Last Updated: 10/22/2026

Funding Opportunity: NASA Releases Space Technology Solicitations & DOC Releases In-space Economy Report

Please find below an update on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Commerce (DOC) space technology funding and policy developments. This month, NASA’s Research and Technology Mission Directorate released two research opportunities under its SpaceTech REDDI 2026 announcement, and DOC published a report on building a circular economy in space.

 

The new Space Technology Research Institute (STRI) solicitation will fund one university-led institute at up to $13 million over five years to advance Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) design. The institute will identify and mitigate RDRE performance losses and develop validated modeling tools, culminating in a test of a liquid oxygen/methane thrust chamber producing at least 5,000 pounds of thrust and achieving at least 3 percent higher specific impulse than a comparable conventional engine. Only U.S. institutions of higher education may lead, and teams must include at least three universities, each receiving at least 15 percent of the total budget. New this year, a cost share of at least 1 percent is required. Mandatory preliminary proposals are due November 3, 2026, with invited full proposals due January 21, 2027.

 

NASA also released its FY 2027 NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I solicitation. It will support 12 to 16 nine-month feasibility studies of up to $225,000 each, exploring visionary aerospace concepts aimed at missions ten or more years in the future. NIAC highlights emerging priority areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum sensing, advanced nuclear technologies, and robotics. All U.S. organizations are eligible, and no cost share is required. Step A proposals are due October 28, 2026, and invited Step B proposals are due January 13, 2027.

 

Separately, the DOC Office of Space Commerce and the National Institute of Standards and Technology published Building an In-Space Circular Economy. The report outlines the policy, financial, infrastructure, and materials advances needed to move space operations from single-use missions toward servicing, repair, reuse, and recycling.

 

The full writeup is available here: Funding Opportunity NASA Releases FY 2026 Space Technology Research Programs and DOC Space Commerce Report.pdf

Funding and Engagement Opportunities: October Energy Snapshot

Please find below an update on Department of Energy (DOE) funding and engagement opportunities. This month, DOE launched the Genesis Mission Pilot Fellowship, made several partnership announcements aligned with the Genesis Mission, and made a variety of additional Genesis Mission awards. In addition, the Office of Science released their FY27 Open Call, and NE, CMEI, and OTC have released several funding solicitations. Included in the snapshot is also a look at new programs and initiatives launched by DOE and expected future opportunities.

 

Lewis-Burke will provide more detailed information as DOE continues to develop future solicitations.

 

The full writeup is available here: Energy Snapshot October 2026 – Focused Opportunity Roundup.pdf

Engagement Opportunity: NASEM Committee on the future of DOE BES User Facilities

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES), in collaboration with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), is launching an effort to help shape the future of BES user facilities beyond 2035. A new NASEM standing committee will convene workshops and webinars to gather perspectives from across the scientific community and provide guidance on future large-scale research capabilities, including light sources, neutron sources, and other BES user facilities. Specifically, the committee will explore scientific questions relevant to the BES mission including (1) cutting-edge and cross-cutting scientific research directions, (2) potential infrastructure limitations that could impede research on these questions, and (3) opportunities for DOE to reduce research barriers in the future.

The National Academies is currently seeking approximately 15 volunteer committee members, as well as suggestions for expert speakers, workshop participants, and peer reviewers. Expert scientists and engineers in the basic energy sciences, and early-career scientists, are encouraged to participate. This is an opportunity to be involved in shaping the future of BES investments, and Lewis-Burke encourages interested parties to apply or nominate strong candidates. The deadline for nominations is October 26, 2026. More information and the nomination form can be found here.

Engagement Opportunities: Federal Advisory Committee Nomination Opportunities (October 16, 2026)

Please see below for the latest list of Federal Advisory Committee Nomination openings. Opportunities are currently available across the following committees:

• Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation and Access Council, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Department of the Interior (DOI)
• Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee for Vehicle Lighting, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT)
• Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committees and Panels – Voting Members, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committees and Panels – Consumer Representatives, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The full writeup is available here: Federal Advisory Committee Nomination Opportunities October 16, 2026.pdf

Agency Update: NIH Releases RFI on Reducing Administrative Burden in NIH Extramural Research

On October 8, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a request for information (RFI) seeking comments from the biomedical research community identifying possible reforms to ease the administrative burden of obtaining, maintaining, and reporting on NIH extramural research funding. The NIH continues to recognize the importance of certain requirements in maintaining effective oversight and stewardship of scientific research, while acknowledging that some requirements create an unnecessary burden on the research community. The agency also recognizes that many of these burdens can disproportionately affect early-career investigators, smaller institutions, and organizations with lower-resourced grant administration infrastructure. The suggestions could include induvial agency requirements that are unnecessary, but also more fundamental research administration processes.

The RFI seeks comments on the following aspects of the research award lifecycle:

• Requirements that could be simplified, eliminated, or moved.
• Reduction of duplications and consistency improvements.
• Increased utilization of technology and existing information.
• Elimination of requirements, guidance, or systems that create uncertainty or confusion.
• Reduction of burden on investigators, institutions, or NIH staff.
• Opportunities for additional clarity.
• Eliminating unnecessary reporting requirements.

NIH requests that respondents identify the current process, the burden it creates, and a potential solution. Examples of burden-reduction approaches at other federal agencies are also welcome. Responses may be submitted electronically to Request For Information: Opportunities to Reduce Administrative Burden in NIH Extramural Research by December 8, 2026.

Policy Update: Early Implementation of a New Golden Age of Science Priorities

Please find below an analysis of major themes, federal agency initiatives, and implications for the research community from the October 8 New Golden Age of Science Summit in Washington, DC.  The event brought together over 200 representatives from federal science agencies, academia, industry, national laboratories, nonprofit organizations, think tanks, philanthropy, and venture capital. The summit outlined White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Michael Kratsios’s vision for science policy and the Administration’s first steps toward implementing the July 2026 Science: A New Golden Age report. More than a dozen announcements affecting key federal science agencies were focused on advancing four priorities: preparing the scientific workforce for AI-driven science, including autonomous laboratories; strengthening STEM workforce programs, especially for early-career scientists; pursuing ambitious national science and technology missions; and encouraging the creation of new scientific institutions.  The attached document provides more information on award announcements, new and upcoming federal funding opportunities, and proposed changes to grant-making.

The full writeup is available here: Policy Update – Early Implementation of A New Golden Age of Science Priorities.pdf

 

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Funding Opportunity: DOE Releases FY 2027 Open Call

Please find below Lewis-Burke’s analysis of the Department of Energy (DOE) fiscal year (FY) 2027 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program (Open Call).  Of note, a majority of this $400 million is set aside to fund activities under this open call over multiple years and extends funding for current awards, meaning that DOE has about $100 million in the FY 2027 solicitation for new awards. Keeping in track with the FY 2026 solicitation, DOE is using the open call as one of the primary vehicles to directly fund research university proposals, especially for single Principal Investigators and small research groups. Funding can also be used to support workshops and roundtables. Please closely review the listed target dates for pre-application and application for proposals to be considered for funding in FY 2027.

