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: Hong Tae Kang
Sponsor: Auto Steel Partnership Foundation
Award amount: $20,000
Title: Machine Learning Approach For Fatigue Life Prediction of Welded Joints Subjected to Variable Amplitude Loading
Fatigue life prediction methods of welded joints have been mainly based on structural stresses, although many factors affect fatigue life of welded joints for a fatigue life prediction model. Machine Learning (ML) approaches have been used more recently, but such models need to be improved for variable amplitude loading cases. Dr. Kang’s team will work to develop ML models to more accurately predict fatigue life of certain manufacturing processes.
Principal Investigator: Kalyan Kondapalli
Sponsor: American Heart Association
Award amount: $100,000
Title: NHE9-Regulated Endosomal pH: A Navigational Switch for Neuroprotective Exosome Secretion in Ischemia
Ischemic stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked, and is a leading cause of long-term disability. While doctors can often remove the blockage, the brain faces a new challenge when blood flow returns and many survivors experience difficulty because the brain struggles to repair damage after a stroke. Dr. Kondapalli will investigate a natural way the brain tries to heal itself, specifically associated with a specific protein that helps protect the brain and sends repair information that can assist with the healing process. His team will use laser technology to measure how the protein packages move, combined with programs that seek out patterns showing that healing is taking place. By learning how the brain sends out its own repair messages, they aim to find new ways to help people recover after stroke.
Principal Investigator: Shan Bao
Sponsor: State Farm
Award amount: $210,019
Title: Understanding the Modern Driver Distraction Landscape: AI-Powered Classification, Causation and Detection via Multi-Modal Data Fusion
This project objective is to develop an AI based algorithm for accurately predicting unknown behaviors from partial evidence. Traditional methodologies can successfully map certain behavioral patterns but struggle with abstract reasoning about context, causality, and rare or novel events, so critical elements are frequently overlooked in crash databases. Dr. Bao’s team will use a framework they have developed to better capture more complex driver behaviors and address a broad array of crash scenario reconstructions and analyses with a large data sample.
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].
NSF Updates and Events
- NSF program directors will provide information on the NSF CAREER program (NSF 22-586) via a webinar on May 19, 2:30 p.m.
- NSF invites information, suggestions, and innovations to inform a comprehensive review of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program. Respond by May 28.
- NSF has been updating its program pages. Check the website regularly for updates.
- Organizational Change in the Professional Formation of Engineers (ENGINEER:OC) | PD 26-1342
- Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) | PD 26-1341
- Engineering for the Built Environment (EBE)
- Intelligent and Interactive Dynamic Systems (IIDS)
- Energy, Power, Control, and Learning (EPCL) | PD 26-7607
- Circuits and Systems for Communications and Sensing (CSCS) | PD 26-7564
- Integrated Data Systems & Services (IDSS) | NSF 26-509
NIH Commons Forms Enforcement
Starting May 8, NIH will enforce the use of common forms for the biographical sketch, current and pending (other) support, and biographical sketch supplement for all application due dates and just-in-time (JIT), research performance progress report (RPPR), and prior approval submissions. System warnings will change to errors that will stop any submission not using compliant common forms.
All individuals submitting Common Forms to NIH must use SciENcv to produce digitally certified PDF(s).
Research Security Training (RST) Certification is now included in the common forms to ensure compliance with this requirement for due dates on or after May 25 (Research Security Training Requirements for NIH). If common forms were certified prior to the addition of this text but not yet submitted for a due date on or after May 25, the forms should be regenerated prior to submission.
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:
- May 28 | 2–3:30 p.m.
- June 17 | 2–3:30 p.m.
- July 15 | 2–3:30 p.m.
- August | no session
(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.
If you want to join this workshop, email Spandana Vemavarapu [email protected] to be added to the Google Calendar invitation.
Scheduled sessions:
May
- May 21 | noon-3 p.m.
- May 28 | noon-3 p.m.
June
- June 4 | 1-4 p.m.
- June 8 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- June 18 | noon-3 p.m.
- June 25 | noon-3 p.m.
July
- July 2 | noon-3 p.m.
- July 9 | noon-3 p.m.
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
The NSF BIO Virtual Office Hour Series provides updates from the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences on funding opportunities, program priorities, and topics relevant to the biological sciences research community.
