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ERI Funding Opportunities

Welcome to the ERI Funding Opportunities Site

College of Engineering campus
Research drives excellence in the College of Engineering by serving as a magnet to attract and retain outstanding faculty and students. Funding opportunities relevant to the College of Engineering will be posted here. If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities please contact ERI at eri-pre@iastate.edu for assistance or additional information. New opportunities are posted weekly. To have the new opportunities delivered directly to your inbox please subscribe using your ISU email address. One email per week.

 

 

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies

ACL 

Solicitation: HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-REGE-0212

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/c08bbf7a-563b-4af4-a79b-b1cb7bdd71ad

Posted Date: June 01, 2026

Proposal Due Date: July 16, 2026 by 11:59 pm, ET

Assistive technologies address activity and participation difficulties encountered by people with disability by augmenting, compensating for the loss of, or restoring function to improve performance. However, many traditional assistive devices do not effectively address individual needs. These traditional devices offer generic solutions that may not address specific challenges or preferences of people with physical disabilities. Some  assistive technology is difficult to learn or operate, especially for users with limited motor abilities. Complex user interfaces and poor usability limit participation and independence. Assistive devices often operate in isolation and are not well integrated or compatible with other systems and home environments, reducing overall effectiveness.  Additionally, the characteristics of existing technologies such as durability, weight, size, power sources, and control algorithms have yet to be optimized
for ease of use and functionality in the real world. This often results in technologies being non-intuitive, obtrusive, or difficult to control, reducing user acceptance and adoption.

AI has the potential to address many of these persistent problems facing assistive technologies. Through advanced algorithms, AI can tailor assistive devices to the specific functional needs, preferences, and environments of individual users, providing more personalized and effective support. AI has the potential to enable devices to predict their user’s intentions and adapt the device’s responses. This improves usability and satisfaction. Smart assistive devices powered by AI can learn from usage patterns to optimize assistance provided to the user. Devices powered by AI can also enhance safety through features like fall detection and obstacle avoidance, and ultimately support greater independence.

 

Mass Market Solutions for Leveraging Robotics and AI Technologies for Home Construction Demonstration

DHUD

Solicitation:PDR-2600-DC-029Q

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/b5b96f6f-6325-418b-862c-e8e5c8ed28fd

Posted Date: May 29, 2026

Proposal Due Date: July 13, 2026 by 11:59 pm, ET

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) expects to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Mass Market Solutions for Leveraging Robotics and AI Technologies for Home Construction Demonstration. This anticipated NOFO is intended to fund demonstration projects that test and scale the use of automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence in factory-built housing to help build homes faster, at lower cost, and in ways that can meaningfully increase housing supply. Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements, which…
means HUD will be actively involved throughout the project period. PD&R will provide technical guidance and oversight to help ensure projects are well designed, aligned with program goals, and able to generate lessons that can be applied more broadly across the housing industry. HUD is especially interested in projects that use automation, robotics, or AI at specific stages of the factory-built housing process, whether onsite or offsite. Eligible approaches may include panelized systems, modular construction, or fully volumetric homes. Projects must show that the proposed technology can produce housing components at a scale sufficient to deliver a defined number of homes and clearly explain how the technology improves construction speed, labor efficiency, quality, or cost. The overall goal of this NOFO is to support technologies that can move beyond a single pilot and be scaled for wider use, contributing to long-term increases in housing supply. Applicants should explain how their project bridges the gap between early development and commercial use and should quantify expected affordability benefits, such as reduced construction time or labor needs. The program supports Administration priorities to lower housing costs and expand housing supply and requires projects to follow principles of Gold Standard Science.

MBDA Rural Business Center Program

DoC

Solicitation: MBDA-OBC-2026-00003

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/dfeeab1b-cc40-475c-b5c4-73836f302dea

Posted Date: May 29, 2026

Proposal Due Date: June 29, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), MBDA will provide awards to eligible entities to operate MBDA Rural Business Centers (“RBCs” or “Centers”). RBCs will provide technical assistance, capacity building and entrepreneurial development services to businesses in rural areas throughout all phases of the business process, from ideation to launch and growth, including supporting rural businesses. These could range from the ideation stage (e.g., pre-start-up) to any level of revenue and profitability.

