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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.

 

 

Astrophysics Pioneers

NASA

Solicitation: NNH25ZDA001N-PIONEERS

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={2D567042-5011-7D69-C481-D5002E89FB62}&path=&method=init

Posted Date: January 14, 2026

Notice of Intent Due Date: February 11, 2026

Proposal Due Date: April 02, 2026

This program element solicits proposals for “Pioneers”, Astrophysics space and suborbital science investigations that are greater in cost, scope, and capability than what was possible within the Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA) suborbital and CubeSat program but are smaller in cost than what is possible within the Astrophysics Explorers Mission of Opportunity (MO) program (e.g., PEA Q of SALMON-3 for the 2021 opportunity). Investigations are solicited using platforms that include CubeSats (including constellations), other Small Sats, and major balloon missions. Technology
development and maturation within the proposed project is allowed, but the primary review criterion for selection is the merit of the proposed science investigation.
All proposed investigations must be responsive to NASA’s science goals in Astrophysics, as described in the FY 21-22 Update to “Science 2020-2024: A Vision for Scientific Excellence” and the 2022 NASA Strategic Plan, both of which may be found at http://science.nasa.gov/about-us/science-strategy/.

Earth Venture Suborbital-4 Landslide Change Characterization Experiment Science Team

NASA

Solicitation: NNH25ZDA001N-LACCE

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={28B359CF-8866-0872-479B-5AEE711E3AC0}&path=&method=init

Posted Date: January 14, 2025

Notice of Intent Due Date: February 27, 2026

Proposal Due Date: April 14, 2026

The Landslide Change Characterization Experiment (LACCE) is one of six selected investigations identified in the ROSES-2022 A.54 Earth Venture Suborbital-4 (EVS-4) solicitation that seeks to substantially advance Earth system science and NASA’s Earth science goals through science investigations involving sustained aircraft and/or other suborbital data acquisition campaigns. The primary goal of LACCE is to determine the impact of precipitation extremes and glacier retreat on slope stability at a scale that has not yet been attempted through the identification, tracking, and modeling landslides in regions with both dry and wet annual precipitation patterns. The first phase of the EVS-4
process identified the six project and the second phase solicits and selects a competed, peer science team to implement the project’s objectives.
This ROSES program element solicits proposals is for membership on the full LACCE Science Team that will provide airborne and ground-based measurements, data processing and analysis, and modeling and laboratory capabilities. Proposers are strongly encouraged to read this program element in its entirety and the additional background information on the LACCE project, including details on the project
requirements for measurements and models in the LACCE White Paper, which may be downloaded from under “Other documents” on the A.6 right side of the NSPIRES page for this program element. Failure to include a required section of the proposal will result in a proposal being returned to the proposing institution as nonresponsive.

Heliophysics Technology and Instrument Development for Science

NASA

Solicitation: NNH25ZDA001N-HTIDES

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={6848BC23-D81A-ECD0-24F2-5CBCE5ECFFF8}&path=&method=init

Posted Date: January 13, 2026

Proposal Due Date: April 15, 2026

The Heliophysics Technology and Instrument Development for Science (H-TIDeS) program supports the development and application of innovative new instruments, technologies, and capabilities to enhance the ability to achieve significant progress toward the scientific and technical challenges in heliophysics in the coming years.
H-TIDeS is a component of the Heliophysics Research Program and proposers interested in this program element are encouraged to see the overview of the Heliophysics Research Program in B.1 The Heliophysics Research Program Overview for Heliophysics-specific goals and requirements. Common requirements for all ROSES elements and proposals are found in the ROSES Summary of Solicitation and NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM), and the order of precedence for proposers is the following: ROSES Element B.6 (this document) takes precedence followed by B.1, The Heliophysics Research Program Overview, followed by the ROSES Summary of Solicitation and the GCAM. Proposers should be familiar with all these resources.
The 2024 Decadal Survey articulates the following vision and mission statements for Heliophysics science research: vision is “To discover the secrets of the local cosmos and to expand and safeguard humanity’s home in space” and the mission is “To explore our habitable cosmos in the service of humanity”.

 

ROSES25: C.12 Foundational Artificial Intelligence for the Moon and Mars

NASA

Solicitation: NNH25ZDA001N-FAIMM

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/b09d00a3-4b76-4540-8fea-9de1543e83c1

Posted Date: January 13, 2026

Proposal Due Date: April 28, 2026

Foundational Artificial Intelligence for the Moon and Mars (FAIMM) will enable individual researchers to participate as members of existing teams of scientists and artificial intelligence (AI) researchers who are designing science and exploration applications for large, general AI models known as Foundation Models (FMs). FMs harness large datasets to, e.g., transform science and exploration on the Moon and Mars and can be applied to a range of AI and Machine Learning (ML) tasks. Example applications include crater detection, feature identification, landing site assessment, and assessing evidence for the presence of water ice. The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Office of the Chief Science Data Officer is supporting the development of FMs for each division in the Science Mission Directorate by the NASA Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT), and this program element aims to maximize the benefit of this effort to planetary science and exploration.