For ease of reference, in addition to the traditional open call analysis, Lewis-Burke has developed a Quick Guide for tracking target dates as a companion resource.

The full writeup is available here: Quick Guide – DOE FY 2027 Open Call Target Dates.pdf

Funding Opportunity: DOE Releases $100 Million Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship Pilot Program

On October 8, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science (SC) released a $100 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) soliciting applications from U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to establish a four-year doctoral training pilot for students to develop dual competencies in artificial intelligence (AI), also referred to as super intelligence (SI), and key scientific disciplines. In support of the broader Genesis Mission, DOE intends for this program to address workforce needs by implementing an accelerated pathway for students to receive Ph.D.-level training that integrates advanced AI capabilities and methods with deep domain expertise across the DOE-related Genesis Mission National Science & Technology Challenges. Within this accelerated training program, DOE will require Pilots to include research experiences at both National Laboratories and with industry partners. DOE aims to produce an initial cohort of 100 Genesis Mission Graduate Fellows in four years. Letters of Intent are due November 9, 2026.

The full writeup is available here: Funding Opportunity – DOE Releases Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship Pilot.pdf

Funding Opportunity: NASA Releases Space Technology Solicitations & DOC Releases In-space Economy Report

Please find attached an update on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Commerce (DOC) space technology funding and policy developments. This month, NASA’s Research and Technology Mission Directorate released two research opportunities under its SpaceTech REDDI 2026 announcement, and DOC published a report on building a circular economy in space.

The new Space Technology Research Institute (STRI) solicitation will fund one university-led institute at up to $13 million over five years to advance Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) design. The institute will identify and mitigate RDRE performance losses and develop validated modeling tools, culminating in a test of a liquid oxygen/methane thrust chamber producing at least 5,000 pounds of thrust and achieving at least 3 percent higher specific impulse than a comparable conventional engine. Only U.S. institutions of higher education may lead, and teams must include at least three universities, each receiving at least 15 percent of the total budget. New this year, a cost share of at least 1 percent is required. Mandatory preliminary proposals are due November 3, 2026, with invited full proposals due January 21, 2027.

NASA also released its FY 2027 NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I solicitation. It will support 12 to 16 nine-month feasibility studies of up to $225,000 each, exploring visionary aerospace concepts aimed at missions ten or more years in the future. NIAC highlights emerging priority areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum sensing, advanced nuclear technologies, and robotics. All U.S. organizations are eligible, and no cost share is required. Step A proposals are due October 28, 2026, and invited Step B proposals are due January 13, 2027.

Separately, the DOC Office of Space Commerce and the National Institute of Standards and Technology published Building an In-Space Circular Economy. The report outlines the policy, financial, infrastructure, and materials advances needed to move space operations from single-use missions toward servicing, repair, reuse, and recycling.

The full writeup is available here: Funding Opportunity NASA Releases FY 2026 Space Technology Research Programs and DOC Space Commerce Report.pdf

Agency Update: FDA Seeks Public Input to Support Psychedelic Drug Development

On October 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a request for information (RFI) seeking comments, data, and information on specific protocol elements to advance ibogaine drug development as the agency considers designs of early-phase clinical trials. Comments received by the public will help inform FDA’s understanding of the uses, benefits, and risks of ibogaine drug products, as well as the agency’s approach to psychedelic drug development.

The RFI is a continuation of the FDA’s action on President Trump’s April 2026 executive order (EO) on Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness, which directs federal agencies to accelerate psychedelic medicine research. In particular, the EO points to the potential of psychedelic drugs such as ibogaine in treating cases of serious mental illness among patients that have not been responsive to existing treatments. The RFI also aligns with broader efforts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to advance psychedelic drug development focused on two initial populations: adults with opioid use disorders (OUD) and adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The RFI seeks comments across four elemental areas:

• General study design.
• Dose selection and escalation.
• Safety considerations.
• Ethical and oversight considerations.

Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments electronically at regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FDA-2026-N-10429. More information on the RFI can be found here. The comment period closes on Friday, November 20, 2026.

Funding Opportunity: ARPA-H Announces New SURPASS Program to Modernize Clinical Trials

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) recently announced its new Simulation-augmented, Real-time Platform Adaptive Seamless Trials (SURPASS) program which “aims to modernize today’s clinical trials so they can evaluate drugs and biologics faster, at lower cost, and with fewer participants than conventional approaches.” In particular, SURPASS will support projects that can establish sustainable, adaptive platforms that leverage predictive computational models, shared trial infrastructure, common control groups, and real-time analysis to improve decision-making and accelerate the drug development process.

ARPA-H will be hosting two optional opportunities to convene interested parties and provide a platform to ask questions and make connections. The first event is an informational webinar on October 15, 2026, with a registration deadline of October 12, 2026. ARPA-H will also be hosting a hybrid Proposer’s Day in Washington, DC on November 6, 2026, with a registration deadline of October 28, 2026. To register for one or both of these events, please find more information here.

Following these opportunities, a required Solution Summary will be due on November 30, 2026. ARPA-H will provide additional feedback to proposers before inviting full proposals due on January 22, 2027.

Funding Opportunity: NOAA Releases Coastal Flood Protection Research Program

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released a new research program seeking to improve coastal flood protection through public-private partnerships, innovative insurance products, and improved sediment management. Solicited through NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Competitive Research Program, one to six projects are expected to be funded between $500,000 and $2 million per year, with no cost share required. With an estimated project start date of September 1, 2027, projects may be awarded up to four years, though shorter-term project proposals are encouraged. Successful projects will support state-of-the-art information and products to advance the use of natural infrastructure for coastal flood protection. Applications should address one or more of the following priority areas:

• Priority 1: Improve product delivery through the private sector
• Priority 2: Innovating insurance mechanisms for natural coastal flood defense
• Priority 3: Supporting sediment management practices

Eligibility is open to institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits, state and local, and tribal governments, and federal applicants (including NOAA) which may receive funds from another agency. The funding opportunity details specific instructions for NOAA Cooperative Institute (NOAA) or Cooperative Ecosystem Study Unit (CESU) applicants. Multiorganizational partnerships are necessary to be competitive for the opportunity. Letters of intent are due to nccos.grant.awards@noaa.gov by November 9, 2026, with full applications due by February 12, 2027. An informational webinar on the solicitation will be offered on October 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET, with the meeting link to be posted here.

The full writeup is available here: Funding Opportunity – NOAA Releases Coastal Flood Protection Research Program.pdf

 

Engagement Opportunity: FDA Launches Nationwide Effort to Fill Advisory Committee Vacancies

On September 30, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a nationwide recruitment effort to bring 230 new scientific experts and consumer representatives to its advisory committees. These committees convene scientific experts such as physicians, researchers, and biostatisticians, as well as patient and consumer advocates, to evaluate evidence on FDA-regulated products and help the agency make informed decisions on behalf of the American public.

Candidates in numerous fields, such as oncology, cardiovascular medicine, neurology, genetics, medical devices, and others, are encouraged to submit applications through the FDA Advisory Committee Membership Nomination portal.