MBDA is soliciting competitive applications from eligible entities for the operation of RBCs as described in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

The Act established key priorities for this Program designed to overcome the unique challenges faced by rural businesses. In addition to providing technical assistance, capacity building, and
entrepreneurial development services, RBCs also will serve as a resource navigator to help strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and support businesses with issues related to:
• Adoption and accessibility of broadband internet access;
• Digital literacy skills, including but not limited to specialized focus on understanding, engaging with, and safely using AI to advance and supplement business activities;
• Leveraging e-commerce;
• Promoting U.S. manufacturing, particularly advanced manufacturing in the United States by encouraging entrepreneurs to support skilled trades training for their workforce;
• Promoting trade and export opportunities;
• Securing financial capital;
• Facilitating entrepreneurship in rural areas;
• Creating jobs in rural areas;
• Helping rural businesses meet gaps in the supply chain of critical supplies and essential goods and services for the United States;
• Improving the connectivity of rural businesses through transportation and logistics;
• Promoting workforce skills development in support of rural business endeavors; and
• Any other issue relating to the unique challenges faced by rural business.

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education — Postsecondary Student Success Grants Program

DoED

Solicitiation: ED-GRANT-26-038

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/d47755ac-d9e2-4025-b84e-c0f88a818a40

Posted Date: May 28, 2026

Proposal Due Date: June 29, 2026

PSSG is designed to improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, transfer (including successful transfer of completed credits), credit accumulation, and completion, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based activities to support data-driven decisions and actions by institutional leaders committed to inclusive student success.

PSSG provides funding for the implementation and rigorous evaluation of evidence-based strategies that result in improved student outcomes. The program has two absolute priorities that correspond to varying evidence standards. This multi-tiered competition invites applicants that are in the “early phase” or “mid phase” of their evidence-based work to support students through credential attainment. Grant funding supports the evaluation, dissemination, scaling, and sustainability efforts of the activities funded under this grant.
An early phase applicant must propose a strategy that at least meets the Demonstrates a Rationale standard and have a plan to complete a project evaluation that meets What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards with or without reservations. A mid phase applicant must propose a strategy that at least meets the Moderate Evidence of effectiveness standard, include a plan to scale this strategy to multiple sites and/or to a large number of students, and complete an evaluation that meets WWC standards without reservations.

Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award

NIH

Solicitation: PAR-27-062

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362581

Posted Date: May 27, 2026

Proposal Due Date: July 12, 2026

he purpose of the Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32) is to support rigorous, mentored scientific research and career development for up to three years for early-stage postdoctoral scholars. Candidates must submit their application up to one year prior to beginning their postdoctoral position or no more than two years after their postdoctoral training begins (resubmissions included). The ACE K32 will foster early, goal-directed planning and encourage innovative applications with the potential for a significant impact on scientific research and career development. Inclusion of preliminary data are not required as the ACE K32 emphasizes innovative research ideas and thoughtful plans for training and mentorship that will facilitate the development of the postdoctoral scholars who have the potential to become productive, independent investigators in research fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers.

Substance Research and Training Program

NIH

Solicitation: RFA-ES-27-004

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359650

Posted Date: May 19, 2026

Proposal Due Date: September 25, 2026

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is announcing the continuation of the Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program, referred to as Superfund Research Program (SRP) Centers. SRP Center grants will support problem-based, solution-oriented research Centers that consist of multiple, integrated projects representing both the biomedical and environmental science and engineering disciplines; as well as cores tasked with administrative (which includes Center leadership, data management, and training); translational research and engagement; and research support functions. The scope of the SRP Centers is taken directly from the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, which limits competition for this program to accredited institutes of higher education.Please see Section III. Eligibility for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered for funding.

