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: Georges Ayoub
Project Title: Collaborative Research: Uncovering Ballistic Plasticity and Failure Mechanisms of Elastomeric Polymers
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $475,491
Elastomeric polymers are widely used in various industries, ranging from biomedical devices to automotive safety systems, due to their flexibility, durability, and ability to absorb energy. Dr Ayoub in collaboration with Dr. Youssef at University San Diego State University aim to uncover how elastomers behave when subjected to extremely high deformation rates, such as those experienced in ballistic or shock-loading environments. The project will contribute to training students in cutting-edge experimental and computational techniques, integrating research into engineering education, and promoting an exchange program between the two research laboratories. The combination of experimental discovery and theoretical modeling is expected to produce a fundamental shift in the understanding of polymer plasticity and damage evolution, with broad applications across manufacturing, defense, and biomedical fields.
Principal Investigator: Jaerock Kwon
Project Title: ERI: Predictive Neural Dynamics for Latency Mitigation in Autonomous Driving
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $200,000
Autonomous vehicles are regarded as a transformative technology with the potential to enhance safety, efficiency, and accessibility in transportation systems. However, a critical challenge, preventing their widespread adoption, is the delay between when sensors detect environmental changes and when the vehicle responds with appropriate actions. This project led by Dr. Kwon aims to address this fundamental challenge by developing intelligent systems that can predict what sensors will detect in the immediate future and prepare appropriate responses in advance, thereby effectively eliminating the negative effects of processing delays. The research has the potential to enhance the safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of autonomous vehicles, thereby facilitating their integration into society's transportation infrastructure. The project's interdisciplinary nature, conducted at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in the heart of the automotive industry, will provide unique opportunities for industry collaboration and student training in the fields of engineering and artificial intelligence, with the potential to extend beyond the realm of autonomous driving and further enhance various other applications, including remotely operated vehicles, delivery robots, and search-and-rescue systems.
Principal Investigator: Zhen Hu
Project Title: Collaborative Research: III: Small: Physics-Informed Probabilistic Health Forecasting for Risk-Based Decisions in Small-Data Environments
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $249,999
Many safety-critical engineered systems must remain reliable and safe throughout their intended lifetime to support both public safety and economic stability. System diagnostics plays a vital role in predicting future conditions and guide decisions to prevent unexpected failures or mitigate impacts. However, the existing forecasting methods often depend on large amounts of experimental data or real-world system failure data, which are difficult to obtain.
In this project, Dr. Zhen Hu, in collaboration with Dr. Chao Hu (University of Connecticut), will develop algorithms and tools that enable reliable system forecasting even in small-data environments; that is, environments that are characterized by imperfect physics, scarce experimental data, and system monitoring data. By probabilistic lifetime prediction, these tools will support rapid, risk-based decisions on quality control and maintenance long before degradation becomes obvious. Overall, this research lays the foundation for smarter early-life health management strategies that lower life cycle costs and extend service life, and in many cases, promote sustainable practices across industries.
Principal Investigator: Junho Hong
Project Title: RT-LAB based distributed resources modeling and machine learning based power system protection method design
Sponsor: Republic of Korea (South Korea) via Pohang University of Science & Technology (Postech)
Awarded Amount: $44,474
Using a Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) testbed—a laboratory setup that safely connects real energy devices to a simulated neighborhood-scale grid—this project develops AI methods to detect and explain faults in microgrids. By analyzing real-time electrical “vital signs,” both generative AI and established machine-learning models determine when an issue occurs, where it is located, and what likely caused it. The results enable faster troubleshooting, fewer outages, and more reliable integration of renewable resources, demonstrating how modern AI can strengthen everyday electric systems without altering existing equipment.
Research Events in September
NIH Grant Writing Sessions
- Approach the Approach: Hosted by the UMMS Grant Services and Analysis team, the goals of this workshop are to understand the elements of an Approach/Methods section, gain insights into common mistakes, and discuss tips to streamline and enhance clarity. Register by Sept. 3.
- Write Winning NIH R01 Proposals: UMMS welcomes back John Robertson, PhD, who will be presenting a widely acclaimed seminar that comprehensively addresses both practical and conceptual aspects that are important to the proposal-writing process. Register by Oct. 2.
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, Sept 17, 2:00-3:30 p.m., virtual
- Wednesday, Oct 15, 2:00-3:30 p.m., virtual
- Wednesday, Nov 19, 2:00-3:30 p.m., virtual
- Wednesday, Dec 17, 2:00-3:30 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 4: Thursday, September 18, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Clinical Trial Design: The Support Trial
- Session 5: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 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 12pm 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, September 26,12:00 p.m.: Maximizing Research Potential: Revising and Repurposing Proposals
- Friday, October 17, 12:00 p.m.: Enhancing Grant Proposals with AI: Practical Tips and Responsible Use
- Friday, November 21, 12:00 p.m.: Beyond the Proposal: Cultivating Strategic Funder Relationships
- Friday, December 19, 12:00 p.m.: DOE 101
Stay in Step with Your Funder - Research Security
Starting Oct. 1, all covered individuals — individuals who contribute in a substantive way to the development or execution of a project proposed for funding — listed on a proposal, contract or award for external funding must complete research security training no more than 12 months prior to U-M submitting the proposal, execution of the contract, or acceptance of the award. The training must be renewed annually for covered individuals on active awards. U-M employees and students who are covered individuals must complete the PEERRS Research Security Training module.
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.
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 October 22, from 11 AM to 12 PM 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 October 21 to secure your spot and receive the Zoom link.
Research Resource Highlight: Guidance on AI in Peer Review
Every month, the Office of Research features a resource and/or tool that is available for researchers. This month we are featuring the OVPR Guidance on AI in Peer Review.
New OVPR guidelines caution researchers to avoid using generative AI to assist with peer review. These new guidelines align with NIH and NSF policies.
While AI may create efficiencies in various proposal-related activities, it may also compromise confidentiality or incorporate bias. Commercially available platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Grok) lack sufficient privacy protections and may use any information uploaded to their sites to train their models, which raises intellectual property concerns. OVPR discourages the use of AI in peer review for all of the office’s internal funding programs. Read more here.
Upcoming Funding Opportunities
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 $1M. Proposals due: September 11, 2025; February 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 $1M 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.
