Office of Research update: July 2026

July 16, 2026

See whose work is getting funded, browse upcoming events and learn about new funding opportunities in the July update from the Office of Research.

The UM-Dearborn Office of Research would like to congratulate the our campus faculty on securing external funding for the following research projects.

Principal Investigator: Youngki Kim
Project Title: AI-Based Energy Management System Development for Extended-Range Electric Vehicles
Sponsor: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc.
Award Amount: $175,000

In this project, Dr. Kim in collaboration with Dr. Kwak aims to develop AI-based energy management algorithms that consider user behavior to improve the accuracy of vehicle energy consumption predictions under diverse driving conditions. Ultimately, the developed algorithms will provide optimized energy distribution strategies for Extended-Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs).

Principal Investigator: Wencong Su
Project Title: Virtual Validation & SaaS Framework for Smart Energy Management
Sponsor: GC Mobility & Energy, Inc.
Award Amount: $5,500

This project aims to develop a high-fidelity simulation environment and a functional SaaS-based management interface. The primary goal is to validate the technical and economic feasibility of "No-Grid-Upgrade" charging solutions using Reinforcement Learning (RL) optimization before physical hardware deployment.

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].

NIH Changes and Reminders

SimplerNOFO. NIH has revised its funding announcements structure to make them more accessible and understandable. The new structure will be rolled out to all NIH NOFOs over time.
AI use in proposal development. NIH highlighted compliance guidelines about AI use in federal grant applications. While AI can be used for limited editing or specific research processes, NIH warns that fabricating data, hallucinating references, or submitting AI-generated applications crosses into research misconduct and compromises scientific integrity. Any AI use in submissions, manuscripts, and publications, must be disclosed in the application.
Reminder to disclose foreign components. NIH has issued updated guidelines emphasizing the critical requirement for researchers to provide timely, accurate disclosure of foreign components. To maintain proper compliance, applicants must justify international activities during the initial submission process, seek prior approval for any post-award additions, and immediately report any newly discovered foreign collaborations.

Research Events

IRB On-the-Road: Drop-In Sessions for UM-Dearborn

The Summer 2026 IRB On-the-Road sessions have concluded. The Fall 2026 schedule will be announced soon and featured in the next Research Reporter. Researchers with questions may contact Elizabeth Molina, UM-Dearborn's Health Sciences and Behavioral Sciences Institutional Review Board (IRB-HSBS) liaison, via email at [email protected].

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:

Aug. 19 | 1-2 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

Learn more and register for the Artificial Intelligence in Grant Prospecting and Development webinar (Zoom)

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. U-M 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

Research Resource Highlight

Navigating NIH’s New Highlighted Topics: How to Align Your Next Grant Application

NIH has introduced "Highlighted Topics" to signal emerging research priorities as they reduce targeted solicitations. These topics are not independent funding opportunities, meaning applicants must respond to them by applying through an investigator-initiated parent announcement or broad grant opportunity. To ensure alignment with these strategic priorities, researchers are advised to consult with the listed scientific contacts before submitting their application. The OVPR Office of Research Development has created a guide featuring tips and strategies for navigating NIH Highlighted Topics (access with umich.edu).

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.

OVPR Office of Research Development maintains a database of large-scale opportunities (U-M login required).

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.