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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.

 

 

Enabling solubility and stability of functional ingredients

Halo

https://www.halo.science/request_for_solutions/creatine-in-beverages-and-liquids

Posted Date: March 01, 2026

Proposal Due Date: April 03, 2026

We are looking for a solution that enables creatine to be used in liquid products by improving its effective solubility and stability. The ideal solution should withstand thermal processing and maintain creatine’s functional benefits throughout at least 9 months, and ideally 12 months, of shelf life in finished liquid applications.

Solutions of interest include:
  • Chemical modification or derivatization
  • Encapsulation
  • Physical modification, including complexation
  • Matrix-based or formulation-enabled stabilization
  • Processing modification

Early Career Research Program (ECRP)

DOE

Solicitation: DE-FOA-0003602

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/b87fbc8e-bc65-49d2-af30-c7ac1d5168d4

Posted Date: March 03, 2026

Pre-Application Due Date: April 21, 2026 by 5:00 pm ET

Proposal Due Date: June 02, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET

DOE SC hereby invites applications for support under the ECRP in the following program areas: Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR); Basic Energy Sciences (BES); Biological and Environmental Research (BER); Fusion Energy Sciences (FES); High Energy Physics (HEP); Nuclear Physics (NP); Isotope Research and Development and Production (DOE IP). The purpose of this program is to support the development of individual research programs of outstanding scientists early in their careers and to stimulate research careers in the areas supported by SC.

 

High Temperature Polymers/Composites and Additive Manufacturing of High Temperature Materials

DoD

Solicitation: 64.15.15.B8451

https://ra.nas.edu/RAPLab10/Opportunity/opportunity.aspx?LabCode=64&ROPCD=641515&RONum=B8451

Posted Date: May 14, 2025

The basic and applied research focuses on the design, synthesis, and development of novel compounds/resins/polymers with unique high-temperature properties, flame resistant composites, and novel thermal protection system technologies. Potential applications for the innovative materials include structural (e.g., hypersonic vehicles, aircraft, ship, automobile, and missile), coating, and composite applications. Our research activities have resulted in the development and transition to applied DOD programs and to industry of novel high-temperature polymers/composites. A wide range of instruments are available for characterization and evaluation studies of the new materials in addition to collaborations with other DoD laboratories, industrial partners, and academic institutions. Experience with photochemical reactions, dye synthesis, and  characterization is a bonus.

High Power Solid-State Laser Science and Technologies

DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory

Solicitation: ARL-C-SEDD-1346786070

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ARL-C-SEDD-1346786070

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ARL-C-SEDD-1346786070

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ARL-C-SEDD-1346786070

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ARL-C-SEDD-1346786070

Ceramic Synthesis and Processing

DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory

Solicitation: ARL-R-WMRD-300034-SEM

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ARL-R-WMRD-300034-SEM

Posted Date: March 7, 2025

 

Opportunities exist for foundational and early applied research and development (R&D) efforts towards enabling the next generation ceramics and ceramic composites for Army systems. Research activities include: 1) novel synthesis and processing techniques for opaque and transparent ceramics and composites with optimal structure/properties for extreme environments and high-rate impact, 2) advanced manufacturing science for development of heterogeneous multi-scale ceramics and interfaces with high fracture and failure tolerance, 3) high-throughput simulation, machine learning and design optimization for processing-structure-property relationships, and 4) high-throughput non-destructive evaluation and characterization for materials discovery.

Candidates of interest are U.S. Citizens with a Ph.D. or M.S. (B.S. or student may be considered with suitable background) in Ceramic Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering and science discipline.

Preferred attributes include a strong knowledge of ceramic engineering principles and analytical and mechanical characterization techniques. Specialized expertise also desired in areas of ceramic synthesis methods, inorganic chemistry, colloidal particle suspension dispersion and rheology, advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, high-rate mechanisms, advanced manufacturing, process control and modeling, and AI/ML techniques.

 

Development of Microfluidic Devices as High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Tools for Synthetic Biology Applications

DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory

Solicitation: ARL-R-BBS-400011-F1

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ARL-R-BBS-400011-F1

Posted Date: March 7, 2025

We are looking for a microfluidics engineer (cartridge engineer) to perform research in microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip, and/or systems engineering. This role will require being highly collaborative and cross functional; partnering with collaborating subject matter experts (SMEs) in synthetic biology, environmental microbiology , and bioinformatics. Main responsibilities will be the fabrication of microfluidic chips and conducting experiments as defined by the Principal Investigator. The candidate is expected to work together with other engineers and scientists in the laboratory, write project reports, and publish results in journals.

