Search Grants — Free, No Account Required

NCATS - National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Background: This K12 application is a required companion of the UMass CTSA (UM1) application. We build on the strengths of our KL2 program, which has trained 27 scholars since its inception in 2010. Collectively, they have published 978 peer-reviewed publications and garnered $339 million as PIs in extramural funding, with all remaining in research-intensive careers. Goal and rationale: The overall goal of our new K12 Program is to develop the careers of scientists who will drive the agenda of accelerating the translational process and changing paradigms in translational science (TS). Our program is designed to develop scholars with the 7 fundamental characteristics of a translational scientist, and they will also become skilled in the 8 Scientific and Operational TS Principles. We will recruit scholars and have faculty from all 5 campuses of the University of Massachusetts and its three clinical partners. Thus, we will equip our scholars with the tools to address major challenges facing the TS workforce, specifically, its currently siloed nature and its lack of sociodemographic and scientific diversity. Methods: There will be 4 NCATS-supported scholars at any given time, who will form the core of our umbrella K program, which will use institutional funds to support another 3 diversity scholars plus another 2 supported by our clinical partners, for a steady state of 9. All 9 scholars will follow the same career development approach, with the difference being only in the source (not the amount) of funding and support. Scholars will be junior faculty (typically assistant professors) with health-related scientific interests, though not necessarily clinicians. We will rely heavily on structured transdisciplinary team mentoring with mentoring contracts and individual development plans (IDPs). IDPs will provide the compass to tailor career development plans to the needs and scientific passion of each scholar. Scholars will participate in a combination of experiential and didactic experiences and be offered the choice of one of 6 scientific pathways. There will be a required core curriculum that includes, among others, data science, translational science, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Scholars will be supported by the K12 for 2 years and expected to submit an external NIH K individual career development or R-level award by the end of the 2nd year. The scholar's department chair will commit to a 3rd year of funding if the application is competitive but not funded on 1st submission. We have developed a metrics-driven evaluation for our K12 Program based on our logic model and built in feedback loops. We will collect short- intermediate-, and long-term (15 year) outcomes. Summary: Our K12 program is designed to:1) Include mentors and scholars across the translational spectrum; 2) Use a transdisciplinary team mentoring model; 3) Offer a flexible educational platform designed to achieve NCATS competency standards for TS; 4) Use IDPs that nurture the 7 fundamental characteristics of a translational scientist; and 5) Enhance institutional values of collective creativity and collaboration.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production

<p>This announcement supports Executive Order 14276, Restoring America’s Seafood Competitiveness, by soliciting projects that support: workforce development for marine-related professions in marine science, aquaculture/mariculture, and maritime operations; enhancing seafood safety and management through training in seafood best practices, marketing, and fishery management; technological innovation in fishing practices; outreach and education for consumers on quality and sustainability of wild caught fish or products farmed through aquaculture/mariculture; enhanced regionally-specific management of fishery resources based on local knowledge; and strengthening the seafood supply chain through partnerships with industry, researchers, and community organizations to build relationships that increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the marine community in Alaska. Proposed projects must be conducted in Alaska.&nbsp;</p>

DOC NOAA - ERA Production

This announcement supports Executive Order 14276, Restoring America s Seafood Competitiveness, by soliciting projects that support: workforce development for marine-related professions in marine science, aquaculture/mariculture, and maritime operations; enhancing seafood safety and management through training in seafood best practices, marketing, and fishery management; technological innovation in fishing practices; outreach and education for consumers on quality and sustainability of wild caught fish or products farmed through aquaculture/mariculture; enhanced regionally-specific management of fishery resources based on local knowledge; and strengthening the seafood supply chain through partnerships with industry, researchers, and community organizations to build relationships that increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the marine community in Alaska. Proposed projects must be conducted in Alaska.

NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

2026 American Urological Association Early-Career Investigators Workshop Project Summary/Abstract The 2026 American Urological Association (AUA) Early-Career Investigator Workshop (ECIW) will be held Fall 2026, at the AUA Headquarters in Linthicum, Maryland. The workshop will provide intense, individualized instruction for a group of thirty promising early-career MD (or equivalent) surgeon-investigators and PhD scientists preparing for careers in urologic-disease focused research. Eligibility is inclusive of clinical urology sub-specialty fellows, post-doctoral research fellows, and early-career faculty. Applicants will be selected by a peer review process. In response to past participant data trends, ECIW will also accept exceptionally qualified ACGME residents training in urology and PhD candidate applicants in 2026. Participants will be assigned into the Early or Advanced Tracks to experience an optimized curriculum based on research experience and expected timeline for federal career development or independent investigator research grant submission. Participants will receive instruction in preparation of innovative and competitive research grant proposals, primarily to the NIH with emphasis on grants focused on urologic diseases. All attendees will be appropriately and thoughtfully paired with a faculty mentor. ECIW Course Directors (n= 2) and Program Faculty (n=6) serve as hands-on research proposal development mentors, didactic lecture speakers, and interactive session proctors throughout the entire five-part hybrid virtual and in-person curriculum. These individuals were carefully selected to ensure an exemplary record in achieving ongoing, independent NIH research funding. Collectively, this group (n = 8) has achieved past and current support totaling over $55,000,000 in federal grant funding as PI or Co-PI throughout their research careers to date. The 2026 ECIW workshop consists of five parts conducted over a period of approximately 3 months: 1) Pre-requisite video modules reviewing research fundamentals (new addition implemented in 2025) 2) Ongoing, regular virtual mentorship meetings with assigned mentor/mentee pairs throughout the curriculum 3) Virtual Specific Aims Webinar (new addition implemented in 2025) 4) Virtual Grant Funding Mechanisms Webinar 5) 1.5-day in-person Workshop at AUA Headquarters including mock peer review study session, full cohort to small group instruction, investigator networking, and final mentee research presentations Held annually since 2012, ECIW has produced several program graduates who have joined the urologic research workforce as funded investigators. The graduates of the 2018-2023 program cohorts (n=173) have been awarded over $24 million of active NIH and other federal research funding as Principal Investigator or Co- Principal Investigator to date.

NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

Project Summary The 2026 Atomically Precise Nanochemistry Gordon Research Conference (GRC) will bridge the fundamental chemistry and emerging applications of nanomaterials whose structures and properties are tailored to atomic precision. This meeting’s goal is to catalyze the translation of fundamental science into technological advancements by bringing leaders in nanomaterials synthesis and characterization together with pioneers in biomedical, quantum, and catalysis applications. A major objective of this meeting is to support the rapidly accelerating field of engineering metallic nanoclusters with properties such as bright fluorescence and controlled biofunctionalization to address major biomedical challenges, e.g. deep tissue imaging in the NIR-I and NIR-II tissue transparency windows, new cryoelectron microscopy modalities to better understand structure and function of cells and biological tissues, and quantitative biomedical sensing and theranostics. To meet this objective, we have designed the GRC with a distinct focus on biomedicine, with 9 invited speakers working in the area of nanoclusters for emerging biomedical technologies, as well as two sessions on emerging biomedical technologies enabled by these promising nanomaterials: “Clusters for Biomaging and Therapeutics” and “Nanocluster-Biomolecule Interfaces”. We believe this format will be highly significant for supporting the growing biomedically focused efforts in this field through active discussions, presentations, and idea-sharing, thereby ensuring the success of these new efforts to harness atomically precise nanochemistry to develop new biomedical tools and technologies. A second major objective of this meeting is to support career development, particularly of early-career and trainee researchers. GRCs include at most 200 participants including student and postdoc trainees, early career researchers, and senior faculty and other researchers. The conference’s small size is designed to enhance interactions, seed collaborations, and support training and career development of more junior participants, thereby ensuring workforce development. Moreover, this GRC has an associated Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), a unique forum for young grad student and postdoc researchers to present their work, discuss ideas and pre-published data, and build collaborative relationships with their peers. Experienced mentors and trainee moderators facilitate active participation in scientific discussion. GRS participants are highly encouraged to attend the GRC on Atomically Precise Nanochemistry that takes place immediately after the GRS, and nearly all students attend both the GRC and GRS. Therefore, the GRS is essential to the educational mission of this conference, including developing the future leaders in the field of atomically precise nanomaterials for biomedical science and technologies.

Forest Service

The intent of the National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share grant program is to advance solutions to the economic, health, and environmental challenges faced by communities. This year s program focuses on advancing community tree resource utilization, which can reduce waste and create value by turning wood generated from pruning, removals, storm events, and pest or disease outbreaks into useful products. These products may include lumber, slabs, furniture, flooring, biochar, or other materials that strengthen local economies, reduce disposal costs, and improve community resilience. The program seeks practical, creative, and replicable projects that help communities establish or expand wood utilization efforts. Competitive proposals will demonstrate how the project supports existing community forestry plans, applies industry recognized safety and tree care standards, and delivers clear economic, environmental, or workforce benefits. Projects should outline anticipated wood products, partnerships with professional or industry organizations, and opportunities for job creation, training, or certification. This program is intended for communities and their partners seeking to improve the management and use of their urban and community forests. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other community based partners. Projects must conform to laws and authorities in Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act ([16 U.S.C. 2105] Urban and Community Forestry Assistance) as amended.

