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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.

 

 

A.3 NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission Data, Applications, Research, and Technology Team

NASA

Solicitation: NNH25ZDA001N-NISAR

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={0073A14E-AFC3-13BD-0128-56AFE0030B08}&path=&method=init

Posted Date: Feb 12, 2026

Due Date: May 14, 2026

 

The NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR: http://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov) mission evolved from the radar element of the Deformation, Ecosystem Structure, and Dynamics of Ice (DESDynI) mission concept from the 2007 U.S. National Research Council (NRC) Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond; referred to as the “2007 Decadal Survey”. NASA established a partnership with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2014 to develop a mission that could achieve the science objectives for the radar elements outlined in the 2007 Decadal Survey.
The NISAR mission is providing large scale data sets of Earth surface dynamics that are critical to three Earth Science disciplines: 1) Earth Surface and Interior (Deformation), 2) Terrestrial Ecology (Vegetation, Carbon Cycle) and 3) Cryosphere (Climate Change), and will contribute to others including Terrestrial Hydrology (Water Cycle). NISAR will also provide valuable data for numerous science applications including hazard/disaster management cycle (i.e., earthquakes, volcanic unrests, oil spills, flooding, wildland fires), agriculture and food security, forest and wetland management, infrastructure monitoring, and costal resilience. In addition to the science and applications identified in the 2007 Decadal Survey, the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG) found that by increasing NISAR’s downlink bandwidth, NISAR could collect higher resolution data over North America and could provide a near global soil moisture product, both capabilities directly benefiting the land monitoring U.S. Federal agencies. Additionally, this increased bandwidth enables NISAR to collect data in the coastal regions to about 650km offshore of the continental United States (East and West Coasts) and Hawaii along with the Gulf of Coast to the Lesser Antilles including the Caribbean Sea to enable sea wind measurements (i.e., hurricanes and atmospheric rivers) and study ocean and coastal processes.

National Quantum and Nanotechnology Infrastructure

NSF

Solicitation: 26-505

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361297

Posted Date: Feb 13, 2026

Due Date: May 14, 2026

 

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Quantum and Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NQNI) program will empower researchers nationwide to advance critical and emerging technologies. Through NQNI, NSF will establish an open-access network of research facilities to spur innovations in future quantum technologies, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, biotechnology, and other areas of national priority. The NQNI solicitation establishes a competition for a network of university user facility Sites. The selection of user facility Sites will be based on their technical capabilities and instrumentation (specifically, fabrication, characterization, and expertise) to address current and anticipated user needs across quantum information science and engineering (QISE), nanoscience, nanoengineering, and nanotechnology. Site selection will also be based on plans to open facilities and instrumentation for external use, education, training, outreach, and workforce development. In a later stage, NSF will select an NQNI Coordinating Office from among the Sites; the Coordinating Office will enhance and coordinate NQNI collective impacts that serve the Nation’s quantum and nanotechnology innovators.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)

NSF

26-504

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/prfb-postdoctoral-research-fellowships-biology

Posted Date: February 9, 2026

Proposal Due Date: September 29, 2026

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biological Research has the potential to pave the way for breakthroughs in biotechnology and bio-system design that will create innovations, new industries, and jobs. To capitalize on this promise, the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) will make awards for Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) to recent doctoral degree recipients, for proposals with a research and training focus at the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Biological Sciences to Strengthen and Safeguard Biotechnology Innovations. Applying AI to highly complex biological systems will reveal unknown mechanisms in the natural world that hold promise for technological developments.

Candidates with AI and/or biology experience will develop deep expertise in both by proposing additional training in both areas. These combinations of current expertise and new cross-training will produce scientists who work seamlessly at the intersection of AI and biology. The fellows are expected to become field leaders who use AI capabilities to extrapolate from biological data to technological advances.

Proposers are encouraged to consider how to leverage the nation’s diversity of existing biological data, and biological infrastructure, such as Biofoundries, Programmable Cloud Labs, Manufacturing USA Institutes, and NEON, to accelerate discovery, innovation and the biotechnology that improves human lives, promotes the U.S. economy, and benefits the nation.

CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service

NSF

Solicitation: 26-503

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361238

Posted Date: February 4, 2026

Proposal Deadline: July 21, 2026

 

Government and the nation face a talent shortfall in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program welcomes proposals that address AI and cybersecurity education and workforce development. CyberAI refers to using AI in cybersecurity as well as providing security and resilience for AI systems.

  • The Scholarship Track provides funding to establish, or to continue, scholarship for service programs with integrated AI and cybersecurity components (CyberAI). Scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and work after graduation in the AI or cybersecurity mission of a government organization for a period of at least the length of the scholarship.
  • The Innovation Tracksupports projects that enhance preparation of AI and/or cybersecurity professionals. Projects may expand existing educational opportunities, curricula, degree programs, educational pathways, methods and interventions, and partnerships among institutions of higher education, government, and employers.

Artificial Intelligence for Material Allowables in Additive Manufacturing (AIM-4AM)

America Makes

Artificial Intelligence for Material Allowables in Additive Manufacturing (AIM-4AM)

Posted Date: January 29, 2026

Proposal Due Date: March 25, 2026

This project call seeks to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) driven framework to identify and quantify risks within the existing material allowables approach for 17- 4PH stainless steel in the H1025 condition produced via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). By leveraging predictive modeling and machine learning techniques, the framework will enable  reductions in physical testing to be explicitly associated with quantified probabilities, severities, or categories of risk, supporting agile, informed decision-making for production-relevant parts. This approach has the potential to significantly reduce time and cost associated with traditional allowables development while maintaining appropriate risk tolerance, thereby accelerating qualification and certification of additively manufactured materials. Aligned with priorities of the Department of Defense Joint Additive Manufacturing Working Group (JAMWG) to develop pedigreed AM materials data, the program aims to validate AI-driven risk predictions and establish a streamlined, acceptance-ready testing protocol that delivers substantial return on investment for both defense and commercial high-performance applications.

Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing (PADAM) 2.0

America Makes

Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing (PADAM) 2.0

Posted Date: January 29, 2026

Proposal Due Date: March 15, 2026

Proposed efforts are expected to generate application-relevant data, improve process robustness and qualification readiness, and deliver actionable insights that reduce technical and industrial risk while enabling realistic transition pathways. Collectively, the outcomes of this call are intended to provide mutual value to DoD and industry by accelerating informed adoption of refractory alloys in additive manufacturing. The call encompasses three complementary topic areas listed below. 

  • Topic 1: Existing Refractory Alloy Systems – Maturing existing alloy systems with a focus on achieving an established AM process and generation of high-temperature material property data. Up to two awards are anticipated, with a maximum funding amount of $2M per award.
  • Topic 2: Novel or Emerging Refractory Alloy Systems – Advancing novel or emerging refractory alloys with demonstrated feasibility, emphasizing clear value-add for high-temperature applications. One award is anticipated, with a maximum funding amount of $1.7M.
  • Topic 3: Refractory Alloy Supply Chain Assessment (Mine-to-Qualified Part) – Assessing the end-to-end refractory alloy supply chain from raw material extraction to qualification of AM components, including environmentally relevant testing and evaluation capabilities and availability. One award is anticipated, with a maximum funding amount of $300K.

2026 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research

DOE

Solicitation: DE-FOA-003541 Topic Area 2

https://neup.inl.gov/open-funding-opportunities/  Topic Area 2 only

Posted Date: December 15, 2026

Proposal Due Date: April 9, 2026

The development of nuclear energy-related infrastructure and basic capabilities in the research community is necessary to promote Research and Development (R&D) that supports nuclear science
and engineering (NS&E), the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) mission, and the nation’s nuclear energy
challenges. Through the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), the Department of Energy (DOE)
intends to facilitate the education and training of nuclear scientists, engineers, and policymakers through graduate and undergraduate study, two-year programs, and R&D that is relevant to the NE and the U.S. nuclear energy industry in general.

The specific goals of the Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research
NOFO (referred to as “CINR Infrastructure NOFO”) are:
• To support, maintain, or enhance the institution’s capacities to attract and teach high quality students interested in nuclear energy-related studies;
• Build the institution’s research or education capabilities; and
• Enhance the institution’s capabilities to perform R&D that is relevant to NE’s mission.

 

2026 Distinguished Early Career Program

DOE / NEUP

Solicitation: DE-FOA-0003540

https://neup.inl.gov/open-funding-opportunities/

Posted Date: December 15, 2025

Proposal Due Date: March 03, 2026

The Distinguished Early Career Program (DECP) is DOE-NE’s most prestigious award for the most innovative distinguished faculty members beginning their independent careers. The intent of the program is to provide stable support to those faculty to form the impactful research groups, innovative lines of inquiry, educational approaches, and critical new research directions that will drive the next generation of nuclear energy innovation.

The intent of this NOFO is to award approximately four awards, for up to five (5) years, to distinguished early career applications that provide a clear research and education plan that highlights the applicant’s research and educational strengths; the research and education vision to support the development of the faculty member; and research infrastructure, curriculum, and outcomes that will advance the applicant’s research focus while training the next generation of nuclear energy professionals.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN AERONAUTICS (ROA- 2025)

NASA

Solicitation: NNH25ZEA001N

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary!init.do?solId={CA4C933E-A3EB-3458-01DA-68A0F0F04F30}&path=open

Posted Date: Apr 30, 2025

Due Date: Jun 20, 2026

 

This NASA Research Announcement (NRA), entitled RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN AERONAUTICS (ROA) – 2025, solicits foundational and system-level research in support of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This NRA covers a variety of topics in aeronautics fundamental research that are being pursued by NASA personnel. Specific research thrusts are outlined in the Appendices. A major focus of this NRA is to encourage collaboration between other organizations and NASA to help advance ARMD strategic goals. Details for award scope are provided for each project task area listed in the Appendices. Awards will be made as grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, depending on the nature of the work proposed.

FUTURE INVESTIGATORS IN NASA EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

NASA

Solicitation: NNH25ZDA001N-FINESST

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary!init.do?solId={F9C7B701-6405-FD55-6705-EB4B190646B8}&path=open

Posted Date: Jul 10, 2025

Tentative Due Date: Aug 31, 2026

 

Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST)
solicits proposals from accredited U.S. universities and other eligible organizations for graduate student-designed and performed research projects that contribute to SMD’s science, technology, and exploration goals. The Future Investigator (FI), i.e., the student, shall have the primary initiative to define the proposed FINESST research project and must be the primary author, with input or supervision from the proposal’s Principal Investigator (PI), as appropriate. The Future Investigator (FI) named on the proposal is primarily responsible for writing a FINESST proposal.
The proposal must present a well-defined research problem/activity and a justification of its scientific significance to NASA, as well as a detailed approach for its conduct. All FINESST proposals must address their relevance to at least one participating SMD division (see Section 4.1.1).

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