a genetically tractable model for biomedical research.

Hunger Intervention

Hunger Intervention Program (HIP) is partnering with Lake City Farmers Market to offer free, fun activities for children. These include arts and crafts, science exhibits, and other STEM activities. In addition, HIP will also offer cooking demos and nutrition tips at the farmers' market to showcase fresh, seasonal produce from the market. The activities are in conjunction with HIP's Summer Meals program, which addresses food insecurity and promotes healthy eating for children under the age of 18 who are at risk of going hungry when schools are closed for the summer. This year, HIP is serving summer meals at twelve locations, including the Lake City Farmers Market, which runs once a week on Thursdays. This funding request is specifically for activities at the Lake City Farmers Market for the month of August, September, and October (up to ten market days). This funding will not be used for the summer meals program.

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

1 PROJECT SUMMARY and ABSTRACT 2 Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) cures hematologic malignancies, but infection-related mortality 3 remains high, with bloodstream infections (BSIs) accounting for up to one-quarter of deaths in the first year. 4 Enterobacterales translocation from the gut is the primary source of these infections. While antibiotic (ABX) 5 prophylaxis reduces BSI risk, incomplete clearance of potential pathogens in the gut allows susceptible strains 6 to persist and acquire AMR under ongoing pressure, further limiting ABX effectiveness. Gut Enterobacterales 7 often persist despite in vitro susceptibility, suggesting a survival mechanism beyond resistance that remains 8 underexplored. 9 We hypothesize that antibiotic tolerance—the ability of bacteria to survive lethal antibiotic concentrations without 10 a change in minimum inhibitory concentration—is the key driver of Enterobacterales persistence in the gut and 11 a precursor to AMR. Preliminary data show that gut-resident E. coli and K. pneumoniae persist in almost two- 12 thirds of HCT patients despite antibiotic use and that tolerance levels rise during ABX and decrease after 13 withdrawal. We find that recurrent mutations in tolerance loci such as relA, hipA, and ptsI occur during ABX 14 treatment, and that tolerant strains acquire resistance more rapidly under antibiotic pressure in vitro. 15 To test this hypothesis, we will combine culture-based and genomic approaches across two large HCT cohorts. 16 In Aim 1 we will selectively culture E. coli and K. pneumoniae from stool samples and quantify tolerance using 17 high-throughput screening (TD test) and standardized time-kill assays with multiple antibiotics to measure both 18 isolate- and population-level survival. In Aim 2 we will identify genetic determinants of tolerance by sequencing 19 paired stool metagenomes and isolates, tracking the emergence of single-nucleotide variants in known 20 tolerance genes, and performing bacterial genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to discover novel loci. 21 Candidate genes will be validated through plasmid complementation and functional assays. In Aim 3 we will 22 link tolerance to clinical outcomes by integrating stool and bloodstream isolate sequencing with longitudinal 23 antibiotic exposure data in order to determine whether tolerant strains predict BSIs and accelerate acquisition 24 of phenotypic or genotypic AMR. 25 This project will be the first to investigate the reservoir of antibiotic tolerance in the human gut microbiome of 26 immunocompromised patients. Using complementary microbiology and isolate/stool genomics, we will directly 27 link in vivo tolerance phenotypes to genetic mechanisms and clinical outcomes. Establishing how tolerance 28 enables Enterobacterales to persist in the gut, seed bloodstream infections, and accelerate resistance in HCT 29 patients likely has impact for other vulnerable groups. By identifying tolerance as a critical determinant of infection 30 and AMR risk this work will identify novel strategies in overcoming tolerance to improve pathogen clearance, limit 31 multidrug-resistant transmission, and reduce infection-related mortality in immunocompromised patients.