In this collaborative and interdisciplinary effort, selected participants will work with each other, existing project team members, and AI researchers and engineers on one of two teams, one team working on applications for a Lunar FM and one team working on applications for a Martian FM. This program seeks to expand the personnel, team skills and expertise, datasets, and science and exploration disciplines contributing to large AI models, and no prior AI/ML experience is required. The FM, training data, and source code will be made publicly available as an open source, open weight model. Open weight refers to publishing the model parameters derived during training.

Collaborative Opportunities for Mentorship, Partnership and Academic Success in Science

NASA

NNH25ZDA001N-COMPASS

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId=%7b2DBE72FD-35D3-6723-D733-1F9429C08C29%7d&path=&method=init

Posted Date: Jan 13, 2026

Due Date: Mar 20, 2026

The Collaborative Opportunities for Mentorship, Partnership and Academic Success in Science (COMPASS) program funds collaborations between NASA Centers and academic institutions that will advance NASA’s scientific priorities and train the future STEM workforce. COMPASS prioritizes collaborations with academic institutions that have not traditionally been funded by NASA as part of an effort to provide funding to a broad range of recipients rather than to a select group of repeat players. COMPASS prioritizes research that reflect NASA and the Administration’s priorities and advance the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and NASA’s research goals. COMPASS creates undergraduate and graduate student research opportunities that provide professional development opportunities for students that help to build the United States’ STEM workforce.

Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA)

NIH

Solicitation: PAR-26-121

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/59c3ea57-ba49-4e96-9706-0528937de746

Posted Date: December 18, 2025

Proposal Due Dates:

January 27, 2026
May 27, 2026
January 27, 2027
May 27, 2027
January 27, 2028
May 26, 2028

The Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) provides support for individual investigators for research within the scientific mission of NIGMS via a single grant to achieve the following: Increase the stability of funding for NIGMS-supported investigators, which could enhance their ability to take on ambitious scientific projects and approach problems more creatively; Increase flexibility for investigators to follow important new research directions within the NIGMS mission as opportunities arise, rather than being bound to specific aims proposed in advance of the studies; More widely distribute…
funding among the nation’s highly talented and promising investigators to increase overall scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs; Reduce the time spent by researchers writing and reviewing grant applications, allowing them to spend more time conducting research; Reduce the administrative burden associated with a PD/PI managing multiple NIGMS research grants; and Enable PD(s)/PI(s) to devote more time and energy to mentoring junior scientists in a more stable research environment. This NOFO invites applications from eligible NIGMS-funded investigators and from New Investigators proposing research that is aligned with NIGMS’ scientific mission. The NOFO also allows renewal applications from all current MIRA grantees (including those previously funded as Early-Stage Investigators). Current Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) should apply through the ESI MIRA NOFO, not this NOFO.

Mechanisms for Amplification of fusion Reaction Rates in Solids (MARRS)

DARPA

Solicitation: HR001126S0007

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/83d366fd-a0b1-409b-9649-e01f44949bba

Posted Date: December 30, 2025

Proposer Day: January 20, 2026

Abstract Due Date: January 26, 2026 by 4:00 pm ET

Proposal Due Date: March 12, 2026 by 4:00 pm ET

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals in exploring and implementing mechanisms that amplify and increase the rates of nuclear fusion reactions in solids at and near Room Temperature (RT). Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. Specifically excluded is research primarily resulting in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.

With fusion in solids at low temperatures now reliably demonstrated (at very low rates), and with new theories elucidating numerous potential mechanisms for scaling fusion rates, MARRS will assess fundamental mechanisms that underpin solid state fusion reactions to determine the best way to predictively and reproducibly amplify fusion rates. The program emphasizes advancing our fundamental understanding with predictive models and experimental demonstrations of significant fusion rate increases on the path to rates required for future applications. This goal includes, if possible, the determination or prediction of fundamental physical limits of rate amplification.

MARRS performers will analyze and optimize factors for fusion rate amplification including, but not limited to, materials, fuel loading techniques, and methods for the efficient excitation of fusion reactions (triggers). Performers must implement State-of-the-Art (SOA) particle detection technologies and data acquisition systems to accurately and reliably detect fusion reaction products such as protons, neutrons, and gammas. Detection of heat (calorimetry) and other signatures of nuclear processes can complement particle detection; calorimetry alone is not sufficient.

