External Awards Received
The UM-Dearborn Office of Research is pleased to congratulate the following faculty members on receiving external funding for their research projects as follows:
Principal Investigator: Alan Argento
Project Title: Biomechanics of flow in the eyes' aqueous veins
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $589,056
Glaucoma affects over 3 million Americans, is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, and costs America $2.86 billion annually. The disease is characterized by damage to the optic nerve tissues, usually caused by high eye pressure resulting from overproduction of the eye's aqueous fluid, or from the eye's inability to remove the fluid. In this project, Argento, in collaboration with Xu and Kim will study the veins in the eye that participate in the removal of aqueous and thereby help regulate pressure. The resulting knowledge could lead to improved treatments and better informed decision-making about surgical intervention.
U-M Principal Investigator: Van Hai Bui
Project Title: MRI: Track 1 Acquisition of Hierarchical Testing Framework for Power and Energy Systems Supporting Multidisciplinary Research and Education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $380,338
This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award will support the acquisition of a hierarchical testing framework that will significantly advance multidisciplinary research, education, and training in electrical, computer, robotics, mechanical, and industrial engineering. It will offer broad access to faculty and students, delivering hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, while also benefiting external collaborators from academia and industry across Metro Detroit. The framework will strengthen UM-Dearborn's regional and national impact by accelerating innovation in smart grids, energy storage, electric vehicles, and power electronics and serve as a critical catalyst for expanding UM-Dearborn's research infrastructure and workforce development initiatives in the rapidly evolving power and energy sector.
Principal Investigator: Lei Chen
Project Title: Collaborative Research: Improving Zero-Shot Learning of Manufacturing Anomalies by Leveraging Textual Sources
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $185,000
In advanced manufacturing systems, anomalies such as unexpected deviations from normal process behavior can lead to defective products or production disruptions. In this project, Chen in collaboration with Wang from Florida State University seek to address this gap by developing an intelligent system that learns from existing engineering knowledge embedded in texts and images in professional documents to detect new and unforeseen anomalies. Furthermore, the project will engage STEM students in cutting-edge research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, natural language processing and manufacturing engineering. Through engagement with industry partners, students will gain hands-on experience with real-world challenges, preparing them for the advanced manufacturing workforce. In addition, industry seminars with 3D printer suppliers and automakers will support long-term technology transfer.
Principal Investigator: Hugo Casquero
Project Title: Improving quality of hexahedral meshes using learning-based methods
Sponsor: Honda Motor, Co.
Award Amount: $15,000
In automotive engineering, the use of finite element analysis (FEA) to analyze solids is highly widespread. The use of FEA can heavily decrease the cost and the time-to-market of a new product by substituting a large portion of the experimental testing with numerical simulations. However, a major bottleneck remains in the design-through-analysis cycle. Namely, the geometric representations used in computer-aided design (CAD) and in FEA are different. Specifically, in order to use FEA software, a mesh needs to be built using the CAD geometry as input. Mesh generation can take up to 80% of the time spent by engineers in the design-through-analysis cycle. This project aims at automatically improving the mesh quality of a hexahedral mesh using machine learning.
U-M Principal Investigator: Zhen Hu
Project Title: Optimizing Machine Learning Deployments: A Framework for Scalability and Quality Assurance
Sponsor: Hottinger Bruel & Kjaer Solutions LLC
Award Amount: $50,000
In this project, Hu will develop a scalable and robust machine learning framework suitable for real-world deployment. The research team will conduct a comprehensive investigation and deliver actionable recommendations for the effective and scalable implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) models. This includes both purely data-driven models and hybrid approaches that integrate physics-based simulations with data-driven techniques to ensure reliable production environments. The outcomes of this research are broadly applicable to engineering systems in which both physics-based simulations and machine learning models play a critical role in supporting decision-making.
Principal Investigator: Youngki Kim
Project Title: Development of a Driver Propensity Model for Enhanced Energy Consumption Prediction in Electric Vehicles
Sponsor: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI)
Award Amount: $130,000
The objective of the proposed research is to develop a data-driven approach to predict driver style and its impact on overall magnitude of an EV’s energy consumption.
U-M Principal Investigator: Kyoung Hyun Kwak
Project Title: Experimental Characterization of Heat Generation Rates in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Direct Sponsor: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI)
Award Amount: $50,000
Kwak’s team will conduct battery testing for characterizing Li-ion battery heat generation under various charging conditions. The experiments will be designed to account for ambient temperatures, starting SOC, and C-rate, and will be performed under pressurized conditions.
Announcements
Stay in Step with Your Funder - Research Security
Starting Oct. 1, all U-M investigators listed on an eRPM PAF, AWD or MOD record requiring approval from the ORSP must have completed the PEERRS Research Security Training (RST) module within the past 12 months. This requirement also applies to any other senior/key personnel or “covered individuals,” as defined by the sponsor in the solicitation. For non-UM subcontract personnel, Sponsored Programs Office staff at the subcontracting institution must certify that their institution's covered individuals have completed research security training.
U-M requires research security training to ensure compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies. The requirement applies to all externally sponsored funding. ORSP will enforce the requirement starting Oct.1, 2025.