NIA - National Institute on Aging

PROJECT SUMMARY Maintaining healthy adipose tissue function is essential for metabolic homeostasis and the prevention of metabolic diseases. As potent endocrine cells, adipocytes secret various bioactive molecules and extracellular vesicles that influence the function of tissues and organs throughout the body. Besides adipocytes, multipotent stem and progenitor cells in adipose tissue are crucial for tissue maintenance and repair throughout life. With aging, adipose tissue undergoes species-conserved changes, including decreased subcutaneous adiposity, increased visceral adiposity, and a decline in the thermogenic capacity of brown and beige adipose tissue. In contrast to the detrimental effects of adipocyte hypertrophy, hyperplasia, a process known as adipogenesis, supports tissue development, repair, and metabolic health. However, adipogenesis is impaired during aging, which has been linked to adipose progenitor cell senescence, potentially contributing to the development of metabolic diseases. Recent studies indicate that extracellular vehicles (EVs), particularly adipocyte-derived EVs (Ad-EVs) play a role in intercellular communication within adipose tissue, regulating its function. Ad-EVs exhibit heterogeneity, with large and small Ad-EVs differing in protein and lipid composition, suggesting functional diversity. However, the specific subtypes of Ad-EVs secreted by adipocytes and their distinct roles in local and systemic metabolic regulation remain unexplored. Our preliminary studies indicate that Lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a novel phosphatidic acid (PA) binding protein, plays a potential role in senescence and adipogenesis of adipose stem and progenitor cells (ASPCs) through EV-mediated intercellular communication. Lcn2 deficiency impairs adipogenesis and results in hypertrophic obesity. Stromal- vascular (SV) cells from the brown and white adipose tissue of Lcn2 knockout mice exhibit increased senescence and decreased adipogenesis. Importantly, we have identified LCN2 in a distinct subpopulation of Ad-EVs that is separate from adiponectin-containing Ad-EVs. In this proposal, we aim to characterize the cargo composition and function of LCN2-containing EVs (LCN2+EVs) released from adipocytes, examining their role in ASPC senescence and adipogenesis during aging. We hypothesize that adipocyte-derived LCN2+EVs possess anti-senescence properties that maintain ASPC health and adipogenic capacity through adipocyte-to-ASPC communication within adipose tissue, and this effect is context-dependent. We propose two aims to characterize the cargo composition of LCN2+EVs released from adipocytes upon metabolic and inflammatory stress, and 2) determine the role of adipocyte-derived LCN2+EVs in ASPC senescence and adipogenesis during aging. The project outcomes are expect to provide new perspectives on the pathogenesis of aging-related metabolic disorders and pave the way for developing new therapeutic strategies targeting adipose tissue function.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

PROJECT SUMMARY Somatic mosaicism, the genomic differences among the billions of cells in the human brain, may explain the incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity in highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorders. Thousands of clonal somatic mosaic variants (SMVs) in subpopulations of neurons have been discovered in brains of schizophrenia and autism patients, necessitating an urgent, unmet demand to determine if these diverse somatic mutations have a causal role in disease. Major challenges include (1) the inability of using conventional statistical methods for common variants to associate disease status with risk variant, (2) the vast space of non-coding candidates with unknown function, and (3) the unresolved relevant cell types and developmental stages linking mutations to phenotypes. Just as integrating high-throughput genomic-, CRISPR, and stem cell-based technologies resulted in significant progress in understanding germline risk variants, they represent a novel approach to uniquely address the major challenges in the field of somatic mosaicism. As a co-mentored computational and experimental biologist, I will leverage state-of-the-art functional genomic technologies and bioinformatic pipelines to systematically characterize all brain non-coding SMVs discovered to date, resolving their causal roles in neurodevelopmental disorders. From all SMVs identified in case and control brains, I will first create a functional catalog of expression-modulated SMVs in a developmental- and cell-type-specific manner by applying massively parallel reporter assays in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and post-mitotic neurons. By doing so, I will be able to interrogate whether differences in patterns of expression-modulated SMVs exist between cases and controls. Second, I will compare the somatic and germline genetic architectures across neurodevelopmental disorders, determining whether somatic mutations act via the same pathways as germline mutations, or affect genes relevant to diseases, indicating a causal role. By simultaneously uncovering the downstream transcriptomic profiles of hundreds of regulatory elements harboring SMVs with CRISPR screen, I will be able to pinpoint putative disease-causal SMVs. Finally, I will validate the phenotypic impact of putative causal SMVs in physiologically complex and relevant models including 3D brain organoids and “mosaicism-in-a-dish”, testing both cell-autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms of SMVs. Overall, this work, representing a novel application of scalable functional genomic technologies to SMVs, provides a framework to identify SMVs with putative causal effects in neurodevelopmental diseases, advancing our understanding of a poorly understood disease mechanism. This fellowship will provide me with training encompassing computational genomics, stem cell models and broadly applicable phenotyping techniques, setting a foundation for me to launch an independent research program distinct from my mentors', querying somatic mosaicism's impact into novel cell types, contexts and diseases towards discovering novel therapeutic targets.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Orofacial cleft (OFC, primarily cleft lip and/or cleft palate) is a relatively common structural birth defect with environmental and genetic contributions to etiology. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) and linkage studies have identified many gene variants, most in non-coding DNA, that are associated with elevated risk for isolated OFC. However, our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying this disease remains poor because, one, only a fraction of the heritable risk lies is derived from common variants, two, we have yet to distinguish the non- coding variants that directly influence risk for OFC (i.e., causal or functional variants) from those that are merely in linkage disequilibrium with them, three, it has never been directly shown that a common variant can affect the gross phenotype of an embryo. In Aim 1 we will conduct statistical analyses to identify de novo non-coding mutations that are likely to be functional. In Aim 2 we propose to identify the OFC-associated SNPs that are functional by filtering them against enhancer marks, testing them for allele-specific effects in reporter assays in vitro, and finally by engineering them singly or in combination into induced pluriopotent stem cells, differentiating the cells in to embryonic oral epithelium, and assessing allele-specific effects on gene expression and transcription factor binding. In Aim 3, we will engineer the genome of mouse strains that are genetically predisposed to cleft lip, cleft plate, or both, to be homozygous for risk or non-risk alleles of proven functional SNPs that are conserved in mice and humans, expecting the risk allele to increase the penetrance or expressivity of the cleft phenotype. The expected outcome of the proposed experiments is identification of the mechanisms by which genetic risk variants cause a common birth defect.