Session Dates:
- May 21 | 1-2 p.m.
- June 10 | 1-2 p.m.
- June 17 | 1-2 p.m.
- July 16 | 1-2 p.m.
Register for the NSF BIO Virtual Office Hour Series
Industry Insight to Academic Partnerships
Industry Insight to Academic Partnerships is part of a five-part webinar series from Fast Forward Medical Innovation that explores how industry partners approach collaborations with academia, including partnership expectations, evaluation criteria, and strategies for building effective research collaborations.
- June 1 | noon–1 p.m.
Register for the Industry Insight to Academic Partnerships webinar
IP, Data and Publications in Industry-Sponsored Research
IP, Data, and Publications in Industry-Sponsored Research is part of a five-part webinar series from Fast Forward Medical Innovation that examines intellectual property, data management, and publication considerations in industry-sponsored research collaborations, with guidance on contracts, data sharing, and institutional compliance.
- July 21 | noon-1 p.m.
Register for the IP, Data, and Publications in Industry-Sponsored Research webinar
Research Resource Highlight
This month’s featured research resource is BRAID, a platform developed by the PIT-KN Lab that supports learning and collaboration in informal, unstructured environments.
Braid facilitates the conversion of tacit, localized insights often referred to as “unwritten rules” into explicit knowledge, enabling users to learn from one another’s vocational journeys. The platform recognizes that complex challenges cannot always be reduced to simple data points and that narratives, vignettes, and stories are often better suited to capturing multidimensional experiences and insights.
Designed to support experiential learning and other non-didactic teaching approaches, Braid provides prompts and a user-friendly interface that help users translate localized and experience-based knowledge into insights that others can learn from and apply.
Researchers interested in learning more about the PIT-KN Lab can visit the PIT-KN Lab at MIDAS.
Researchers can explore the BRAID platform at the BRAID Platform.
Limited Submissions and Internal Opportunities
NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program
- July 27 - Internal Deadline
- Nov. 16 - Anticipated Sponsor Deadline (currently waiting for a new solicitation)
- Funding: $100,000-$4,000,000
- Limit: 4
Macy Faculty Scholars Program 2027
- June 1 - Internal Deadline
- July 30 - Sponsor Deadline
- Funding: $250,000
- Limit: up to 3
Apply to the Macy Faculty Scholars Program through UMMS
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 for the Beckman Young Investigators (BYI) Program
Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator - Topic 3
- June 1 - Internal Deadline
- July 23 - Sponsor Deadlines
- Funding: see solicitation
- Limit: 1 full application
Submit a Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator Topic 3 application through OVPR.
Selected External Funding Opportunities
NIH New Generation of Glucose Control Technologies Incorporating AI/ML Tools/Strategies (R01, Clinical Trial Optional).
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research addressing barriers that limit progress toward more effective open- and closed-loop diabetes control systems.
- June 17 - Sponsor Deadline
- Funding: $500,000
NSF Engineering Environmental Resiliency (EER)
Supports fundamental research to advance resource and energy conservation and recovery, and to safeguard the natural environment and human health. Better use of domestic resources will help make U.S. manufacturing and energy systems more resilient and secure. EER projects advance artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum science and engineering; nanoengineering; microelectronics; and other national priorities.
- Sponsor Deadline: Full proposal accepted anytime
NSF Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE)
Supports the translation of open-source science and engineering-focused research products into safe and sustainable ecosystems that address national and societal challenges. Open-source tools such as software, hardware, machine learning models, languages, and data platforms are designed to be shared as they are publicly-accessible and modifiable. These tools spark innovation in critical fields as varied as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, banking, healthcare, research, education, next-gen manufacturing, mobility, and National security (including cybersecurity).
- Sponsor Deadlines:
- Sept. 1, First Tuesday in September, Annually Thereafter
- March 2, 2027, First Tuesday in March, Annually Thereafter
- Funding: $300,000 to $1,500,000
NEA Grants For Arts Projects
Activities funded through Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) enable Americans throughout the nation to experience the arts, foster and celebrate America’s artistic heritage and cultural legacy, and benefit from arts education at all stages of life. We also support arts and health programs, including creative arts therapies, that advance the well-being of people and communities.
- Sponsor Deadline: multiple deadlines
- Funding: varies by program