Take Action Now! Notify your investigators and covered individuals to complete the 1-hour PEERRS RST module to avoid delays with PAF submission and AWD/MOD processing. After Oct. 1, PAFs won't be approved and AWDs/MODs will go on compliance hold unless the RST training is complete.
Note: The PEERRS DoJ Bulk Data Regulations Training module is separate from the RST module. For PAF approval, only the RST module is required. However, both modules must be completed to avoid compliance holds on AWD and MOD records.
eResearch Investigator Attestation Language Revisions
Effective on Sept. 29, investigators asked to electronically sign the following forms or records in eResearch may notice changes to the attestation language. In order to clarify our compliance with university policies, federal research sponsor requirements and investigator disclosure obligations related to Intellectual Property, an additional bullet has been added to the attestation for Investigator Sign activities for Proposal Approval Forms, Awards, Award Change Requests, and Unfunded Agreements.
The new bullet states:
“Duty to promptly contact Innovation Partnerships with any information that a patent application was (or may, in the future, be) filed by another entity (such as a company or another university) that names you as an inventor, if such a filing was not already disclosed to and approved by Innovation Partnerships.”
Changes coming to Budget Justification Nov. 1
New budget justification language will be required effective Nov. 1, 2025. The following language must be included on any budget justification document sent to all sponsors:
“University of Michigan certifications of compliance are based on reasonable knowledge of programs authorized and supervised by the University of Michigan as of the date of signing. University policy is to operate federally supported research and programs in compliance with all applicable grant terms and conditions, consistent with current laws, regulations, and related court decisions. The University regularly examines programs, policies, and activities for compliance with university policy and federal and state law. The University’s ongoing compliance processes include monitoring, audits, a compliance hotline, and training. The University takes prompt corrective action when it has direct knowledge of non-compliance with policy or applicable law.”
PAFs will be returned for a “Required Change” if the above language is not in the budget justification document.
Research Events in September
Fit check: finding a suitable data repository
- Oct. 8, 1-2 p.m.:Learn about the Deep Blue Data repository, including what data the repository works with, how to include it in your data management plan, and how to deposit data.
Nov. 13, 11-12 p.m.: Learn about the ICPSR data repository, including what data the repository works with, how to include it in your data management plan, and how to deposit data.
Dec. 4, 1-2 p.m.: Learn about the Open Science Framework (OSF) data repository, including what data the repository works with, how to include it in your data management plan, and how to deposit data.
U-M I-Corps course
NSF I-CORPS Hub Great Lakes RegionI-Corps provides a set of skills and entrepreneurial knowledge that can be applied to any career path. It uses the Lean LaunchPad method to give participants a working knowledge of how to think about their innovation ideas from a business and customer perspective, as well as how to conduct customer discovery interviews, the first step in any commercialization process. This free, online course is for faculty, researchers, postdocs and students interested in practicing and honing their innovation skills. Learn more and register.
IRB-HSBS, IRB On-the-Road Drop-In Session for UM-Dearborn
Elizabeth Molina, the UM-Dearborn Health and Services and Behavioral Sciences Institutional Review Board (IRB-HSBS) liaison will be resuming the virtual “IRB On-the-Road” sessions once a month for any Dearborn study team members who would like to have a one-on-one discussion about any questions they may have about the IRB process. Join her on the third Wednesday of each month, September through December:
- Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2-3:30 p.m., virtual
- Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2-3:30 p.m., virtual
- Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2-3:30 p.m., virtual
MICHR - Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR4K) Summer 2025
RCR4K is a seminar that is designed to meet the requirements of the NIH K-23, or any federal or non-federal career development grant. The 5-session (10 hour) seminar is mostly interactive, practice-based, and focused on addressing RCR issues (ethics, integrity, and regulatory matters) that have arisen in the course of your own funded research. It’s relevant, interactive, and includes mentoring from experienced faculty.
- Session 5: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, 9-11 a.m. - Public Health Research, and Research with data and specimens: Henrietta Lacks and the Common Rule debate. Location: UM-Ann Arbor North Campus Research Complex, Bldg. 300, Room 376. Register here
ORD; Grant Prix Seminar Series - Fall 2025
Join the OVPR Research Development team for their Fall Grant Prix Seminar Series, designed to enhance your grant writing skills and boost your chances of securing funding! Held every month on Friday at noon via Zoom, these seminars will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for developing successful research proposals.
Please choose the sessions you would like to attend below. After you sign up, a calendar invite will be shared with a zoom link. All sessions will be recorded and slides shared in our Google Drive (use umich for login). Register here
- Friday, Oct. 17, noon: Enhancing Grant Proposals with AI: Practical Tips and Responsible Use
- Friday, Nov. 21, noon: Beyond the Proposal: Cultivating Strategic Funder Relationships
- Friday, Dec. 19, noon: DOE 101
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Information Session
Register for "Empowering Research: Insights into the American Association for Cancer Research's Funding Programs for Faculty," a virtual event co-hosted by AACR and Michigan Medicine. This information session will take place on Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to noon EDT via Zoom. The focus will be on the Foundation's funding programs, offering valuable insights into the grants and initiatives that propel research and innovation in the field of cancer research. You will hear directly from AACR staff and Michigan Medicine team members who have worked directly with the Foundation. Don't miss this unique opportunity to engage with experts and discover how these funding programs function. RSVP here by Oct. 21 to secure your spot and receive the Zoom link.