Forest Service

<p>The intent of the National Urban and Community Forestry&nbsp;Challenge Cost Share grant program is to advance solutions to the economic, health, and environmental challenges faced by communities. This year’s program focuses on advancing community tree resource utilization, which can reduce waste and create value by turning wood generated from pruning, removals, storm events, and pest or disease outbreaks into useful products. These products may include lumber, slabs, furniture, flooring, biochar, or other materials that strengthen local economies, reduce disposal costs, and improve community resilience.</p><p><br></p><p>The program seeks practical, creative, and replicable projects that help communities establish or expand wood‑utilization efforts. Competitive proposals will demonstrate how the project supports existing community forestry plans, applies industry‑recognized safety and tree‑care standards, and delivers clear economic, environmental, or workforce benefits. Projects should outline anticipated wood products, partnerships with professional or industry organizations, and opportunities for job creation, training, or certification.</p><p><br></p><p>This program is intended for communities and their partners seeking to improve the management and use of their urban and community forests. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other community‑based partners.</p>

NIDCR - National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Project Summary/Abstract Despite advances in dental, oral, and craniofacial research, challenges remain. Cleft lip and palate remain a common birth defect, oropharyngeal cancer is rising in young adults –related to HPV, dental caries remains one of the most common diseases of childhood, periodontal disease prevalence estimates have recently been revised upwards to nearly half the adult populations after a more thorough full-mouth exam methodology; and oral health consequences of the use of e-cigarettes remain largely unknown. There must be a well-trained, dental, oral, and craniofacial health research workforce to address these current scientific challenges, to serve as the catalyst to develop appropriate strategies and further the translation of dental, oral, and craniofacial research. AADOCR aims to provide the valuable opportunity for AADOCR Bloc Travel Grant recipients to present their scientific research in a public forum and to be exposed to senior scientists nationally and around the world, that otherwise would not be available to them. By providing travel and meeting support to the most promising U.S. dental and PhD students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows to attend the AADOCR Annual Meeting to present their own research, participate in career development programming, and network with established scientists in the field, the AADOCR Bloc Travel Grant helps to encourage investigators at a very early stage of their career to further pursue dental, oral, and craniofacial research as a long-term career. AADOCR is requesting support for the AADOCR Bloc Travel Grant program for three years for U.S. dental and PhD students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows to attend and present original research at the AADOCR Annual Meeting & Exhibition scheduled in the following locales: Minneapolis, Minnesota (2027); Baltimore, Maryland (2028), and Denver, Colorado (2029). As with each Annual Meeting, facilities are secured at each location to allow for simultaneous oral sessions, symposia, hands-on workshops, keynote lectures, and distinguished lecture speakers. There are numerous opportunities for student and postdoctoral fellow participation at the Annual Meeting, including training and professional development symposia/sessions offered alongside scientific poster and oral sessions. The opportunity to present their abstracts plays a vital role in helping these early-career researchers develop the skills necessary to communicate their science with clarity and impact.

U.S. National Science Foundation

The contemporary research landscape is a collaborative and international enterprise requiring high level coordination among multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural teams. As such, the Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations program (AccelNet) values cooperation over competition. Program goals are to 1) leverage prior NSF support for building research capacity towards activities that launch international research network of networks (NoN) that will lead to an accelerated advancement of an area of science after the award period and 2) recruit and foster a diverse and internationally competent US-based workforce trained in conducting and leading multi-team international collaboration. Any area funded by the National Science Foundation is eligible, particularly those addressing grand research challenges identified within research communities and/or by NSF. Successful proposals will demonstrate that the proposed activities will: 1) accelerate scientific research at a rate that would not be possible without concerted international cooperation in research planning; 2) make NoN members more competitive for research awards following the period of award; 3) recruit and foster a US-based diverse and internationally competent workforce trained in conducting and leading multi-team international collaboration. Proposals must include detailed plans for collaborative networking activities that will result in a synergy of effort across the entire NoN. The AccelNet Program has two tracks. The Design Track allows PIs to build on prior research by providing time and resources for building capacity across teams to launch a synergistic international NoN. The Implementation Track allows PIs to build on prior research or networking activities by providing time and resources to implement an international NoN. There are two phases to the Implementation Track. Phase 1 funding is for activities related exclusively to NoN activities and is open to all PIs, including but not limited to prior successful Design Track PIs. Phase 2 funding is for early concept research arising from Phase 1 activities and is only open to Phase 1 PIs who have identified a critical research gap during synergistic networking activities in the first 18-24 months of Phase 1 awards.