FY 2026 Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP)

DoT

Solicitation: 693JK326NF0003

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362444

Posted Date: May 18, 2026

Proposal Due Date: June 19, 2026

The CAAP initiative is intended to spur innovation by enabling an academic research focus on pipeline safety challenges. It will help deliver solutions that can be transitioned to PHMSA’s core research program of demonstration and deployment in many respects. For instance, the goal is to validate proof of concept of a thesis or theory all the way to commercial introduction into the market. Further, the pipeline industry and federal/state regulators are experiencing low numbers of applicants for entry-level positions that are technically focused. As such, another goal of the CAAP program is to help with workforce development by exposing graduate and PhD research students to subject matter that is common to pipeline safety challenges and illustrating how their engineering or technical disciplines are highly needed in the field. The ultimate benefit would be cultivating new talent in all aspects of pipelines, similar to how programs at other federal agencies and non-profit organizations have encouraged talent to consider a career in a certain field. This program is authorized by Section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-355) and 49 U.S.C. § 60117(l).

Fiscal Year 2025 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program

DHS

Solicitation: DHS-25-GPD-044-00-97

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362442

Posted Date: May 18, 2026

Proposal Due Date: June 22, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grants Programs Directorate is responsible for the implementation and administration of the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program. The purpose of the FP&S Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The FP&S Program offers grants to support activities in two categories: (1) activities designed to reach high-risk target groups and mitigate incidences of death and injuries caused by fire and fire-related hazards (“Fire Prevention and Safety Activity”) and (2) research and development activities aimed at improving firefighter safety (“Firefighter Safety Research and Development Activity”). The program guidance document provides potential applicants with the details of the requirements, processing, and evaluation of an application for financial assistance for both of these activity areas.

 

STRATEGIC ASTROPHYSICS TECHNOLOGY

NASA

Solicitation: NNH25ZDA001N-SAT

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=1114914/solicitationId=%7B9455D565-3411-0574-BABC-255C7945CD08%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/D.07_SAT_050526.pdf

Posted Date: May 08, 2026

Notice of Intent Due: June 26, 2026

Proposal Due Date: August 06, 2026

NASA’s Astrophysics Division (APD) continues to undertake spaceflight missions that will explore the nature of the universe at its largest scales, its earliest moments, and its most extreme conditions; missions that will study how galaxies and stars formed and evolved to shape the universe we see today; and missions that will seek out and characterize planets and planetary systems orbiting other stars.

APD has three science-themed programs: Exoplanet Exploration (ExEP), Physics of the Cosmos (PhysCOS), and Cosmic Origins (COR), which cover, respectively, the search for and study of planets outside the Solar System, the origin and evolution of the universe, and the birth of stars and galaxies. These focus areas are all represented within the SAT program.
Due to evolving mission needs and funding, proposers are advised that NASA has narrowed the focus permissible within SAT-2025 proposals as compared to prior years; technologies must be aimed at meeting the needs of a future flagship mission or probe mission. Priority will be given to technologies that advance an X-ray and/or Far-Infrared flagship mission, with additional focused priority on either the X-ray or Far-Infrared regime if only one of those domains does not have a Probe-scale mission selected for development. Technologies that are needed for one or more of those missions and which additionally may enable other future time-domain and multi messenger astronomy missions are strongly encouraged.

Humanity AI Grants: $18 Million to Advance People-Centered AI

Humanity AI

Humanity AI Announces More Than $18 Million in New Grants to Shape AI for the Public Good 

Posted Date: May 12, 2026

Proposal Due Date:  Not Listed

Humanity AI, a collaborative philanthropic initiative dedicated to ensuring artificial intelligence (AI) serves the public good, today announced more than $18 million in new pooled grants. This includes $8 million in grants to organizations whose work spans the most urgent frontiers of AI’s impact on society, including safeguarding democratic institutions, protecting workers’ rights, strengthening journalism, and advancing education. Humanity AI will also support AI Civics, a new effort to advance public education, literacy, and community decision-making on AI and a forthcoming open call to identify further impactful projects.

 

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