Announcements
Reminder of Updated PEERRS Requirements for Researchers
Due to new federal regulations, additional requirements have been added under the University’s Program for the Education and Evaluation of Responsible Research and Scholarship (PEERRS). Most notably:
- Anyone (faculty, student, or staff) named on a proposal submitted for external funding must complete the Research Security Training module prior to proposal submission and in order for any award to be processed.
- All personnel on an externally funded award are required to complete the DOJ Bulk Sensitive Data Regulations Training and Research Administration modules.
- Anyone engaged in U-M research or scholarship activity—regardless of internal or external support—must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research & Scholarship (RCRS) training.
Questions regarding PEERRS requirements should be directed to [email protected].
Federal Updates and Engagement Opportunities
- Updates on Genesis Mission
Expanding beyond DOE, additional agencies are announcing opportunities related to the national Genesis Mission to accelerate AI-driven discovery. A new NSF solicitation offers funding up to $5M for community datasets, and a Dear Colleague Letter encourages submissions in three areas. NIH has released six focus areas with related Highlighted Topics, and funding opportunities expected to follow.
● NIH Request for Information — measuring and rewarding scientific impact. NIH is seeking input to identify the research and infrastructure needs necessary to advance rigorous, reliable science. Respond by Aug. 19.
● Serve as an NSF reviewer. Volunteer to be a reviewer or panelist for proposals reviewed by the NSF Directorate for STEM Education.
● NSF financial-assistance policy update. NSF plans to rename the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) the Guidance on Financial Assistance (GFA), a preliminary alignment with the Office of Management and Budget's proposed Uniform Guidance rule. The NSF Request for Information is open until Aug. 24. Individuals may respond, but may not use university letterhead and must clearly identify any stated views as their own.
Events
IRB On-the-Road: Drop-In Sessions for UM-Dearborn
Elizabeth Molina, UM-Dearborn’s Health and Services and Behavioral Sciences Institutional Review Board (IRB-HSBS) liaison, will offer IRB On-the-Road drop-in sessions during Fall 2026. These sessions provide faculty, staff, graduate, and undergraduate students with an opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance on IRB processes prior to proposal or application submission.
Format: Zoom Room - access the room and wait to be invited by the host.
Session Dates, Fall 2026:
- September 16 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
- October 21 | 2:00 –3:30 p.m.
- November 18 | 2:00 –3:30 p.m.
- December 16 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
NSF BIO Virtual Office Hour Updates from the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences
This virtual office hour series provides updates from the National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences on funding opportunities, priorities, and initiatives relevant to the biological sciences research community.
Session date:
- September 16 |1:00-2:00 p.m.
- Register for the NSF BIO Virtual Office Hour series (Zoom)
Artificial Intelligence in Grant Prospecting and Development
Discover how artificial intelligence tools can support funding searches, grant prospecting, and proposal development activities.
- Aug. 27 | noon
AI & Health Symposium 2026
The University of Michigan's annual AI & Health Symposium brings together researchers, clinicians, students, and industry partners to explore advances in artificial intelligence and healthcare. The event provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, networking, research showcases, poster presentations, and discussions on emerging AI applications in health and medicine. UM-Dearborn faculty with relevant research are invited to attend:
- Date: Sept. 11 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Location: North Campus Research Complex, Building 18 Dining Hall, Ann Arbor
- Register for the AI & Health Symposium 2026
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) for K Awardees – Summer 2026
This seminar series is designed to meet NIH Responsible Conduct of Research requirements for K awardees and other career development grant recipients.
- Oct. 8 | 3–5 p.m.
- Location: North Campus Research Complex (NCRC), Building 10 South Atrium, Ann Arbor, MI
- Learn more and register for Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) for K Awardees – Summer 2026
Collaborating with Community Partners in Grant Seeking
Community partnerships can strengthen proposals, expand resources, and make your work more compelling to funders. Building these relationships requires trust, shared goals, and clear communication. This session will show you how to identify the right partners, structure collaborations that benefit all parties, and craft proposals that demonstrate collective impact.
- Oct. 29 | noon, Zoom
- Register for Collaborating with Community Partners in Grant Seeking
Assessing Alignment & Competitiveness in Grant Prospecting
While many grant seekers have access to a wealth of information about funding opportunities, finding the right fit can still be a challenge. This session focuses on the art of grant prospecting beyond the initial identification of potential targets—helping you to achieve meaningful alignment with funder priorities by spotting key indicators and red flags in your evaluation process.
- Nov. 19 | noon, Zoom
- Register for Assessing Alignment & Competitiveness in Grant Prospecting
MXO Spark Tank
DARPA's Multi X Office (MXO) is hosting Spark Tank, an in-person event for prospective proposers, future collaborators, and innovators interested in engaging with DARPA. Participants will hear directly from MXO Program Managers, learn about emerging research priorities, and schedule one-on-one sidebar meetings to discuss research alignment and strengthen future funding competitiveness. The event is designed to help researchers better understand DARPA's mission, identify collaboration opportunities, and prepare more competitive proposals.