U.S. National Science Foundation

Particle accelerator systems have been key drivers for a broad array of fundamental discoveries and transformational scientific advances since the early 20th century. Since their inception, they have also been core components of U.S. technological innovation and economic competitiveness. The Accelerator Science program will support and foster research at universities that exploits the educational and discovery potential of basic accelerator physics research, and allows the development of transformational discoveries in this crosscutting academic discipline. In particular, this program seeks to support research with the potential to disrupt existing paradigms and advance accelerator science at a fundamental level, such as enabling discoveries that lead to novel, compact, powerful, and/or cost-effective accelerators. Key questions that this program will address include: what are the fundamental limitations affecting the acceleration, control, intensity, and quality of particle beams? What novel approaches can be employed to substantially increase accelerating gradients? How can developments in other fields lead to new approaches in accelerator science and beam physics? The goal of this program is to seed and support fundamental accelerator science at universities as an academic discipline, providing the foundation in knowledge and workforce upon which major advances in accelerator-driven technologies will be based. An important component of the program will be the support and training of the next generation of accelerator scientists, including students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty, who will lead innovations in the field and will form the backbone of the nation's highly trained accelerator workforce.Proposals for experimental, theoretical, and/or simulation-based research are welcome. Priority will be given to those proposals that enable the discovery science supported by the MPS Division of Physics.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section An award is requested for Loyola University New Orleans to acquire a Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope to enrich faculty research, student training, and local outreach activities. This microscope will enable a variety of research pursuits by undergraduate students across 3 major departments, Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Psychology and Neuroscience. Research projects that will be advanced by this equipment include the understanding of a micropeptide in neuronal biology of the aging brain that is a novel target for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease study. Further, we study transcription factors in connective tissue development and aging that are important for chronic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. We also have research efforts studying cell polarity in cancer, the molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration, and characterization of the micro-organisms of local wetland ecosystems that impact the health and economies of Louisiana inhabitants. Participation in research at Loyola University New Orleans is a central component of undergraduate education, and a confocal microscope would advance our research efforts, and prepare our students for graduate study or careers in STEM. Loyola University New Orleans is a primarily undergraduate institution. All labs are focused on the training of undergraduate students to offer them the best possible preparation for graduate and professional schools. This confocal microscope will be the central piece of equipment used in a new mid-curriculum course in the Biological Sciences entitled ‘Microscopy for the life sciences.’ In this course, students will receive training on the microscope and then will independently perform a number of imaging projects with samples ranging from whole organisms (environmental aquatic samples) to organ systems (intact C. elegans nervous system) to tissue sections to live and fixed cellular samples. After exposure to different uses for the confocal, students will design and perform independent research in the laboratories of their individual PIs using their new-found expertise. Further, the microscope will be used in outreach efforts to southeast Louisiana high school teachers and students to inspire the next generation of educators and researchers in this region of the US. This is critical to sustaining the biomedical research workforce in this area.

NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse

ABSTRACT Peer workers (PWs) are essential frontline workers addressing the opioid epidemic, yet their effectiveness is impeded by high rates of occupational burnout and relapse. Approximately 70% of PWs report elevated levels of burnout, and up to 40% of addiction professionals in recovery have relapsed. Further, the United States is experiencing a substance use workforce crisis due to staff shortages and high turnover rates. Interventions tailored to the unique needs of PWs to support workforce retention and long-term recovery are urgently needed. To date, there are no interventions that prevent burnout and relapse due to occupational stress among PWs. This K01 research and training award addresses this gap by being the first to adapt and test the acceptability and effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) for substance use PWs. A three-phase approach to adapt, refine, and pilot test the intervention will be conducted across three study aims: Aim 1 will include in-depth qualitative interviews with PWs to understand their experiences related to occupationally triggered substance use relapse and perspectives on intervention characteristics to optimize the effectiveness of MBRP for PWs. Aim 2 will include manual development, interventionist training, field testing, and further manual refinement. Aim 3 will include a small, 2-armed (intervention vs. standard of care) pilot hybrid type 1 randomized controlled trial with 80 PWs to assess preliminary effectiveness and implementation outcomes of the adapted MBRP intervention. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary indication of improvement in relapse risk and burnout symptoms will be examined in 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. The long-term goal of this work is to improve the retention and effectiveness of the peer workforce by reducing occupational burnout and substance use relapse. To enable the PI to pursue this long-term research agenda, she will work with experienced mentors to build four areas of expertise: (1) skills in intervention development and testing via randomized controlled trial design and execution, (2) proficiency in workforce development for the substance use disorder peer workforce, (3) expertise in longitudinal and multi-level statistical analysis methods, and (4) proficiency in dissemination and implementation science frameworks and hybrid implementation-effectiveness designs. This K01 proposal addresses a key priority in strengthening the nation’s substance use peer recovery support workforce, and it will fully prepare the PI for an independent research career as an addiction recovery behavioral intervention scientist, leading innovative research that advances the field and ultimately improves the addiction recovery system of care. This proposal directly aligns with NIDA’s Strategic Plan of improving the implementation of evidence-based strategies in real-world settings and identifying approaches to develop personalized interventions informed by people with lived experience and workforce development.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