Nominees for scientific and technical positions must be able to demonstrate expertise in the subject matter topic of the relevant advisory committee. They must also be able to interpret complex scientific information, understand the public health significance of issues before the relevant committee, and possess the ability to provide objective and independent advice. Consumer representative nominees should be able to demonstrate affiliation with or participation in relevant consumer or community-based organizations, possess the ability to analyze technical data, weigh pros and cons, and evaluate product safety and efficacy from the perspective of the public. In addition to self-nominations, nominations may also be submitted by independent supporters on behalf of candidates, and there is no limit on the number of nominations or committees that may be submitted for.

All candidates for advisory committees will be required to submit a completed curriculum vitae; an acknowledgment and consent form; a written confirmation that the nominee is aware of the nomination (unless self-nominated); and for consumer representative applications, include a cover letter that lists consumer or community organizations for which the nominee can demonstrate active participation. Potential candidates will also be asked to provide detailed information concerning their financial holdings, employment, and research grants and/or contracts in order to determine potential conflicts of interest.

Nominees will be considered on a rolling basis for current and anticipated vacancies, although priority consideration will be given to consumer representative applications submitted by November 15, 2026, as well as to scientific and technical voting member positions submitted by November 30, 2026. Applications received after those dates will be considered for later vacancies as they arise. Members will serve terms of up to four years. Please find information below on specific FDA advisory committee vacancies that are currently available at the time of this notice’s writing, and the links include further information on expertise required for each vacancy:

• Blood, Vaccines, Biological Products Committee Vacancies
  • Blood Products Advisory Committee – Seven Vacancies
  • Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee – Nine Vacancies
  • Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee – Ten Vacancies

 

• Drug Products Committee Vacancies
  • Anesthetic and Analgesic Drugs Advisory Committee – Four Vacancies
  • Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee – Ten Vacancies
  • Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee – Three Vacancies
  • Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee – Ten Vacancies
  • Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee – Four Vacancies
  • Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee – Six Vacancies
  • Genetic Metabolic Diseases Advisory Committee – Seven Vacancies
  • Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee – Nine Vacancies
  • Obstetrics, Reproductive, and Urologic Drugs Advisory Committee – Six Vacancies
  • Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee – Ten Vacancies
  • Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Committee – Three Vacancies
  • Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee – Six Vacancies
  • Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee – Four Vacancies

 

• Medical Devices and Radiation-Emitting Products Committee Vacancies
  • Device Good Manufacturing Practice Advisory Committee – Nine Vacancies
  • Technical Electronic Product Radiation Standards Advisory Committee – Fifteen Vacancies
  • Medical Devices Advisory Committee
    • Anesthesiology and Respiratory Therapy Devices Panel – Two Vacancies
    • Circulatory System Devices Panel – Two Vacancies
    • Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Toxicology Devices Panel – Five Vacancies
    • Dental Products Devices Panel – Three Vacancies
    • Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Panel – Two Vacancies
    • Gastroenterology and Urology Devices Panel – Five Vacancies
    • General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel – Five Vacancies
    • General Hospital and Personal Use Devices Panel – Five Vacancies
    • Hematology and Pathology Devices Panel – Five Vacancies
    • Immunology Devices Panel – Seven Vacancies
    • Medical Devices Dispute Resolution Panel – Six Vacancies
    • Microbiology Devices Panel – Seven Vacancies
    • Molecular and Clinical Genetics Panel – Four Vacancies
    • Neurological Devices Panel – Four Vacancies
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology Devices Panel – Four Vacancies
    • Ophthalmic Devices Panel – Seven Vacancies
    • Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel – Four Vacancies
    • Radiological Devices Panel – Five Vacancies

 

• Science Board to the FDA, Risk Communication, and Pediatrics Vacancies
  • Science Board to the Food and Drug Administration – Fourteen Vacancies
  • Pediatrics Advisory Committee – One vacancy
• Tobacco Advisory Committee Vacancies
  • Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee – One vacancy

Engagement Opportunities: Federal Advisory Committee Nomination Opportunities (September 28, 2026)

Please see the latest list of Federal Advisory Committee Nomination openings. Opportunities are currently available across the following committees:

• National Vaccine Advisory Committee, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• National Geospatial Advisory Committee, US Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior (DOI) 
• Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Department of the Interior (DOI)
• National Assessment Governing Board, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Department of Education (ED)

The full writeup is available here: Federal Advisory Committee Nomination Opportunities September 28, 2026.pdf

 

Policy Update: Executive Order on Disease-Carrying Pests

On September 29, President Trump signed an executive order, Eliminating Disease-Carrying Pests and Restoring Enjoyment of the Great Outdoors. It makes it federal policy to suppress tick and mosquito populations through non-chemical, technology-enabled approaches: habitat management, natural predators, sterile insect techniques, and biotechnology-based control tools. It also calls for better diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes, including Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome, West Nile, and dengue. The centerpiece is a Washington, D.C. demonstration. Within 60 days (on or about November 28), Interior, USDA, EPA, and GSA, consulting with HHS, must develop and launch a campaign to cut invasive mosquitoes (Asian tiger and Aedes aegypti) by 90 percent and ticks by 50 percent across D.C. by 2028. The campaign is meant to serve as a model for national expansion.

On the same timeline, EPA must deliver a regulatory framework for releasing sterilized, genetically modified, and bacteria-based control technologies into the environment. That framework is to draw on academic centers and industry and align with EO 14292 on biological research safety. EPA must also speed registration of new products it finds safe and effective. Within 90 days (on or about December 28), HHS and USDA must each issue prize competitions under 15 U.S.C. 3719 or direct research programs. HHS’s focus is diagnostics, preventives, and treatments, building on what the order calls the Lyme Disease Moonshot, plus a research agenda for alpha-gal immunotherapies. USDA’s focus is non-chemical control methods.

The EPA framework explicitly asks for input from academic centers. However, it goes directly to the President rather than through a public comment process, so the window for input is informal and short. Institutions and societies with expertise in vector biology, entomology, and biotechnology regulation should contact EPA, USDA, and HHS now. The D.C. campaign’s preference for commercial partners and cooperative agreements may open partnership opportunities for area institutions. Whether HHS and USDA choose prizes or research programs also matters: prizes reward results rather than fund the research behind them, which tends to favor product-ready teams over basic science. On funding, Section 3(f) only directs agencies to review available resources with OMB, and the order is subject to appropriations. Implementation will therefore likely draw on existing accounts, which could squeeze current research portfolios on these diseases.

 

The government is operating under a continuing resolution at largely current levels through December 11 (P.L. 119-103). The 90-day deliverables will therefore land during the post-election push to finish FY2027 funding. That is a window to seek report language that funds these priorities without displacing existing research. Researchers working on conventional insecticides, insecticide resistance, or gene drives should also note two things: the order’s emphasis on non-chemical methods, and that EPA’s framework goes to the President through the Homeland Security Advisor, under EO 14292’s biosafety framing.