NCI - National Cancer Institute

PROJECT SUMMARY Trained immunity is a process that is activated in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in response to inflammatory stimuli such as severe infection and cancer. Evidence has now shown that following the resolution of inflammation, HSPCs maintain an altered epigenetic program over time. This process, termed “trained immunity” is a type of epigenetic memory that can result in robust immune responses to subsequent inflammatory challenges. Despite growing evidence of its importance in regulating responses to inflammation, the cellular players and molecular pathways involved in controlling the epigenetic responses that lead to trained immunity are poorly understood. In preliminary studies, we performed scRNA-seq in sorted bone marrow immune cells following challenge with β-glucan, a stimulus which induces trained immunity and robust secondary protection against tumor challenge. This analysis identified a population of bone marrow ILC2s that upregulated cytokine expression following β-glucan challenge, suggesting these cells may play a key role in trained immunity. Strikingly, depletion of ILC2s abolished the protective phenotype of β-glucan in tumor challenge, confirming that ILC2s play an important role in this system. Based on this data, we propose that ILC2s play a critical role in the establishment of trained immunity. While ILC2s were not found within the tumor, they regulated neutrophil differentiation in the tumor microenvironment, blocking acquisition of a pro-tumor phenotype, and maintaining an anti-tumor phenotype. However, how neutrophils are functionally altered by ILC2s in β-glucan training and which of these functions culminates in protection from tumor challenge is not known. Further, whether ILC2s modulate responses in monocytes and macrophages or respond to additional proinflammatory microbial ligands to initiate trained immunity has not been studied. Here we interrogate these questions by (i) defining the functional alterations dependent on ILC2s in tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells in trained immunity; (ii) determining the epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms in bone marrow progenitors and mature neutrophils in trained immunity; and (iii) interrogation of the gene expression pathways regulated in ILC2s by inflammatory challenges. Altogether, completion of these studies will fundamentally advance our understanding of the regulation of trained immunity. Furthermore, as trained immunity is actively investigated as an intervention in the clinic, modulation of the ILC2-neutrophil pathway could be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. Completion of these studies will establish the groundwork for future efforts to identify key cellular and molecular pathways involved in regulating trained immunity in vivo. Finally, while we considered alternatives to animal models for this work, trained immunity involves integrated multiorgan processes, such as activation of ILC2s, reprogramming of HSPCs in the bone marrow, and skewing of neutrophil responses in the tumor microenvironment, all of which depend on intact systemic physiology and cellular crosstalk that cannot be recapitulated in vitro, necessitating the use of animal models in our studies.

NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

PROJECT SUMMARY Building a nervous system requires both the specification and maturation of diverse neuron types. Most post-mitotic neurons are specified during embryonic development, but their synaptic connections and electrophysiological properties continue to mature during postnatal life. Compared to our understanding of embryonic neuronal specification, the regulatory mechanisms that orchestrate functional maturation of neurons in postnatal life remain poorly understood. The goal of this proposal is to fill this gap in our understanding of skeletal motor neurons. Skeletal motor neurons innervate muscles throughout the body to control movement throughout life. To accomplish this, adult skeletal motor neurons are found in three subtypes: alpha, gamma, and type3/beta, which have different morphology, electrophysiological properties, and circuit components. Importantly, these subtypes also show differential susceptibility to degeneration in the lethal disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): alpha motor neurons die, gammas survive, and the fate of type3/betas is not known. Despite the fact that embryonic motor neuron development has been intensely studied for many years now, we do not understand how these functionally important and disease relevant adult subtypes are generated. In this proposal, we aim to fill this gap by utilizing novel single nuclei sequencing datasets and subtype-specific AAV tools that we have generated. By performing single nuclei RNA- and ATAC-sequencing on mouse motor neurons from embryonic, neonatal, juvenile and adult stages, we have found that adult alpha, gamma, and type3 subtype identities are established during the process of maturation. We have also identified candidate regulators that include subtype-specific, activity-independent transcription factors, and shared, activity- dependent transcription factors. In Aim 1 of this proposal, we will delineate the temporal maturation trajectory of all three subtypes by performing RNA-FISH against temporally activated genes. We will also use subtype- specific enhancer-AAV reporters to determine when subtype-specific muscle innervation patterns are established. In Aim 2, we will functionally interrogate the role of subtype-specific transcription factors in controlling mature gene expression, muscle innervation patterns, and motor behaviors. In Aim 3, we will functionally test the role of neural activity in controlling maturation of all subtypes. We will also map the binding profiles of subtype-specific and activity-dependent transcription factors to understand how they work together to generate mature and functionally distinct subtype identities. This work will lead to a ground-breaking understanding of adult motor neuron development, identify molecular and functional differences between disease relevant cell types, and inform methods to generate adult-like motor neurons from stem cells. The conceptual advances and AAV tools generated by this study will lead to improvements in treating diseases like ALS and spinal cord injury.

Economic Development Administration

Pursuant to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 111-212, 124 Stat. 2302 (2010), EDA announces general policies and application procedures for the FY 2010 Gulf Oil Spill Supplemental Federal Funding Opportunity. This investment assistance will be made available to help devise and implement short or long-term economic redevelopment strategies and for technical assistance activities to address economic development challenges in regions impacted by the discharge of oil stemming from the April 20, 2010, BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program can offer a wide range of technical, planning, or infrastructure assistance. See 13 C.F.R. 307.3. This program is designed to respond adaptively to pressing economic recovery issues, and is well suited to help address the challenges faced by regions affected by the April 2010 oil spill. Note however, in order to maximize available funding, EDA will consider applications for planning or technical assistance only. That is, no awards will be made under this competitive solicitation for infrastructure improvements or revolving loan fund grants. For purposes of this competition and subject to the availability of funds, EDA will make planning or technical assistance awards that, for example, demonstrate the capacity to support economic recovery by fostering the development of short or long-term economic recovery plans; conduct gap analysis that can identify opportunities for strengthening regional competitiveness; examine opportunities for expanding commercialization programs; or strengthen regional efforts to encourage business expansion and creation efforts. In addition, EDA invites applications to address problems on a larger regional, or multi-State basis, both with respect to the development of a macro-economic analysis of the Gulf Coast region, or the development of a business retention and expansion program for the Gulf region. EDA will administer the Gulf Oil Spill Assistance among its Atlanta and Austin regional offices, which together cover the areas that have felt the greatest impact of the oil spill, specifically the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Texas. Please see the FFO, linked below, for more information.

NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

PROJECT SUMMARY Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, causing insulin deficiency and elevated blood glucose levels. Strategies that replace lost beta cells could restore autonomous glucose control in T1D and are in high demand. Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) also experience major beta cell loss due to beta cell exhaustion, glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity. Still, there are currently no therapeutic approaches to replace beta cells for people with diabetes. Our long-term goal is to identify durable targets to expand beta cell mass to treat diabetes. The rationale for this project stems from transcriptomic analysis of mouse pancreatic islets during profound beta cell mass expansion that revealed upregulated genes highly enriched with binding sites for the transcription factor GA-binding protein (GABP). Previous studies in other cell types demonstrated GABP is required for mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and cell division1-6. These cellular functions are essential to generate ATP and synthesize key molecular building blocks to support cell division7. Nutrient3 and mitogenic8 signals also converge on GABP, providing further evidence that GABP is a rate limiting transcription factor that responds to increased metabolic demand to ensure cellular energy homeostasis and promote cell division. However, the role of GABP in beta cells is unknown. The goal of this proposal is to define the role of GABP in pancreatic beta cells. To understand the role of GABP in beta cells, we targeted the DNA- binding subunit of GABP (GABPa) to generate beta cell specific Gabpa knockout mice (Ins1-Cre;Gabpa-fl/fl; Gabpabeta-KO) and littermate controls. Unexpectedly, Gabpabeta-KO mice developed polyuria and hyperglycemia, corresponding with reduced serum insulin levels, within the first 2-3 months of life. Pancreatic tissue analysis revealed a dramatic loss of beta cells in Gabpabeta-KO mice at 6 weeks of age compared to controls, likely underlying reduced serum insulin and hyperglycemia. Interestingly, at 3 weeks of age, beta cells were abundant, suggesting a sudden increase in beta cell death soon after weaning. These findings indicate that GABP may play a key role in beta cell survival and turnover in early life. Several studies suggest that beta cell death in diabetes is driven by mitochondrial oxidative stress and dysfunction through cytochrome c release and initiation of caspase-induced apoptosis9-11. GABP is required for mitochondrial function and bioenergetic homeostasis, suggesting that loss of GABP impairs mitochondrial function leading to beta cell death. My central hypothesis is that GABP regulates mitochondrial metabolism to maintain beta cell homeostasis and survival. This hypothesis will be tested using three specific aims: 1) Define the role of GABP in mouse beta cells; 2) Define the role of GABP in human beta cells; 3) Determine the molecular mechanisms of GABP to regulate beta cell mitochondria function. The proposed research is significant, as it will uncover a novel transcriptional mechanism involving GABP regulation of beta cell mitochondrial function integral to cellular energy homeostasis and survival. These findings will direct new therapies to preserve and expand beta cell mass for people with diabetes.

NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Project Summary/Abstract: This application requests travel support for early-career investigators, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows to attend the FASEB Scientific Research Conference “GI Tract XXII: Molecular and Cellular Advances Towards Discovery and Treatment,” to be held August 30–September 3, 2026, in Snowbird, Utah. The meeting is designed to prepare the next generation of researchers focused on GI health and disease and developing new treatments. The organizers include investigators funded by NIDDK that share a commitment to advancing innovative science that improves digestive health. The FASEB GI conference series has been held biennially since 1985, supporting idea exchange, collaboration, and mentoring within the GI research community. The field has advanced rapidly with breakthroughs in multi-omics, organoid systems, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, stem cell biology, and new therapeutics, and leaders in these areas will serve as keynote and session speakers. A core goal of the meeting is to intentionally include early-career researchers, providing them with oral and poster presentation opportunities, structured career development and networking sessions, and workshops designed to enhance rigor and reproducibility across NIDDK-funded studies. To ensure broad participation, we seek funding to offset travel costs for trainees and early-career investigators. While virtual platforms have expanded opportunities for cross-institutional collaboration, in-person scientific conferences remain essential for initiating new collaborations, fostering mentorship, and strengthening community bonds within the GI research field. As organizers representing both MD and PhD scientists, we are committed to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting the next generation of digestive disease researchers.

NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

PROJECT SUMMARY Despite the advances that have been made in the management type 1 diabetes (T1D), exogenous insulin administration with regular monitoring remains the primary treatment for T1D. Imprecise glucose control, which is commonplace, can lead to serious or even fatal complications. Consequently, the social and economic burden of T1D is substantial. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived (hSC) islet therapy has the potential to reduce these costs by providing a one-time, curative treatment that eliminates the need for continuous disease management. In response to NOSI NOT-AI-24-085, which calls for the development of somatic cell gene editing (SCGE) technologies to improve transplantation outcomes, we propose a multidisciplinary strategy to endow stem cell- derived islets (SC-islets) with graft context-based immune evasion, guided by real-time in vivo environment sensing and stimulus-responsive genetic rewiring. Our approach leverages prime editing, integrase-mediated DNA insertion, and machine learning-designed cis-regulatory elements (CREs) to reprogram endogenous loci to achieve these goals. We have assembled a multidisciplinary team, including leaders in T1D biology and stem cell models, genome engineering technologies, and computational genomics. In Aim 1, we will engineer molecular reporters in hiPSC lines to enable real-time, non-invasive monitoring of SC-islet graft inflammation, viability, and functional mass. We will leverage twin prime editing and optimized Bxb1 integrase technology to site-specifically integrate reporters quantifying β cell biomass, stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. We will validate these tools in vitro, and in vivo in humanized NSG MHC-DKO mice in the context of allorejection to establish a framework for high-resolution, longitudinal graft assessment in the context of inflammation and alloimmune attack. In Aim 2, we will rewire regulator elements within the endogenous CD47 locus to enable constitutive immunocloaking in SC-islets. We will design islet-specific synthetic enhancers using computational deep learning (Ledidi) and prime editing CRE interrogation approaches to achieve high levels of CD47 expression in β cells. These engineered SC-islets will be validated for protection in vitro against NK and T cell cytotoxicity, and in vivo in a PBMC-engrafted NSG MHC-DKO allorejection mouse model. In Aim 3, we will rewire the IL10 locus for inflammation-responsive immunosuppression. We will write cytokine-inducible regulatory elements into the regulatory logic of the endogenous IL10 locus to create inflammation adaptive SC-islets that secrete IL10 only in inflamed microenvironments, avoiding systemic effects. Functional assays will assess response kinetics and dynamic range of IL10 expression in response to inflammatory stimuli in vitro, and immunomodulatory capacity in vivo in alloresponse assays. Upon completion, this project will generate genetically engineered, immune-aware SC-islets with dynamic responsiveness to their environment, addressing a central challenge in β cell replacement therapy. If successful, these principles can be applied to other off-the- shelf cellular products to enhance safety, efficacy, and regulatory control of immunomodulation systems.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

ABSTRACT Infertility remains a global public health challenge, with early developmental failure accounting for a significant proportion of unsuccessful pregnancies. Among the critical processes governing early developmental competence, RNA splicing plays a central role by coordinating transcriptional output, shaping chromatin architecture, and influencing protein synthesis. Yet the mechanisms by which splicing governs these multilayered regulatory systems during the earliest stages of development remain poorly defined. This research investigates the multilayered consequences of splicing dysfunction in an in vitro model of early human development, focusing on how disruptions in RNA processing alter structural genome organization and the regulation of gene expression. Through integrative transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic profiling of cells in vitro, I aim to define how splicing inhibition alters polymerase activity, chromatin architecture, and gene translation. A key objective is to identify the cascade of molecular events—across nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments—that links shifts in RNA splicing efficiency to cell potential. By examining these mechanisms, this project will reveal how splicing regulation safeguards developmental trajectories. Ultimately, this work will advance fundamental knowledge of gene regulation in early development and illuminate molecular mechanisms underlying infertility. These findings hold long-term promise for improving diagnostic strategies and public health interventions aimed at reducing the burden of reproductive failure.

General Motors Foundation

Supports STEM education, community development, and vehicle safety programs in communities where GM operates.

Georgia Department of Education

Georgia's STEM Education grants support K-12 schools and districts implementing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education initiatives, including robotics programs, computer science, and STEM-focused instructional strategies.

Georgia Department of Education

STEM education initiative grants for GA to expand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs in K-12 and postsecondary institutions.