ABSTRACT The purpose of this Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award is to prepare Ashley Foster, MD, a general and pediatric emergency medicine physician, for a career as an independent clinician investigator. Her work will focus on designing and implementing sustainable, scalable suicide prevention interventions for adolescents who receive care in the emergency department (ED) setting. This proposal integrates targeted training, career development, and research initiatives to enhance Dr. Foster’s experience in health services research, equipping her to: (1) gain specialized skills in human-centered design for adapting a proactive crisis line intervention for adolescents, (2) deepen her knowledge of implementation science frameworks, and (3) advance her capabilities in conducting adolescent suicide prevention research, positioning her for future contributions as a leader in the field. Suicide remains a major cause of death among adolescents in the United States (US), with ED visits for suicidal ideation and behaviors rising significantly over the past decade. The ED is a critical point for identifying adolescents at risk of suicide, but the post-discharge period remains high-risk as many adolescents continue to experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Timely mental health follow-up is vital, yet systemic issues like workforce shortages often cause delays and low follow-up rates, highlighting the need for effective interventions. Proactive interventions in adults have proven to increase mental health visit attendance, reduce suicidal behaviors, and lower suicide deaths, with crisis line centers well-suited for this role due to their resources, specialized training, and national infrastructure. Numerous crisis line centers currently provide proactive interventions after ED discharge. However, these interventions often exclude adolescents, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to their unique needs. Therefore, the objective of this proposal is to adapt and pilot a proactive crisis line intervention for adolescents with increased suicide risk discharged from the ED. To do so, Dr. Foster will pursue the following specific aims: 1) Identify specific needs for an adolescent-adapted proactive crisis line intervention 2) Adapt a proactive crisis line intervention for adolescents, 3) Conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of the adolescent-adapted proactive crisis line intervention. Results will provide the data necessary for a planned R01, which is a full-scale hybrid effectiveness- implementation type I study of the adolescent-adapted proactive crisis line intervention. This proposal aligns with one of the National Institute of Mental Health’s cross-cutting themes of prevention in a research priority area of suicide prevention within a population of concern of children and youth. If successful, an adolescent-adapted proactive crisis line intervention could harness the national crisis line center infrastructure to deliver a transformative solution for at-risk adolescents following discharge from US EDs.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

ABSTRACT The proposed NIGMS IPERT R25 program, “Advancing Biomedical Data Science through Integrated Mentorship, Collaborative Innovation, and Targeted Research Development”, represents an ambitious and transformative expansion of the highly successful Biomedical Data Science Innovation Lab (BDSIL) model developed at the University of Virginia. This program tackles one of the most pressing challenges in modern science: how to empower a new generation of researchers to bridge the gap between the biomedical and quantitative disciplines that increasingly define today’s data-driven discovery landscape. Combining structured mentorship, creativity training, and hands-on research development, this expanded IPERT program will serve as a national incubator for innovative ideas, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultivating scientific leadership. Unfolding as a year-long, immersive experience for nationally-selected early-career faculty and senior postdoctoral fellows, the program is specifically designed to equip participants with the technical, conceptual, and collaborative skills necessary to lead the next wave of biomedical data science. Participants will engage in a sequence of carefully integrated activities: virtual “Microlab” seminars that spark ideation and knowledge exchange; advanced mentorship training that transforms experienced scientists into effective interdisciplinary guides; and a culminating five-day, in-person intensive workshop where teams co-develop grant-ready research projects aligned with emerging NIH priorities. Each year, the program will focus on a new, high-impact biomedical theme, such as AI for precision medicine or data-driven approaches in clinical neuroscience, selected in consultation with NIH program officers to ensure relevance and opportunity. What makes this effort unique is its evidence-based integration of creativity science, Team Science facilitation, and structured mentorship - approaches proven to generate high-performing research teams and long-lasting professional networks. An evaluation framework, led by experts in educational data science, will rigorously track participant outcomes through longitudinal career monitoring, network analysis, and project success metrics. Annual program evaluations will assess the BDSIL’s impact through participant interviews and satisfaction ratings, ensuring continuous improvement and effectiveness. An experienced leadership and coordination team is ideally suited and earlier efforts have already demonstrated measurable impact, catalyzing multi-institutional collaborations, new grant awards, and peer-reviewed publications. This major IPERT expansion will amplify that impact by transforming how biomedical data scientists are mentored, connected, and inspired. By uniting the intellectual strengths of data and biomedical sciences within an innovative, human-centered, Team Science-focused framework, this innovative IPERT program directly advances the NIGMS mission to cultivate a broad-based and creative biomedical research workforce prepared for the data-rich challenges of 21st Century bioscience.