Research Resource Highlight: Takeaways from NIH Fall Advisory Councils
Every month, the Office of Research features a resource and/or tool that is available for researchers. This month we are featuring the OVPR Strategic Intelligence Team updates on NIH.
OVPR’s Strategic Intelligence team is compiling takeaways from NIH fall advisory councils that may help highlight themes to watch, track changing processes and anticipate funding developments. The link is password-protected using your @umich.edu login. Updates are being added on a rolling basis, so consider bookmarking and checking back through late October as council meetings continue. The document should not be shared outside U-M.
NIH’s Highlighted Research Topics page provides guidance for researchers seeking NIH funding by showcasing areas of particular interest across NIH Institutes and Centers. The site features lists of priority research topics and initiatives, and includes resources identifying where research ideas best fit within the NIH's funding landscape.
Learn more about NIH instrumentation grants during NIH’s S10 office hours (Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m.).
NIH plans to launch preview versions of the NIH Common Forms within SciENcv. Users can access preview versions of the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Forms and the NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement on SciENcv. These previews will allow users to save, reopen and edit the preview forms in the SciENcv module. However, the download PDF functionality will be disabled before the official transition to NIH Common Forms this November.
Upcoming Funding Opportunities
Graham Sustainability Institute Catalyst Grants
The Graham Sustainability Institute’s catalyst grants (up to $15,000 each) fund 12-month cross-disciplinary, engaged research efforts that address critical sustainability challenges. The application cycle is now open. Faculty may use these grants for the following purposes:
- To develop new collaborative research ideas;
- To produce solution-oriented knowledge;
- To apply knowledge for societal impact.
Applications from all disciplines are welcome, including STEM fields, social sciences, professional schools, humanities, and the arts. Faculty from the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses are eligible to serve as Principal Investigator (PI) and should submit application materials through the online portal. A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required by Oct. 13, 2025.
Follow this link for more information about Graham's Sustainability Catalyst Grant Program.
Bold Challenges opportunity: AI & Manufacturing
Sponsored by the AI Institutes at Michigan (AIIM) and OVPR, the Bold Challenges initiative will pilot “Seed-Networking” – two speed-networking events to seed potential new collaborations around the theme of AI & Manufacturing.
These events will convene multidisciplinary faculty to learn about their colleagues’ interests and expertise, to probe challenges and questions, and to consider new and complementary approaches to their work on AI and manufacturing. Participants will be eligible for $5,000 seed grants to continue exploring their ideas and prospective partnerships.
Seed-Networking events will take place on Nov. 13 at the Michigan League Hussey Room, 1:30-3 p.m. and 3:30-5 p.m. Space is limited; the sessions are only open to U-M faculty, and each faculty member may only register for one event. Learn more and register. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
IRWG Faculty Seed Grants
The IRWG Faculty Seed Grant program supports research on women, gender and sexuality. Grants up to $7,500 are available for both individual and collaborative projects. Faculty and librarians affiliated with IRWG, including tenure-track, non-tenure track, clinical and research faculty, are eligible to apply. Learn more and apply by Oct. 27.
NEW NSF Translation to Practice (TTP) program
The Translation to Practice (TTP) program supports use-inspired research, translational activities and partnerships that turn scientific discoveries into real-world solutions. Researchers can gain market insights, launch commercial applications and/or facilitate industry adoption. The program offers three tracks, each with different requirements, focus, and funding levels.
Interested researchers should read the program solicitation and get in touch with the UM-Dearborn research development team with any questions related to applying.
NEW NSF Computer and Information Science and Engineering: Future Computing Research (Future CoRe) program
The new NSF Future CoRe program supports research and education projects that develop new knowledge in all aspects of computing, communications, and information science and engineering through the following Future Computing Research (Future CoRe) programs. Funding amount: up to $1 million. Proposals due: Feb. 5, 2026
ONR Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics(STEM) Education and Workforce Program
The ONR STEM program supports STEM education programs and activities, which are formal or informal education primarily focused on physical and natural sciences, technology, engineering, social sciences, and mathematics disciplines, topics, or issues. Funding amount: up to $1 million per year. Proposal due: June 30, 2026.
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The Office of Research maintains a list of selected funding opportunities, organized by college, on our website under Announcements. In addition, we encourage you to check out the Hanover Research subject area calendars with funding opportunities, uploaded on a regular basis to our website.
Please refer to OVPR’s Tracking Federal Changes 2025 page for more information and updates related to the Trump administration's changes to federal research funding.
Use the updated U-M Research Commons to look up internal (to U-M) funding opportunities and Limited Submission opportunities open to Dearborn researchers.
Contact the UM-Dearborn Office of Research if you would like more information about submitting a proposal to any of the programs.
