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: Van Hai Bui
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award amount: $199,984
Title: ERI: Scalable Machine Learning Frameworks for Stability Enhancement in Inverter-Dominated Power Systems
This NSF ERI project aims to enhance the stability and resilience of modern power systems as they increasingly rely on inverter-based resources, such as distributed energy generation and battery energy storage systems. While these technologies are essential for a sustainable energy future, they introduce fast and complex dynamics that make power grids more challenging to monitor and control. Traditional analysis tools are often insufficient due to limited visibility into device-level operations and interactions. This project will bring transformative advances by developing intelligent, data-driven methods capable of estimating system behavior in real time and recommending actions to prevent instability. The approach integrates machine learning with physical principles to deliver scalable and privacy-preserving solutions for next-generation power systems.
Principal Investigator: Karishma Patnaik
Project Title: ERI: Redefining Robot Intelligence Through Contact-Level Reflexes and Physical Continual Learning for Fast, Reliable Task Adaptation in Unstructured, Contact-Rich Environments
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $198,792
With this NSF ERI project, Dr. Patnaik aims to improve the safety and reliability of robots in tasks that involve physical contact with objects by developing a new, scalable and generalizable approach to designing embodied robotic systems that integrate sensing, physical interaction, and control to ensure reliable operation under uncertainty. By combining physical adaptation, learning, and provably stable control, the project provides a unified framework that reduces reliance on centralized computation and enables robust operation in uncertain, contact-rich environments. The impacts of the project include improving the safety and reliability of robots in repair, manufacturing, infrastructure maintenance, agriculture, and healthcare, while also supporting education and accessibility by training students, releasing open-source tools, and engaging students through outreach activities.
Principal Investigator: Doohyun Kim
Project Title: Physics-Informed Machine Learning for xPT Performance Prediction: Enhancing In-Use Models with Data-Driven Learning Approaches
Sponsor: Hyundai Motor Company and Kia
Award Amount: $70,000
This project seeks to improve the accuracy of existing engine performance models by adding a safe, lightweight machine learning layer that corrects known modeling errors without entirely replacing trusted, certified legacy systems. Dr. Doohyun Kim, in collaboration with Dr. Youngki Kim will develop a Physics-constrained Residual Learning (PCRL) framework that learns only the mathematical deviations from current baseline models. Among other engineering applications, this research can significantly increase the accuracy of performance parameter predictions, reduce engine calibration time and testing efforts, enable advanced error diagnosis, and allow for progressive software upgrades in complex vehicle control systems without demanding expensive new hardware or risking a complete recertification.
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 Updates
- eRA Commons Account Consolidation Feature. NIH has introduced a new eRA Commons feature that allows users to consolidate multiple accounts, helping streamline access and reduce duplicate account issues.
- NIH Reinforces Replication and Reproducibility in Research. NIH highlights key reminders and updated guidance for applicants and awardees to strengthen replication, reproducibility and rigor across NIH-funded research.
- Centralized NIH Peer Review. One year after centralizing peer review, NIH report summarizes improvements in the review process.
NSF Tech Accelerators (RFI)
- Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)
- Response Due: July 14
- Funding Amount: Not Applicable (Request for Information)
- Seeks input on a proposed initiative to accelerate the commercialization of deep-technology innovations through partnerships among researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, industry, and government stakeholders.
Research 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 Summer 2026. This marks the first time these sessions are being offered during the summer term. 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, Summer 2026: July 15 | 2–3:30 p.m.
(NSF CAREER) Proposal Writing Workshop @ UM-Dearborn
The UM-Dearborn Office of Research Development is offering in-person writing sessions for Dearborn researchers. These sessions are open to faculty preparing an NSF CAREER proposal or any other external proposal submission. They provide dedicated, distraction-free writing time, peer accountability, and structured support, as well as an opportunity for one-on-one consultations with the director of Research Development, to help PIs make steady progress toward submission.
Scheduled sessions:
- July 2 — noon – 3 p.m.
- July 9 — noon PM – 3 p.m.
If you want to join this workshop, email Spandana Vemavarapu [email protected] to be added to the Google Calendar invitation.
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 dates:
- July 16 | 1-2 p.m.
- Aug. 19 | 1-2 p.m.
- Register for the NSF BIO Virtual Office Hour series (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.
Session Dates :
- 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
- Agreement Types and When to Use Them
Learn about common agreement structures used in academic-industry collaborations, including sponsored research, consulting, fee-for-service, clinical trials, and educational agreements.
- July 9 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
- Register for the Agreement Types and When to Use Them webinar
- IP, Data, and Publications in Industry-Sponsored Research
Explore intellectual property considerations, data management practices, and publication expectations in industry-sponsored research collaborations.
- July 21 | noon–1 p.m.
- Register for the IP, Data, and Publications in Industry-Sponsored Research webinar (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)
Research Resource Highlight
Preserving Interrupted Research for Public Access
Research Interrupted: The Research Data Continuity Collection is an open-access Deep Blue Data collection designed to preserve unfinished research, especially datasets from projects halted by stop-work orders or grant terminations. By making these materials publicly discoverable, the collection helps recognize the completed work and supports future research use. Deposits may include collected data, project objectives, progress notes, impact statements, proposals, and other supporting documentation, all curated and preserved under Deep Blue Data policies with flexibility for incomplete projects.
Limited Submissions and Internal Opportunities
The 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
- Medical School Limited Submissions Homepage
- Questions: [email protected]
Beckman Young Investigators (BYI) Program
- June 29 - Internal Deadline
- July 31 - Sponsor Deadline
- Funding: $150,000-$600,000
- Limit: not limited, but requires institutional coordination
Declare Intent to Submit to Beckman Young Investigators (BYI) Program
Sloan Research Fellowship
- July 20- Internal Deadline
- Sept. 15- Sponsor Deadline
- Funding: $75,000
- Limit: more than 1 per department, but not more than 3
- Declare Intent to Submit to Sloan Research Fellowship
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).
Partnerships for Academic-Industry Career Training (PACT) Initiative
- Sponsor: DOE
- Proposal due: July 17
- Funding amount: varied, up to $2M
The program will enhance the nation’s capacity for a highly skilled energy workforce to help establish America’s energy dominance by establishing regional consortia (comprising academic institutions, industry employers, and workforce development entities) that will create or expand hands-on training programs and credentials supporting the production of hydrocarbons and geothermal energy.
New NSF Program: STRIDE Ventures AI Efficiency Challenge
STRIDE Ventures, in partnership with the NSF TIP and Start2 Group, launched its newest milestone-driven initiative: The AI Efficiency Challenge. Applications focused on energy and/or thermal management are responsive “if focused on software-enabled demand response flexibility and/or efficiency gains in energy distribution and/or thermal management, provided the overall efficiency gains are meaningful relative to other software-enabled opportunities,” and there is a near-term path to deployment of the innovation. Learn more about the AI Efficiency Challenge and apply by July 13.
Integrated Data Systems & Services (IDSS)
- Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Proposal Due: July 28
- Funding Amount: Varies by project category
- Program supports the development, scaling, and operation of national-scale data and cyberinfrastructure systems that enable data-intensive and AI-driven research and education across scientific disciplines.
CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS)
- Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Proposal Due: July 21
- Funding Amount: Up to $2.5 million (Scholarship Track); Up to $500,000 (Innovation Track)
- Supports scholarships and educational innovations that integrate artificial intelligence and cybersecurity training to prepare a highly skilled workforce for government AI and cybersecurity missions.
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.