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

Project Summary/Abstract The objective of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP) is to provide undergraduates with advanced training and skill development required for future leaders in basic, translational, clinical, and behavioral child health research. We will identify and nurture the next generation of innovators in pediatric research. Undergraduate scholars are often at a professional inflection point where the targeted efforts of CRISSP are ideally timed to provide skills, knowledge of scientific career options, and mentors dedicated to pioneering advances that ensure children lead healthy and productive lives, free from disease or disability, from birth to adulthood. The proposed research education program is designed to improve on an existing outstanding 10-week summer pediatric research internship with the ultimate goal of creating uniquely qualified students who are primed to both succeed in and foster the biomedical research workforce path. The annual program, which provides mentored research training to 25-30 competitively chosen undergraduate interns, will achieve this goal through three synergistic strategies: 1) scientific mastery through completion of an independent research project, 2) career exploration through shadowing and active mentorship, and 3) academic skill development through tailored curriculum. A dedicated team of mentors and program staff support CRISSP scholars both during and after the program, engaging alumni to both contribute to the experiences of current CRISSP scholars and to serve as peer and professional networks to help advance career development. CRISSP is creating an exceptional cadre of young scientist- leaders, gifted with an appreciation aligned with the mission of the National Institute of Health to transform discoveries into more healthy lives.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The long-term goal of the proposed Advancing Communication and Engagement in the Sciences (ACES) Program at the MDI Biological Laboratory is to address the critical need for a biomedical workforce skilled in multi-domain science communication. Biomedical research is increasingly complex and taxpayer-funded, yet information on many discoveries, including their relevance to human health, remain inaccessible to the public, policymakers, funders, and scientists in other fields. Current science-communication training largely emphasizes technical writing, leaving gaps in skills essential for public engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and entrepreneurial communication. ACES will be accessible nationally to scientists in any biomedical discipline and will focus on training scientists in the early stages of their careers. Specifically, ACES is designed to train undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career scientists to communicate effectively across four key domains: a) public communication; b) scientific communication, i.e. communicating with other scientists; c) public outreach; and d) entrepreneurial communication. ACES will also integrate training in reproducibility and ethics, and responsible use of AI and advanced data visualization. Our ACES Program will be, to our knowledge, the first nationally accessible scientific-communication training program that provides training in multiple types of communication and that integrates rigor, reproducibility, and research integrity. We will implement our innovative program through three aims: Aim 1: Deliver an annual online science communication course with interactive modules and an optional in-person capstone week where participants refine presentations, engage with experts, and practice multiple communication strategies in real- world contexts. Aim 2: Build and maintain a publicly accessible online Resource Hub containing examples of participant materials, activity templates, and recordings of expert-led sessions to support participants and the broader biomedical community in adopting best communication practices both during and after the program. Aim 3: Establish an online national Community of Practice (CoP) that links participants, course instructors, and other scientific-community members to foster peer-led skill development, iterative practice cycles, and professional networking, ensuring sustained engagement and application of science-communication skills beyond the formal course. Together these elements will equip participants to communicate with clarity, confidence, and integrity, while also being able to embed reproducibility and ethical research and AI practices in their work, and increase public trust in science. By creating a sustainable, nationally accessible training infrastructure, the ACES Program will foster a generation of biomedical researchers capable of sharing discoveries responsibly, maximizing the impact of taxpayer-funded science, and contributing to a culture of transparent, ethical, and effective science communication.

NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

Project Summary The Digital Health Research and AI Training Program at the University of North Texas (UNT) provides a hands-on summer research experience for high school science teachers in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region. This initiative immerses educators in digital health, AI-driven healthcare solutions, and wearable health technologies, equipping them with the skills to integrate real-world digital health applications into STEM curricula. Under the guidance of faculty mentors from engineering, health sciences, and education, participating teachers conduct research in active digital health and AI labs, gaining direct exposure to cutting-edge work in embedded systems, biosensors, medical imaging, and AI-powered diagnostics. The program places ten high school teachers in research laboratories, where they engage in structured study design, bio-signal data collection, and machine learning analysis of physiological signals such as ECG, PPG, and motion data. Educators also participate in targeted workshops designed to provide foundational knowledge in AI, digital health research, and embedded systems, ensuring they have the necessary prerequisites to apply these concepts in their teaching. Through hands-on training, teachers develop wearable health devices, implement real-time bio-signal processing, and explore AI-driven digital health applications, culminating in collaborative research studies with university faculty. Using a Community of Practice model, teachers work alongside faculty and peers to develop STEM lesson plans, curriculum maps, and instructional materials aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). This program directly addresses the lack of hands-on AI and digital health research training opportunities for high school educators in the DFW region, bridging the gap between academic research and STEM education. By integrating biosensors, real-time signal processing, and embedded AI concepts into classroom instruction, educators empower students to engage with real-world biomedical challenges and explore careers in digital health, healthcare AI, and digital health technologies. The program includes a comprehensive evaluation plan assessing curriculum improvement, classroom implementation, and student engagement in biomedical AI topics. Teachers participate in pre- and post-program assessments, classroom observation studies, and long-term tracking of student learning outcomes. The initiative also incorporates structured dissemination opportunities, enabling educators to present their research experiences and curriculum materials at regional STEM education conferences, school district professional development workshops, and AI in healthcare summits. This initiative enhances teacher expertise in digital health and AI, expands the STEM workforce pipeline, and fosters student interest in healthcare innovation by providing a sustainable professional development model. Through collaborations with local research institutions, industry partners, and K-12 networks, the program ensures a lasting impact on high school STEM education in the DFW region.

U.S. National Science Foundation

The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) Program is committed to funding research and practice, with continued focus on investigating a range of informal STEM learning (ISL) experiences and environments that make lifelong learning a reality. This program seeks proposals that center engagement, broadening participation, and belonging, and further the well-being of individuals and communities who have been and continue to be excluded, underserved, or underrepresented in STEM along several dimensions. The current solicitation encourages proposals from institutions and organizations that serve public audiences, and specifically focus on public engagement with and understanding of STEM, including community STEM; public participation in scientific research (PPSR); science communication; intergenerational STEM engagement; and STEM media. Projects funded by AISL should contribute to research and practice that further illuminates informal STEM learning s role in engagement, broadening participation, and belonging in STEM; personal and educational success in STEM; advancing public engagement in scientific discovery; fostering interest in STEM careers; creating and enhancing the theoretical and empirical foundations for effective informal STEM learning; improving community vibrancy; and/or enhancing science communication and the public s engagement in and understanding of STEM and STEM processes. The AISL Program funds five types of projects: (1) Synthesis; (2) Conference; (3) Partnership Development and Planning; (4) Integrating Research and Practice; and (5) Research in Support of Wide-reaching Public Engagement with STEM. NOTES: Activities primarily focused on formal educational systems or outcomes are outside the scope of work supported by this program. AISL does not fund formal elementary, middle, or high school, or undergraduate or graduate education, whether in-person or online. Similarly, AISL does not fund formal workforce training (e.g., professional certifications and degree-earning programs) that is not aimed directly at informal STEM learning professionals. While the language in the Broadening Participation in STEM section draws attention to the diversity of institutions of higher education (IHEs), the AISL program encourages submissions from the full spectrum of diverse talent that society has to offer to include those from Non-profit, Non-academic Organizations, and Tribal Nations as core to the program s Broadening Participation and overall efforts to engage the diverse talent from communities and advance informal STEM education. Non-profit, Non-academic Organizations are directly associated with educational or research activities but do not grant degrees. They include but are not limited to independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations located in the U.S. The term Tribal Nation means an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 5130-5131.

U.S. Mission to Ukraine

The U.S. Department of State's Embassy Kyiv announces an open competition for Ukrainian non-governmental media organizations and independent media outlets to implement a program that strengthens data-driven and AI-enabled journalism in Ukraine. It will build the capacity of journalists and newsrooms to produce high-quality reporting on economic development, reconstruction and investment through training in investigative reporting, data journalism, artificial intelligence, open-source research, cybersecurity, and responsible use of emerging technologies. The program will also aim to support regional and frontline media, where AI and modern digital tools can help offset wartime staffing shortages, strengthen investigative reporting, and improve coverage of local economic development and future recovery efforts. As a result, the program will expand audiences access to independent sources of information. Eligible recipients are Ukrainian registered non-profit media organizations and media outlets working in partnership other relevant stakeholders. By strengthening independent media, expanding the responsible use of U.S.-developed AI technologies and fostering a skilled journalism workforce, the program advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by improving resilience against foreign malign influence, promoting technological innovation, and supporting transparent, accountable journalism that reinforces democratic resilience and contributes to Ukraine's reconstruction, economic transformation, and a transparent, competitive investment environment.