B.5 Research and Development of Initiatives for Advanced New Technologies

NASA

Solicitation: NNH25ZDA001N-RADIANT

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={41FD555D-00B8-AE92-3285-4DE49EA8B6F1}&path=&method=init

Released Date: December 18, 2025

Required Letter of Intent Due Date: January 26, 2026

Proposal Due Date: April 27, 2026

RADIANT seeks innovative adaptations and applications of existing AI techniques, concepts, methodologies, etc. to demonstrate their feasibility and potential to increase science return, create AI ready data and data products as well as to inform Heliophysics science research disciplines of promising techniques and capabilities. A high priority is on those which interface to the Surya foundation model and demonstrate its value in accelerating scientific investigations.
RADIANT is intended to enable heliophysics science research to adopt AI tools to perform common functions. Notional areas of interest for proposals include, but are not limited to:
• Validation of the Surya foundation model through the use of a wide range of downstream applications.
• Demonstrations of the use of Surya in conducting scientific investigations.
• Tools and methods for analysis of observational Earth and heliophysics datasets to characterize solar impact on Earth’s climate change.
• Tools and methods for analysis of observational Earth and heliophysics datasets to identify correlations between solar and terrestrial phenomena (i.e., earthquakes, tsunami, etc.).
• Tools and methods to enable analysis of large volumes of heliophysics observational data to support solar and inner heliospheric processes.
• Tools and methods to enable analysis of large volumes of heliophysics observational data to validate independently an heliophysics model.
• Mature to the point of re-usability heliophysics-oriented capabilities previously developed under LSW/T&M, MDRAIT, HITS and/or other program elements.
• Demonstrate an approach for science validation of an AI model already developed. Proposed techniques must not use any of the AI techniques in the original model development.
• Tools that accelerate existing algorithms using ML surrogates like speeding up existing sub-components of physical models, ML-based PDE solvers, and whole physical model surrogates where there is already abundant input/output datasets available.
• Explainability & sensitivity for hypothesis testing and insight: Variational inputs to test hypotheses on processes that lead to target science outcome, varying training sets to produce an ensemble of models, thus ensemble of results, to estimate uncertainty with non-Gaussian or multi-modal outcomes, ML
architectures that explicitly include interpretable aspects.
• Create a comprehensive set of labeled features from an existing observational data set;
• Create AI data science products to advance automated mission operations;
• Develop general AI/ML data-related methods and approaches applicable to multiple NASA missions;
• Improving the calibration of data or using new techniques to calibrate data like self-calibration, etc.

UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS PROGRAM

DoT

Solicitation: UTCOPENCOMP2025

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/d52edfce-5d58-4cd2-86f8-380d12cedbef

Posted Date: December 22, 2025

Letter of Intent Due Date: January 19, 2026 by 5:00 pm ET

Proposal Due Date: February 20, 2026 by 5:00 pm ET

The objectives of each of these Centers are to:
• Advance transportation expertise and technology in the varied disciplines that comprise the field of transportation through education, research, and technology transfer activities;
• Provide for a critical multimodal transportation knowledge base outside of DOT; and
• Address critical workforce needs and educate the next generation of transportation leaders with respect to the statutory research priorities.
In support of these objectives, UTCs are also expected to:
• Conduct research that identifies and addresses gaps in current transportation knowledge and practice, ensuring that projects respond to real-world needs and emerging challenges;
• Foster the development and application of innovative concepts, tools, and technologies that have the potential to transform transportation systems and services, including enhancing the travel experience and ensuring reliable delivery of goods and services for American families;
• Contribute to the advancement of the state of the art and the state of practice in transportation by generating actionable insights, scalable solutions, and evidence-based recommendations for public and private sector stakeholders;
• Ensure that research findings inform the development of effective regulations, policies, and standards, supporting evidence-based decision-making at the local, State, and Federal levels; and
• Conduct technology development and transfer to practice and commercialization of such technology to transform transportation and advance DOT priorities.

NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award

NSF

Solicitation: 26-502

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/trailblazer-nsf-trailblazer-engineering-impact-award/nsf26-502/solicitation

Posted Date: December 11, 2025

Required Letter of Intent Due Date: January 20, 2026

Preliminary Proposal Due Date: March 10, 2026

Full Proposal Due Date: July 24, 2026

 

The NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) program supports individual investigators who propose novel research projects with the potential to innovatively and creatively address new areas of fundamental or applied research, catalyze development of new industries or capabilities that increase the leadership position for the country, and/or make significant progress towards addressing a national need or grand challenge, particularly in current priority areas including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI), bioengineering, quantum engineering, robotics, and nuclear engineering. TRAILBLAZER will support engineers and scientists who leverage their distinctive track record of innovation and creativity to pursue new research directions that are distinct from their previous or current research areas.

All funded TRAILBLAZER projects will form an NSF TRAILBLAZER cohort, and principal investigators will be expected to participate in an annual meeting. TRAILBLAZER investigators may also be invited to additional activities.

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR: The Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA) Office will host an informational webinar in early calendar year 2026 to discuss the TRAILBLAZER program and answer questions about the FY 2026 TRAILBLAZER solicitation. Details on how to join this webinar will be posted on the Directorate for Engineering and EFMA Websites.n

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