NOTE: The policy landscape is rapidly changing. Everything written is to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing on October 2, 2026. As the fiscal year just ended, both the House and Senate are on recess ahead of the November midterm elections, leaving the appropriations process largely stalled. The Senate has yet to advance its 12 annual appropriations bills, while the government is operating under a continuing resolution (CR) through December 11. With relatively few legislative days remaining before that deadline, Congress will need to either complete full-year appropriations or extend the CR to avoid a funding lapse. Meanwhile, the appropriations process has been complicated by the White House Office of Management and Budget’s late-September proposal to rescind $810 million across 11 accounts. While the package has limited direct implications for environmental research, the dispute has broader implications for congressional control of appropriated funds. On September 29, the Government Accountability Office concluded that the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 does not permit the Administration to withhold the affected funds beyond the end of FY2026 unless Congress rescinds them. The executive agencies and departments with multi-year funds continue to work towards obligating their remaining FY 2026 resources, while implementing White House science and technology priorities. For environmental and life-science researchers, new opportunities are emerging: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Climate Program Office recently announced a $10 million Earth System Science and Services Partnerships focused on research, observations, and modeling; NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science also put out their competitive research program focused on coastal resilience; the National Science Foundation is also expanding its X-Labs initiative and has announced a forthcoming “Sequence to Function” topic focused on biological engineering. Simultaneously, the Administration is also advancing a range of actions under 2026 Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda including actions affecting environmental and agricultural regulation. The White House also has released several Executive Orders that aim to address vector borne disease as well as a series of environmental topics including land conservation, invasive species, and water quality linked to the Make America Beautiful Again Initiative.

Farm Bill Advances in Senate as Congress Works Toward Reauthorization The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its Farm Bill on September 16 in a 12-11 party-line vote, with the return of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) providing Republicans the vote needed to move the legislation out of committee. The bill now heads to the Senate floor, though limited legislative time before the midterm elections could push consideration until the Senate returns later this year.   Prospects for completing a final Farm Bill this year will depend in part on whether lawmakers can reach bipartisan agreement on outstanding issues, particularly changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cost-share requirements. During the committee meeting, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) also sought consideration of an amendment addressing California’s Proposition 12, but Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) declined to reopen the amendment process. If Congress is unable to reach agreement on a final package before existing authorities expire, lawmakers may need to consider another Farm Bill extension.   House Advances Energy and Infrastructure Bills Under Suspension   In mid-September, the House approved several bipartisan bills under suspension focused on energy infrastructure, critical minerals, and water research. The Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 9340) would require states to consider policies ensuring large data centers cover the costs of electric grid upgrades needed to meet their power demands. The Affordable Innovation for the Grid Act (H.R. 9339) would direct the Department on Energy to assess how artificial intelligence can improve electric grid operations and reliability. The CHARM Act (H.R. 9617) would require the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a national strategy for recovering critical minerals from discarded materials. Lastly, The Advancing Water Research and Collaboration Act of 2025 (H.R. 7889) would reauthorize the Water Resources Research Act Program through fiscal year (FY) 2029 and would authorize $16 million annually for the U.S. Geological Survey research program and allow up to 20 percent of the funding to be used to reimburse research on regional and interstate water issues. The program’s authorization expired at the end of FY 2025, but it continued to receive funding in FY 2026. Notably, the administration proposed eliminating the program in its FY 2027 budget request. Several of these bills have companion bills being considered in the Senate and which may have a possibility of being approved as a part of end-of-year legislation.   House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Holds a Hearing on Advancing Technology for Disaster Prevention   On September 15, 2026, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing titled “Innovation in Disaster Prevention: Advancing Technology for Prediction and Response.” The goal of the hearing was to explore how emerging research and cutting-edge technologies can accelerate the next generation of warning systems for natural disasters, and how continued investment in this research can translate into information for emergency managers, first responders, infrastructure operators, and the public. The conversation centered on technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), satellite remote sensing, autonomous aerial/ground platforms, and next-generation environmental data infrastructure. The hearing highlighted critical barriers to deployment of these technologies including fragmented interagency funding streams, procurement bottlenecks, and outdated baseline environmental datasets.   Key recommendations included updating federal precipitation frequency estimates via NOAA Atlas 15, expanding similar predictive hazard mapping initiatives for wildfire, mudslide, and coastal storm risks, establishing an Interagency Disaster Innovation Center to bring modeling and risk-reduction data together across federal agencies, and maintaining robust funding for foundational Earth science programs.   Congress Moves to Strengthen Biotechnology and Biological Data Security   On September 24, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives introduced two bills focused on protecting biotechnology and biological data as critical infrastructure. The Protecting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing as Critical Infrastructure Act would direct the Department of Homeland Security and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to develop a framework for protecting biotechnology, while the Protecting Biological Data as Critical Infrastructure Act would direct CISA to focus on protecting sensitive biological data.   The bills, introduced by Senators Todd Young and Maggie Hassan and Representatives Stephanie Bice, Ro Khanna, and Scott Peters, reflect recommendations from the 2025 National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB). The NSCEB has identified biological data as an essential resource for AI-enabled scientific discovery, while also highlighting security risks if sensitive genomic and biometric information is compromised. On Capitol Hill, there has been a broader push to treat biotechnology as a national security issue. Earlier this year, Congress introduced legislation to improve access to biological data for AI-enabled research.