U.S. National Science Foundation

The World is facing all minds needed problems, but due to historical systemic structures, all minds have not been fully engaged. Recent research shows that science scholars who are underrepresented in STEM produce higher rates of scientific novelty, yet they do not persist in the systems where the innovation is created (Hofstra et al. 2020). Because the geosciences continue to lag other STEM fields in creating a diverse community of researchers, scholars, and practitioners, disruptive strategies and evidence-based practices are needed to recruit and specifically retain individuals who historically have not been included in geoscience education, research and careers. The National Science Foundation s (NSF) Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) seeks to support activities that will develop unique approaches or bring to scale current efforts to increase and sustain the inclusion of individuals from diverse backgrounds in the geoscience education and research community. Proposals that will address elements in the following two areas are encouraged: Professional Development. GEO encourages projects that will develop efforts and training that focus on the creation of BAJEDI (Belonging Accessibility Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion) leaders through scaling of model professional development (PD) programs, identifying barriers that exist within academia and/or the geosciences that prevent the development of diversity champions, and the employment of strategies that will create and sustain cohorts of diversity leaders to maximize collective impact in the geoscience ecosystem. Examples of focus areas for PD centered proposals could include: 1) training in BAJEDI for graduate students and postdocs who will soon be on the job market, 2) creation of curriculum and standards for safe, equitable and inclusive education and research practices, 3) development of guidance that would assist geoscience academic and research units in developing or implementing BAJEDI plans, and 4) identification and fostering of practices related to the valuation of BAJEDI leaders and their activities in institutional promotion systems. Geoscience Capacity Building at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). With the recognition that Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) operate with intentionality and holistic support of students (NASEM 2019), GEO also welcomes proposals that envision new efforts to create educational or degree granting geoscience programs at MSIs or scale existing geoscience programs into graduate programs at MSIs with the following elements in mind: Consideration of the necessary steps to create or scale an educational or degree granting geoscience program through partnerships and collaborations, with an emphasis on collaborative infrastructure as defined under the NSF INCLUDES Program. Development of pilot bridge programs (high school to undergraduate, undergraduate to graduate and graduate to workforce) to grow the pool of potential geoscience program majors at MSIs and prepare them to be geoscience professionals. Identification and reduction of barriers (e.g., grants infrastructure or institutional policies) that may hinder the creation and sustainability of educational and degree granting geoscience programs at MSIs. Creation of a coordinating unit to assist in supporting or building grants management infrastructure at MSIs. When developing proposals, the PI team should acknowledge the need for increased engagement from social and behavioral science experts to address issues related to BAJEDI in the geosciences and include these best practices and experts in proposed projects. Proposals could also focus on the dissemination of information on lessons learned from related activities (e.g., GOLD, NSF INCLUDES National Network, etc.) to the geoscience community, and encourage new opportunities for collaboration in the community and across other NSF Broadening Participation Programs. Review Information Competitive funding requests will explicitly describe and demonstrate their alignment and/or connections to the mission and goals of NSF s GOLD Program. Failure to sufficiently demonstrate relevancy to these Programs will result in the funding request being declined.

National Park Service

This program model encourages preservation of public lands through education and stewardship activities. Girl Scout engagement with educational and volunteer-service activities is important for the immediate and future preservation of public lands. The Girl Scout Ranger Program creates opportunities for Girl Scouts to become natural environmental leaders by applying their learning to national parks. This partnership between NPS and GSUSA is a vehicle that will create a pathway for Girl Scouts to experience public land management through field-based learning and exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers related to natural resource management, thereby helping to create a land ethic and cultivating environmental stewardship.

NASA Langley Research Center

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) is releasing a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) soliciting proposals for "Global Climate Change Education (GCCE): Research Experiences, Modeling and Data". The objective of the effort is to extend the results of NASA s Earth Science Program to the education community by sponsoring unique and stimulating opportunities for global climate and Earth system science education. GCCE is designed to improve the quality of the Nation s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and enhance students and teachers literacy about global climate and Earth system change from elementary grades to life-long learners. Each funded proposal is expected to make use of NASA s unique contributions in climate science to enhance learners' academic experiences and/or to improve educators abilities to engage their students. The GCCE project will consider proposals in the following two funding categories: (1) Funding Category R: Global Climate Change Science Research Experiences for Undergraduate or Community College Students and Pre- or In-Service Teachers including those in nontraditional teacher licensure programs; (2) Funding Category D/M: Using NASA Earth system data, interactive models and/or simulations to Strengthen Teaching and Learning about Global Climate Change. The anticipated total amount of funding available for new awards under this solicitation is approximately $8 million. Projects may be proposed for durations of up to 3 years. It is anticipated that approximately 20 - 25 awards will be issued. Participation is open to the following categories of U.S organizations: higher educational institutions, state, local or federally-recognized tribal government agencies, public school districts, nonprofit institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU), as well as other minority-serving education al institutions. Notices of intent (NOIs) are strongly encouraged and are to be submitted electronically through NSPIRES at http://nspires.nasaprs.com . Potential offerors are responsible for downloading the CAN and amendments (if any). This solicitation leading to the award of a Cooperative Agreement is issued pursuant to title 14 CFR Part 1260 for educational and nonprofit institutions. Additional questions regarding the solicitation and programmatic information can be obtained from: Dr Lin Chambers, Global Climate Change Education Project Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center, gcce-questions@lists.nasa.gov