OD - NIH Office of the Director

Project Summary/Abstract Cardiac disease remains the leading cause of mortality, yet existing models fail to capture the complexity necessary for effective therapeutic development. COIN (Cardiac Organoids in Niches) integrates in silico, in chemico, and in vitro methodologies to engineer patient-specific cardiac niches, enhancing disease fidelity and therapeutic screening. By leveraging AI-driven modeling, biomaterials engineering, and multi-omics analysis, COIN establishes a scalable, reproducible NAMs platform for disease modeling and drug discovery. COIN’s AI- powered niche design tailors cardiac microenvironments to genetic, sex, and age profiles, improving disease relevance and therapeutic predictability. Innovations in biomaterials engineering refine extracellular matrix (ECM) properties to replicate human cardiac physiology, while organoid villages enhance translational accuracy. Multi- scale validation ensures COIN models faithfully reproduce patient-specific disease phenotypes, supporting regulatory qualification and preclinical safety assessment. COIN collaborates with the VQN to establish regulatory validation benchmarks and with the NDHCC to facilitate FAIR-compliant multi-omics data-sharing. Supported by the nation’s largest academic iPSC biobank and the Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, COIN unites leading experts in bioinformatics, AI, biomaterials, and organoid engineering to develop standardized, regulatory-ready NAMs models. Comprehensive technical characterization ensures functional validation, disease fidelity, and industry readiness. Training and outreach initiatives drive interdisciplinary collaboration and workforce development, fostering broad industry adoption. By integrating multi-scale modeling, high-throughput biomaterials engineering, and AI-driven analytics, COIN reduces reliance on animal models, advances precision drug discovery, and establishes a gold-standard NAMs platform for cardiac medicine.

NIDCD - National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

PROJECT SUMMARY Surgeon-scientists are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between clinical care and research by translating surgical challenges into testable research questions and applying scientific discoveries to improve patient outcomes. Their unique position, combining surgical expertise, access to human biospecimens, and real-time exposure to disease processes, allows them to identify pressing clinical challenges and pursue solutions that are immediately relevant to human health. The contributions of surgeon-scientists have led to transformative innovations in fields such as organ transplantation, cochlear implantation, and cancer therapy. However, the surgeon-scientist workforce is rapidly declining due to limited access to structured training, increasing clinical demands, and a lack of protected time for research. This decline threatens continued innovation in Otolaryngology and communication sciences. The proposed program, Advancing Surgeon-Scientists through Career Education and Networked Training in Otolaryngology (ASCENT-Oto), aims to address this critical gap by providing structured research training, operative experience, and long-term mentorship to aspiring surgeon-scientists. ASCENT-Oto is designed for two target groups: post-residency Otolaryngology graduates who have not yet begun faculty careers, and early-career Otolaryngology faculty within two to five years of appointment. The program will offer a one-year mentored research experience for post-graduates and a 2.5-year K-equivalent training curriculum for early- career faculty. Participants will be matched to one of three sub-specialty research tracks aligned with NIDCD priorities: Hearing and Communication, Head and Neck Cancer, or Airway Health and Olfaction. Each track will integrate clinical and translational research with mentored surgical practice. Training will be supported by existing infrastructure at the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the MCW Graduate School, and OTO Clinomics, a department-wide clinical informatics platform. The program will feature individualized development plans, targeted didactic coursework, mentored research projects, and structured wellness programming to support professional growth and mitigate burnout. Each participant will be paired with one or more of twelve experienced mentors whose expertise spans basic and translational science, clinical trials, and outcomes research. Training will emphasize core research competencies, including hypothesis generation, study design, data analysis, scientific communication, and grant development. ASCENT-Oto is intended to build a pipeline of surgeon-scientists capable of sustaining dual careers in surgery and research. Program success will be evaluated through participant skill development, academic productivity, and long-term career outcomes. By preparing the next generation of clinician-investigators, ASCENT-Oto seeks to advance the mission of the NIDCD and improve the lives of individuals affected by disorders of hearing, voice, speech, and communication.

Health and Human Services Department

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, HRSA submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Comments submitted during the first public review of this ICR will be provided to OMB. OMB will accept further comments from the public during the review and approval period. OMB may act on HRSA's ICR only after the 30-day comment period for this notice has closed.

Health and Human Services Department

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, HRSA submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Comments submitted during the first public review of this ICR will be provided to OMB. OMB will accept further comments from the public during the review and approval period. OMB may act on HRSA's ICR only after the 30-day comment period for this notice has closed.

Health and Human Services Department

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, HRSA announces plans to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to OMB. Prior to submitting the ICR to OMB, HRSA seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate, below, or any other aspect of the ICR.