White House Proposes $810 Million in Rescissions, GAO Weighs In   On September 25, the White House transmitted an $810 million rescission package covering 11 federal appropriation accounts, primarily involving international assistance, immigration, education, housing, and other domestic programs. The package has limited direct implications for environmental programs; the principal environmental provision is an $8.7 million proposed rescission from Treasury’s Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act Program, which supports debt-for-nature arrangements involving tropical forests and coral reefs and which is supported out of International Affairs.   While the package is not broadly focused on environmental funding, it is likely to have broader implications for appropriations and the balance of congressional and executive authority over federal spending and has already garnered significant attention from bipartisan members. The Government Accountability Office concluded on September 29 that the Impoundment Control Act does not permit the Administration to withhold the funds beyond the end of the fiscal year (FY) unless Congress enacts the proposed rescissions, emphasizing Congress’s constitutional power of the purse. Because the congressional consideration period extends beyond the September 30 expiration of the affected FY 2026 funds, the dispute could shape how Congress and the Administration approach enacted appropriations and rescissions in future budget negotiations.   Administration Advances Agriculture, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Water Priorities   This September, the Trump Administration issued several Executive Orders (EOs) aligned with the Administration’s Make America Beautiful Again initiative focus on federal lands, natural resources, outdoor recreation, and domestic agricultural production. While several of these EOs focus on ranging, livestock markets and hunting and are not directly relevant to the environmental research community, a handful are relevant to wildlife conservation and ecosystems. For example, in addition to expanding access to federal land for hunting, the Reinvigorating America’s Hunting Heritage EO directs the Secretaries of War, Interior, and Agriculture to develop conservation plans to enhance the viability of large game species, with attention to habitat connectivity, invasive species, wildlife disease, and habitat management tools such as prescribed fire and grazing – and address topics relating to data collection. The American Saltwater Angling and Recreation EO directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to modernize recreational fisheries data collection, including greater use of electronic reporting and real-time data, and to evaluation how state-level data can be incorporated into federal fisheries management. It also calls for pilot programs for depleted recreational fisheries and a new federal program to facilitate the conversion of eligible offshore structures into artificial reefs. Another EO, Providing Meaningful Water Quality Improvements Through Collaboration and Oversight of Federal Support revoked a 2009 Chesapeake Bay Executive Order and directs federal agencies to prioritize products that that will lead to measurable reductions in nutrient and sediment runoff, while directing the Environmental Protection Agency to work with Chesapeake Bay jurisdictions on water-quality efforts and stormwater management fees. The order emphasizes empirical data, performance indicators, and measurable outcomes in directing Federal resources.   Executive Order Targets Tick and Mosquito-Borne Disease Through Biotechnology and Research   On September 29, President Trump signed an executive order, Eliminating Disease-Carrying Pests and Restoring Enjoyment of the Great Outdoors. It makes it federal policy to suppress tick and mosquito populations through non-chemical, technology-enabled approaches: habitat management, natural predators, sterile insect techniques, and biotechnology-based control tools. The order also calls for better diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes, including Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome, West Nile, and dengue.   The order’s centerpiece is a Washington, D.C. demonstration project. Within 60 days, which falls on or about November 28, the Department of Interior (DOI), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the General Services Administration (GSA), in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), must develop and launch a campaign targeting a 90 percent reduction in invasive mosquito populations and a 50 percent reduction in ticks by 50 across D.C. by 2028. The campaign is meant to serve as a model for national expansion. EPA is also directed within 60 days to develop a regulatory framework for the environmental release of advanced tick and mosquito control technologies, including sterilization techniques, genetic modification, and beneficial bacteria, with input from academic centers and industry. Within 90 days, on or about December 28, HHS and USDA are directed to issue prize or research competitions focused on diagnostics, preventives, and treatments, building on what the order calls the “Lyme Disease Moonshot,” plus a research agenda for alpha-gal immunotherapies.   The EPA biotechnology framework explicitly calls for input from academic centers and from industry, creating an opportunity for institutions or individuals with specialized expertise in vector biology, entomology, biotechnology, biosafety, and regulatory science to engage with agencies and with the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The preference for commercial capabilities and cooperative agreements in the D.C. demonstration could also create opportunities for partnerships. However, the order does not provide dedicated funding. Implementation will be subject to appropriations and to plans to incorporate new programs into their portfolios in the next fiscal year, and agencies themselves will now be working towards the 60-to-90-day directives.   NSF Leadership Responds to Align with New Golden Age of Science Report   Brian Stone, the Acting National Science Foundation (NSF) Director, published a letter on September 10, 2026, outlining a series of changes to how NSF will select, fund, and organize scientific research. Stone frames the overhaul as consistent with the White House’s “Science: A New Golden Age” report and the Fiscal Year 2028 R&D memo.   The letter’s central message is a shift toward “portfolio-based” grantmaking, in which funding mechanisms are matched to the nature of the research. NSF says it will expand award durations of five years or longer for exceptional researchers, while also expanding shorter, faster-turnaround grants built on its existing EAGER and RAPID mechanisms. The agency plans to distinguish “investigator-driven” funding from “NSF-directed” funding tied to milestones, prizes, or challenges, and says it will announce a series of “Grand Research Challenges” in the coming months. It also plans to experiment with new peer-review models, including “Golden Tickets” that let individual reviewers champion proposals that might not survive panel consensus.   The letter also outlines plans for a new Office of Metascience, intended to evaluate the agency’s funding and review practices, scale what works, retire what does not, and publish its findings publicly. The new office is also envisioned to support additional computing capacity to meet a goal of doubling the federally-funded scientific productivity by 2036. Separately, NSF is launching four Frontier Initiatives, which will focus on: Future of Intelligence, Frontier of Quantum Phenomena, Advanced Materials and Matter, and Foundations of Biological Design each led by a Frontier Initiative Lead based in the Office of the Director.   The letter ties much of this to the national Genesis Mission effort to apply AI to scientific discovery, pointing to an earlier Dear Colleague Letter encouraging AI-enabled research proposals, investment in AI-ready datasets and a new network of programmable cloud laboratories, and expanded compute access through the National AI Research Resource and new State and Regional AI Infrastructure Hubs.   EPA Expands Research on Emerging Drinking Water Contaminants and Water Reuse   The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a new scientific study using non-targeted analysis (NTA) to identify a broad range of potential contaminants in drinking water, including pharmaceuticals, PFAS, and more than 1,000 other potential pollutants. Unlike conventional analytical methods that look for specific chemicals, NTA can screen samples for known and previously unidentified compounds. The EPA intends for the results to inform future research and regulatory priorities and complement other Safe Drinking Water Act efforts, including the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List, which for the first time identifies microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority contaminant groups.   The research effort comes as EPA is also elevating water reuse as a national and international priority. The EPA announced its Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0 earlier this year and on September 15, Administrator Zeldin launched a G20 Water Reuse Initiative, with all G20 members agreeing to an EPA-led outcome document promoting a “fit-for-purpose” approach to treating and reusing water for applications in areas including industry, agriculture, and energy. The initiative emphasizes scientific assessment, local conditions, water-supply resilience, and private-sector technology and investment. Together, the actions point to growing federal interest in analytical science and technology to address emerging contaminants while expanding water supplies through reuse, with the research agenda on this yet to be defined.   EPA Moves to Repeal Remaining Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Standards   The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has finalized repeal of most of the Biden Administration’s 2024 greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants and proposed eliminating all remaining federal GHG emissions standards for the power sector. The EPA has estimated that the finalized repeal will result in approximately $310 billion in projected savings, while the additional proposed repeal would eliminate an estimated $370 million in direct compliance costs. The final rule would remove remaining standards covering new, modified, and reconstructed fossil-fuel-fired generating units, including requirements based on carbon capture and storage and efficiency improvements.   These actions represent a significant change in the federal approach to regulating power-sector GHG emissions. EPA is relying, in part, on its 2026 rescission of the 2009 GHG Endangerment Finding and argues that Clean Air Act Section 111 does not authorize regulation of power-plant emissions based on global climate effects. The proposed repeal remains subject to public comment, with EPA planning a public hearing on October 1-2 and a 45-day comment period, with the rule set to go into effect in November. The Federal Register remains open for comment here through November 2, 2026. For the energy and environmental research communities, the changes could shift federal attention toward conventional air pollutants, power-system reliability, and emissions monitoring rather than regulatory approaches designed specifically to reduce power-sector GHG emissions. More information is available on the EPA webpage here.