- Nov. 2–4 | Chicago, IL
- Registration opens Aug. 10
- Register for MXO Spark Tank
Research Resource Highlight
Tracking Federal Changes
The research policy landscape is shifting quickly. The U-M Tracking Federal Changes site consolidates updates on federal policy, agency priorities, and proposal-and-award guidance so investigators can plan submissions with the latest information. UM-Dearborn faculty preparing proposals this fall are encouraged to review it before finalizing plans, particularly given the proposed NSF PAPPG-to-GFA transition noted above.
Funding Opportunities
Below are select external funding opportunities. For assistance in finding additional federal and private funding opportunities, researchers may access the U-M Library's Research Funding & Grants Guide, the PIVOT Database, or U-M Corporate and Foundation Relations. The OVPR Office of Research Development maintains a database of large-scale opportunities (U-M login required).
NSF Engineering Research Initiation (ERI)
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Proposal Due: Oct. 9, 2026
Funding Amount: Up to $200,000 total, including indirect costs, over 24 months
The ERI program supports new engineering faculty as they establish independent research programs and generate the preliminary results that lead to future externally funded research.
NSF Contacts
We strongly encourage you to contact the NSF ERI program officers before writing and submitting a proposal. Cognizant Program Officer(s):
Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.
- Rosa Lukaszew, telephone: (703) 292-8103, email: [email protected]
- Shahab Shojaei-Zadeh, telephone: (703) 292-8045, email: [email protected]
- Janis P. Terpenny, telephone: (703) 292-2487, email: [email protected]
If you have questions about your eligibility after reviewing the solicitation, please reach out to our office for help: [email protected]
Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)
Sponsor: U.S. Department of War
Proposal Due: Nov. 6, 2026
DURIP supports the purchase of research instrumentation that sustains university research in areas important to national defense. Faculty may submit the same proposal to all three DOW offices:
● Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
● Office of Naval Research (ONR)
● Army Research Laboratory (ARL)
Energy, Water, and Resource Engineering
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Proposal due: Rolling Deadline
Funding amount: varied. Consult with PO to discuss project scope and budget before applying.
Program: supports fundamental research to advance energy, water, and resource management and to safeguard health. Better use of domestic resources will make U.S. manufacturing, energy, and water systems more efficient and secure.
Engineering Biological and Biomedical Systems
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Proposal Due: Rolling Deadline
Funding Amount: Varies; applicants are encouraged to consult with the program officer regarding project scope and budget.
This program supports fundamental engineering research that advances understanding and control of biological and physiological systems to improve human health. Research may include novel biomedical technologies, biosensing platforms, biomanufacturing innovations, rehabilitation engineering, and mechanistic studies that integrate engineering principles with biological sciences. The program does not primarily support drug design, drug delivery, or animal model development.
Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE)
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Proposal Due: Sept. 1
Funding Amount: Up to $300,000 (Track 1); Up to $1.5 million (Tracks 2 and 3)
Supports the development, sustainability, and security of open-source ecosystems that translate research products into widely used technologies addressing national and societal challenges.
Limited Submissions and Internal Opportunities
Following is a select list of Calls for Intent to Submit and Limited Submissions internal competitions, coordinated by the U-M Office of the Vice President for Research and the Medical School. For a full list of currently open opportunities, visit OVPR's Research Commons.
- OVPR Limited Submissions Policy; Questions: [email protected]
- Medical School Limited Submissions Homepage
Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists
Sept. 30, 2026- Internal Deadline
Nov. 20, 2026- Sponsor Deadline
Funding: $250,000
Limit: 3 (one per category)
Declare Intent to Submit to Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists
Center for Global Health Equity Seed Grant
Sept. 4, 2026- LOI Deadline
Funding: Up to $35,000
Learn more and apply to the Center for Global Health Equity Seed Grant
Arts Research: Incubation & Acceleration (ARIA): Faculty Research Funding Program
Internal Deadline: Oct. 21, 2026, 5 p.m.
Funding: Up to $25,000 (individual faculty) or up to $50,000 (research teams), for up to two years
A joint U-M Arts Initiative and OVPR program supporting arts-centered research and creative practice across all three U-M campuses, including UM-Dearborn. Interdisciplinary teams of two U-M faculty co-PIs are especially encouraged.
Learn more and apply to the ARIA Faculty Research Funding Program
Bold Challenges Accelerate Program 2027
Applications: Rolling (internal deadline June 30, 2027)
Funding: Up to $250,000 in incentive-based support, plus proposal-development services
An OVPR Bold Challenges program supporting interdisciplinary teams that are actively pursuing a transformational, large-scale external grant, with personalized proposal-development support — team facilitation, project management, graphic design and proposal review — alongside incentive-based funding.
Learn more and apply to the Bold Challenges Accelerate Program