TO: Funding Opportunity: ARPA-H Announces New SURPASS Program to Modernize Clinical Trials The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) recently announced its new Simulation-augmented, Real-time Platform Adaptive Seamless Trials (SURPASS) program which “aims to modernize today’s clinical trials so they can evaluate drugs and biologics faster, at lower cost, and with fewer participants than conventional approaches.” In particular, SURPASS will support projects that can establish sustainable, adaptive platforms that leverage predictive computational models, shared trial infrastructure, common control groups, and real-time analysis to improve decision-making and accelerate the drug development process.   ARPA-H will be hosting two optional opportunities to convene interested parties and provide a platform to ask questions and make connections. The first event is an informational webinar on October 15, 2026, with a registration deadline of October 12, 2026. ARPA-H will also be hosting a hybrid Proposer’s Day in Washington, DC on November 6, 2026, with a registration deadline of October 28, 2026. To register for one or both of these events, please find more information here.   A required Solution Summary will be due on November 30, 2026. ARPA-H will provide additional feedback to proposers before inviting full proposals due on January 22, 2027. Funding Opportunity: NOAA Releases Coastal Flood Protection Research Program The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released a new research program seeking to improve coastal flood protection through public-private partnerships, innovative insurance products, and improved sediment management. Solicited through NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Competitive Research Program, one to six projects are expected to be funded between $500,000 and $2 million per year, with no cost share required. With an estimated project start date of September 1, 2027, projects may be awarded up to four years, though shorter-term project proposals are encouraged. Successful projects will support state-of-the-art information and products to advance the use of natural infrastructure for coastal flood protection. Applications should address one or more of the following priority areas:   Priority 1: Improve product delivery through the private sector Priority 2: Innovating insurance mechanisms for natural coastal flood defense Priority 3: Supporting sediment management practices Eligibility is open to institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits, state and local, and tribal governments, and federal applicants (including NOAA) which may receive funds from another agency. The funding opportunity details specific instructions for NOAA Cooperative Institute (NOAA) or Cooperative Ecosystem Study Unit (CESU) applicants. Multiorganizational partnerships are necessary to be competitive for the opportunity. Letters of intent are due to nccos.grant.awards@noaa.gov by November 9, 2026, with full applications due by February 12, 2027. An informational webinar on the solicitation will be offered on October 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET, with the meeting link to be posted here.   The full writeup is available here: Funding Opportunity – NOAA Releases Coastal Flood Protection Research Program.pdf Engagement Opportunity: FDA Launches Nationwide Effort to Fill Advisory Committee Vacancies On September 30, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a nationwide recruitment effort to bring 230 new scientific experts and consumer representatives to its advisory committees. These committees convene scientific experts such as physicians, researchers, and biostatisticians, as well as patient and consumer advocates, to evaluate evidence on FDA-regulated products and help the agency make informed decisions on behalf of the American public. Candidates in numerous fields, such as oncology, cardiovascular medicine, neurology, genetics, medical devices, and others, are encouraged to submit applications through the FDA Advisory Committee Membership Nomination portal.   Nominees for scientific and technical positions must be able to demonstrate expertise in the subject matter topic of the relevant advisory committee. They must also be able to interpret complex scientific information, understand the public health significance of issues before the relevant committee, and possess the ability to provide objective and independent advice. Consumer representative nominees should be able to demonstrate affiliation with or participation in relevant consumer or community-based organizations, possess the ability to analyze technical data, weigh pros and cons, and evaluate product safety and efficacy from the perspective of the public. In addition to self-nominations, nominations may also be submitted by independent supporters on behalf of candidates, and there is no limit on the number of nominations or committees that may be submitted for.   All candidates for advisory committees will be required to submit a completed curriculum vitae; an acknowledgment and consent form; a written confirmation that the nominee is aware of the nomination (unless self-nominated); and for consumer representative applications, include a cover letter that lists consumer or community organizations for which the nominee can demonstrate active participation. Potential candidates will also be asked to provide detailed information concerning their financial holdings, employment, and research grants and/or contracts in order to determine potential conflicts of interest. Nominees will be considered on a rolling basis for current and anticipated vacancies, although priority consideration will be given to consumer representative applications submitted by November 15, 2026, as well as to scientific and technical voting member positions submitted by November 30, 2026. Applications received after those dates will be considered for later vacancies as they arise. Members will serve terms of up to four years. Please find information below on specific FDA advisory committee vacancies that are currently available at the time of this notice’s writing, and the links include further information on expertise required for each vacancy:   Blood, Vaccines, Biological Products Committee Vacancies Blood Products Advisory Committee – Seven Vacancies Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee – Nine Vacancies Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee – Ten Vacancies   Drug Products Committee Vacancies Anesthetic and Analgesic Drugs Advisory Committee – Four Vacancies Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee – Ten Vacancies Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee – Three Vacancies Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee – Ten Vacancies Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee – Four Vacancies Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee – Six Vacancies Genetic Metabolic Diseases Advisory Committee – Seven Vacancies Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee – Nine Vacancies Obstetrics, Reproductive, and Urologic Drugs Advisory Committee – Six Vacancies Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee – Ten Vacancies Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Committee – Three Vacancies Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee – Six Vacancies Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee – Four Vacancies   Medical Devices and Radiation-Emitting Products Committee Vacancies Device Good Manufacturing Practice Advisory Committee – Nine Vacancies Technical Electronic Product Radiation Standards Advisory Committee – Fifteen Vacancies Medical Devices Advisory Committee Anesthesiology and Respiratory Therapy Devices Panel – Two Vacancies Circulatory System Devices Panel – Two Vacancies Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Toxicology Devices Panel – Five Vacancies Dental Products Devices Panel – Three Vacancies Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Panel – Two Vacancies Gastroenterology and Urology Devices Panel – Five Vacancies General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel – Five Vacancies General Hospital and Personal Use Devices Panel – Five Vacancies Hematology and Pathology Devices Panel – Five Vacancies Immunology Devices Panel – Seven Vacancies Medical Devices Dispute Resolution Panel – Six Vacancies Microbiology Devices Panel – Seven Vacancies Molecular and Clinical Genetics Panel – Four Vacancies Neurological Devices Panel – Four Vacancies Obstetrics and Gynecology Devices Panel – Four Vacancies Ophthalmic Devices Panel – Seven Vacancies Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel – Four Vacancies Radiological Devices Panel – Five Vacancies   Science Board to the FDA, Risk Communication, and Pediatrics Vacancies Science Board to the Food and Drug Administration – Fourteen Vacancies Pediatrics Advisory Committee – One vacancy Tobacco Advisory Committee Vacancies Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee – One vacancy Engagement Opportunities: Federal Advisory Committee Nomination Opportunities (September 28, 2026) Please see the latest list of Federal Advisory Committee Nomination openings. Opportunities are currently available across the following committees: National Vaccine Advisory Committee, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) National Geospatial Advisory Committee, US Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior (DOI)  Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Department of the Interior (DOI) National Assessment Governing Board, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Department of Education (ED) The full writeup is available here: Federal Advisory Committee Nomination Opportunities September 28, 2026.pdf Policy Update: Executive Order on Disease-Carrying Pests On September 29, President Trump signed an executive order, Eliminating Disease-Carrying Pests and Restoring Enjoyment of the Great Outdoors. It makes it federal policy to suppress tick and mosquito populations through non-chemical, technology-enabled approaches: habitat management, natural predators, sterile insect techniques, and biotechnology-based control tools. It also calls for better diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes, including Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome, West Nile, and dengue. The centerpiece is a Washington, D.C. demonstration. Within 60 days (on or about November 28), Interior, USDA, EPA, and GSA, consulting with HHS, must develop and launch a campaign to cut invasive mosquitoes (Asian tiger and Aedes aegypti) by 90 percent and ticks by 50 percent across D.C. by 2028. The campaign is meant to serve as a model for national expansion.   On the same timeline, EPA must deliver a regulatory framework for releasing sterilized, genetically modified, and bacteria-based control technologies into the environment. That framework is to draw on academic centers and industry and align with EO 14292 on biological research safety. EPA must also speed registration of new products it finds safe and effective. Within 90 days (on or about December 28), HHS and USDA must each issue prize competitions under 15 U.S.C. 3719 or direct research programs. HHS’s focus is diagnostics, preventives, and treatments, building on what the order calls the Lyme Disease Moonshot, plus a research agenda for alpha-gal immunotherapies. USDA’s focus is non-chemical control methods.   The EPA framework explicitly asks for input from academic centers. However, it goes directly to the President rather than through a public comment process, so the window for input is informal and short. Institutions and societies with expertise in vector biology, entomology, and biotechnology regulation should contact EPA, USDA, and HHS now. The D.C. campaign’s preference for commercial partners and cooperative agreements may open partnership opportunities for area institutions. Whether HHS and USDA choose prizes or research programs also matters: prizes reward results rather than fund the research behind them, which tends to favor product-ready teams over basic science. On funding, Section 3(f) only directs agencies to review available resources with OMB, and the order is subject to appropriations. Implementation will therefore likely draw on existing accounts, which could squeeze current research portfolios on these diseases.   The government is operating under a continuing resolution at largely current levels through December 11 (P.L. 119-103). The 90-day deliverables will therefore land during the post-election push to finish FY2027 funding. That is a window to seek report language that funds these priorities without displacing existing research. Researchers working on conventional insecticides, insecticide resistance, or gene drives should also note two things: the order’s emphasis on non-chemical methods, and that EPA’s framework goes to the President through the Homeland Security Advisor, under EO 14292’s biosafety framing. ********************************* Internal RU Central Announcements  *********************************   Paid Summer Fellowships for Graduate Students in 2027 at Sandia National Laboratories   Universities Research Association (URA) is seeking applications for paid Summer Fellowships for graduate students in 2027 at Sandia National Laboratories.  Detailed information about the program and the application process is attached and available HERE.   URA anticipates making up to ten appointments within Sandia’s Research Foundations, including Bioscience, Computing and Information Science, Earth Science, Engineering Science, Material Science, Nanodevices and Microsystems, and Radiation, Electrical and High Energy Density Science.  Applicants must be full-time masters or doctoral graduate students and U.S. citizens.   Applications must be submitted by November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm US Eastern Time.   **************************** Discovery Hackathon   We would want interested and available faculty to please reply by Friday, October 16th to confirm participation. From there we will work to ensure the strongest possible faculty–industry team match.   The event will bring together a small number of university faculty and life sciences industry partners working in related scientific domains, with faculty expertise matched to the participating teams and their intended use cases.   The hackathon will be a 1.5-day, in-person working session on October 26–27, 2026, at the NJ AI Hub in Princeton. It is designed to foster hands-on experimentation with Microsoft Discovery while helping interdisciplinary teams test scientific assumptions, explore potential solutions, and develop actionable research roadmaps in the small-molecule drug discovery space.   During the session, participants will leverage agentic AI + HPC for translating scientific questions into potential laboratory protocols and creating an iterative environment in which experimental results can inform the next round of analysis and experimentation. Potential outputs may include prioritized hypotheses, a phased experimental roadmap, recommended follow-up experiments, success criteria, and proposed next steps.   Teams will also receive technical and facilitation support from specialists representing Microsoft Discovery, the NJ AI Hub, and others.   Event details Dates: October 26th & 27th Location: NJ AI Hub, Princeton, New Jersey Format: 1.5-day, in-person collaborative hackathon Focus: Small-molecule drug discovery, scientific experimentation, and iterative research planning with a virtual lab-in-the-loop Participants: University faculty, life sciences industry R&D professionals, and technical and scientific specialists Schedule: October 26th (8:30am-5pm) & 27th (8:30am-1pm)   We would be thrilled to have faculty join us and bring your expertise to this collaborative effort. Please feel free to contact Marie, ccd, with any questions. Marie Pryor <mariepryor@microsoft.com> **************************** 2027 Application Cycle Countdown Begins! 60 Days Left to Apply! Applications for the 2026-2027 Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy awards are now open. The December 1, 2026 deadline leaves just 60 days left to apply, including recommendation forms! Start your application now! The amount of each award is $10,000, and twenty awards will be given. In addition, the Foundation offers two Special Awards: the Trustees’ Award for the most innovative project (an additional $3,000) and the Irving Louis Horowitz Award for the most outstanding project (an additional $5,000). Learn more about the awards on our website. All eligible applications must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on December 1, 2026. Award recipients will be announced in June 2027. Apply Here   **************************** HUMANITY AI OPEN CALL – GRANT OPPORTUNITY (Deadline: October 21)   On behalf of the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, I’m writing to share information about the Humanity AI Open Call, which may be of interest to members of the Rutgers community working on community-led efforts to shape how AI is governed, built, or used.   Humanity AI is offering $75,000 to $1 million grants for U.S.-based projects focused on Education; Labor and Economy; and Humanities, Arts, and Culture, with a broad range of applicants eligible to apply, including organizations, collaborations, and individuals.   Applicants should submit their applications directly to Humanity AI through its online application portal by October 21, 2026. For more information, please visit the Humanity AI Open Call website or review the attached guide.   **************************** On behalf of the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs   TO: Chancellors, Provosts, Deans, Directors, and Chairpersons: On behalf of the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, I would like to notify you that the University has been invited to submit nominations for consideration for the King Faisal Prize in Science in the field of “Biology” and for the King Faisal Prize in Medicine on the topic of “RNA-Based Therapeutics.”  Nominations are judged exclusively on the basis of scholarly merit. The Prizes recognize published work “likely to benefit mankind and enrich human knowledge.” Winners will receive a sum of $200,000, a commemorative gold medallion, and a certificate.   Please visit the King Faisal Prize website for more information. To nominate a candidate, please send a letter of nomination by March 2, 2027, along with the nominee’s curriculum vitae and a list of published scholarly work to me at (amullis@oq.rutgers.edu). Please contact me if you have any questions as you proceed. Self-nominations will not be accepted.   Your assistance in helping to identify the best candidates is greatly appreciated.   Regards, Angela   Angela Mullis, Ph.D. Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs amullis@oq.rutgers.edu | academicaffairs.rutgers.edu  | (848) 932-8068   ****************************   Applications Open for the ‘Career MODE’ Program: Careers through Mentoring and training in Omics and Data for Early-stage investigators   Applications are now open for The Career MODE Program. Funded by the NIH/NIGMS, Career MODE is seeking to enlist a diverse cohort of early-stage Investigators from across the nation. The program is a groundbreaking initiative designed to support investigators on their path towards research independence. The program entails: Cutting-edge omics and data science training: Intensive Omics and Data Science Training Flexible Commitment: A hybrid (in-person and virtual) 11-month program aimed to supplement careers of current postdocs/newly appointed faculty in biomedical sciences. Expert Mentoring: Mentored research with two hand-selected internationally recognized leaderswho will contribute new scientific directions, ideas, and technical advice for project success. PI Training: Grant writing and management skills training that is necessary for success as a PI and managing a successful lab. Check your Application Deadline: April 17, 2026 Visit the Career MODE website for further details. Fees & Scholarships | Application Details| Eligibility | Subscribe to Our Email List   ********************************************** Subject: NJHF Annual Grant Program is Now Accepting Applications   New Jersey Health Foundation is now accepting applications for the recently announced cycle of its Annual Grant Program. Applications will be accepted electronically only through the New Jersey Health Foundation grant portal (https://webportalapp.com/sp/2027_njhealth) through November 16, 2026.  The link to the portal, along with Policies & Procedures and FAQs, can also be found on our website (www.njhealthfoundation.org) under the Grants program section.  Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. This year’s grant cycle is once again comprised of our two different programs.  Our Research Grants program supports early innovative research projects that demonstrate exciting potential and help researchers qualify for larger grants.  Our Community Health, Behavioral and Social Science, Social Service & Education Grants Program funds health-related community, education and social service projects as well as behavioral and social science projects that address issues impacting society.  Full-time faculty members, staff and other personnel are eligible to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each under the Research Grant program and up to $35,000 each under the Community Health, Behavioral and Social Science, Social Service & Education Grant program.   Prior to submission to New Jersey Health Foundation, all applicants must follow their organization’s standard approval protocols and procedures. Grant applications will be reviewed by the New Jersey Health Foundation Review Committee. Submission to NJHF does not guarantee grant funding.  Please share this information with the appropriate individuals within your organization. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send an e-mail to researchgrant@njhf.org.   **********************************************   Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program – Call for Proposals   https://www.orau.org/partnerships/grant-programs/powe/index.html  Proposal Application System: https://peernet.orau.org/Intake/Submission/Index?id=37310257-0d8b-49b5-5743-08defc885ee7 The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program provides seed money for research by junior faculty at ORAU member institutions. These awards are intended to enrich the research and professional growth of young faculty and result in new funding opportunities. The deadline for applications for the 2027 awards is Wednesday, January 6, 2027, at 12:00 PM (noon) EST.  Each ORAU member institution may submit up to two proposals. Proposed research projects for the 2027 awards are being accepted in the following seven discipline areas: Engineering and Applied Science Life Sciences Mathematics/Computer Sciences Physical Sciences Policy, Management, or Education New: Critical Mineral Constraints on SMR Deployment Capacity in the U.S. (Sponsored by AUI) Proposals could address: What domestic and allied-nation mineral and processing capacity currently exist to support SMR fuel and component fabrication at scale? Where do single points of failure exist in enrichment, conversion, or alloy production? How do lead times for mineral extraction, processing, and qualification compare to reactor construction schedules? What policy, stockpiling, or recycling interventions could meaningfully expand the achievable build-out rate over 5-, 10-, and 20-year horizons? Interdisciplinary approaches to combining nuclear engineering, mineral economics, supply chain modeling, and geopolitical risk analysis are strongly encouraged. Preference will be given to proposals producing quantitative, scenario-based estimates (e.g., maximum feasible reactors per year under current vs. expanded mineral supply conditions) rather than purely qualitative assessments. New: Responsible AI in STEM Education Policy (Sponsored by AUI) Proposals are sought that examine, but are not limited to: (1) empirical potential of AI-assisted tools to improve evidence-based policymaking in STEM education, including data-driven identification of achievement gaps or resource disparities; (2) risks of algorithmic bias, data opacity, and reduced democratic accountability when AI systems inform high-stakes policy decisions; (3) institutional and workforce capacity needed within education agencies to responsibly adopt AI tools; (4) comparative case studies of jurisdictions that have piloted AI-informed policy processes; and (5) frameworks for evaluating when AI adds genuine value to policy work versus when it introduces unwarranted complexity, cost, or harm. Interdisciplinary approaches bridging education research, computer science, public administration, and ethics are welcomed. Priority will be given to projects with clear pathways to actionable policy recommendations, attention to underserved and marginalized student populations, and methodological rigor suited to postdoctoral-level independent research. Successful projects will help clarify not only what AI can do for STEM education policy, but what it should do, and under what safeguards. ORAU’s PeerNet application intake system will be used for submission. Each nominee will access PeerNet to complete the application process and upload the required documents. All applications must be received via the intake system by the deadline. For step-by-step instructions and specific information on the required documents, visit Instructions for ORAU Member Councilors and Application Instructions for Faculty Members on the grant website. For more information, visit Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards and be sure to click the “In This Section” dropdown to select other helpful pages including FAQs. If you have questions or need assistance with the PeerNet intake system, email poweawards@orau.org.   *********************************** NSF announces $1.5B for foundational research to drive scientific breakthroughs for American technological leadership   The U.S. National Science Foundation notices of funding opportunity (NOFO) provide over $1.5 billion for foundational research to drive breakthroughs across the scientific enterprise.   The 12 new opportunities support a mix of long-horizon awards for ambitious, transformative research and rapid short-term grants to quickly test promising ideas to advance NSF’s core mission to support foundational research that leads to scientific breakthroughs and opens new frontiers of knowledge.   View the full list of new funding opportunities: https://www.nsf.gov/news/foundational-research-nofos ********************************* Publicly available grant-writing resource developed by Rutgers faculty and community partners through a project funded by the Rutgers Equity Alliance for Community Health (REACH). The Community Grant Writing Resources website offers practical tools to help nonprofit organizations, community partners, and others build their capacity to pursue and manage grant funding. The resource includes 10 self-paced lessons featuring videos, presentations, activities, and additional materials. A free online course through Rutgers Continuing Education also offers participants the opportunity to earn a digital badge. Please consider sharing these resources through your communications channels and with colleagues or community partners who may benefit.   ********************************* October 20, 2026 Governor Sherrill Launches NJ Supercomputer Initiative to Drive Innovation, Create Inclusive Economic Opportunity, and Solve Shared Statewide Challenges  More than $125 Million in Public-Private Investment Includes Support from Co-Founder of NVIDIA, SHI International, and the State of New Jersey. The Initiative Will Expand New Jersey’s Capacity for Cutting-Edge Research, Advance Education and Workforce Development, and Create Good-Paying Jobs. The NJ Supercomputer Initiative is a partnership between all 8 of New Jersey’s higher education research institutions — Kean University, Montclair State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Rowan University, Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, and Stevens Institute of Technology — as well as the NJ Council of County Colleges. As part of this partnership, each institution plans to provide annual contributions to the initiative’s budget. Pathways for additional higher education institutions from across the state to participate will be announced in 2027. ********************************* The RU-N Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) provides development services support with finding and reviewing NOFOs for eligibility and fit with your particular research and scholarly goals. ORSP can also help facilitate cross disciplinary collaborations for projects involving multiple investigators across schools or external partners. Contact Senior Grants Facilitator Dr. Anthony Mayo with questions or to get started today: mayoal@newark.rutgers.edu