Responsibilities: • Conduct research and development work in the assigned project. • Conduct proof of concept studies on ideas that can form the basis of new proposals. • Manage the assigned projects independently and help other lab personnel. • When appropriate, prepare scientific manuscripts for journal publications and present research results in scientific conferences and seminars. Required Education/Conditions: • B.S or M.S. In Engineering, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Biophysics, or related disciplines. Focus and demonstrable interest in consumables, microfluidics, bioinstrumentation, or product development. • Ability to hold U.S. Citizenship and obtain Secret-level security clearance Preferred Experience: • Extensive experience in microfluidic, lab-on-a-chip, organ-on-a-chip system development, and their applications • Support sustaining and continuous improvements for microfluidic chip (consumables) part drawings using CAD and Multiphysics simulation (COMSOL) software as necessary • Assists in preparation of documentation, BoM, drawings, specification documentation to enable to launch of new projects or improve existing sustaining projects • Experience in handling cells (mammalian cells, microorganisms) in microsystems • Technically skillful in disciplines including optics, microfluidics, heat transfer, precision motion, electronics, & basic principles of electromagnetism . • Experience with specification and requirement management systems (such as JAMA), design traceability, design verification and validation. • Experience in process engineering methodologies such as FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), Fishbone Diagrams, Critical Parameter Management, and Design for Manufacturability to measure and improve process capability and robustness • Experience in performing original research and publishing high-quality research papers Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Knowledge of current research, issue, and innovations in microsystems • Extensive experiences in micro/nano fabrication in cleanroom environment • Engineering aptitude to participate in design reviews and assist during device optimization • Excellent communication skills – both writing and verbal • Ability to manage complex projects • Working knowledge design CAD systems like SolidWorks, AutoDesk, EagleCAD, etc

Identifying Material Behavior from Measurements and Simulations in Advanced Mechanical Testing

NIST

Solicitation: 50.64.21.C0832

https://ra.nas.edu/RAPLab10/Opportunity/opportunity.aspx?LabCode=50&ROPCD=506421&RONum=C0832

Posted Date: May 21, 2025

 

The integration of measurements and simulations is increasingly used to improve the understanding of mechanical testing results and provides a means to advance the mechanical testing paradigm toward fewer, more complex tests that increase throughput and provide rich datasets that can be exploited by machine learning and artificial intelligence. Current advanced mechanical testing activities involve three-dimensional surface digital image correlation (DIC) datasets with fully three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) results in mechanical test setups on metals and polymers including uni-axial and bi-axial loading at different strain rates and temperatures. Identifying material properties and constitutive model parameters from the integrated data sets currently focuses on the finite element model updating (FEMU) method, but there is interest in expanding to include inverse methods based on model-inspired analysis of experimental data by itself. Additional data streams from infrared imaging and diffraction stress measurements further enriches the available data from which material behavior can be extracted. Separate work is being done to develop robust algorithms to quantitatively compare the physical and simulated experimental results. This opportunity focuses on the use of inverse methods to determine material properties and key constitutive model parameters, and to develop new material-dependent test strategies to deliver more diverse information from fewer experiments.

Computational Aeroelasticity and Fluid/Structure Interaction

Air Force

Solicitation: 13.30.09.B4943

https://ra.nas.edu/RAPLab10/Opportunity/opportunity.aspx?LabCode=13&ROPCD=133009&RONum=B4943

Posted Date: March 7, 2025

 

The need to expand flight envelopes and mission requirements for existing aircraft, and the design of new flexible and highly maneuverable aircraft such as small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) has driven interest in developing nonlinear aeroelastic analysis capabilities. Research opportunities focus on the simulation of complex fluid/structure interactions. Emphasis is placed on coupling high fidelity, nonlinear, fluid dynamics solvers with nonlinear structural mechanics. These simulation techniques will be used to investigate the response of flexible aircraft structural components to unsteady aerodynamic loadings. Research topics include (1) the development of algorithms to solve the nonlinear structural dynamics equations coupled with fluid dynamics equations; (2) development and application of high fidelity tools for the analysis of flexible wing, small UAVs; (3) application of computational tools for detailed investigations of fluid/structure interaction problems, including buffet phenomena, flutter, and limit cycle oscillations; (4) novel techniques for grid deformation and fluid/structure interface treatment; and (5) development of multidisciplanary fluid/structure algorithms appropriate for a massively parallel computing environment.

Exploring Material Behavior Across Scales: Mechanical Characterization, Microstructural Analysis, FEA/AI/ML Modeling, and Automation Approaches

NIST

Solicitation: 50.64.21.C0998

https://ra.nas.edu/RAPLab10/Opportunity/opportunity.aspx?LabCode=50&ROPCD=506421&RONum=C0998

Posted Date: May 21, 2025

 

This research topic is not limited to the methods or techniques discussed below. We encourage interested researchers with diverse backgrounds and expertise in automation, mechanical characterization, microstructural analysis, modeling, and/or data science to reach out and apply, as a variety of perspectives will be invaluable in advancing our understanding of material behavior and design.

We are seeking researchers to contribute to the development and application of advanced measurement and automation techniques for exploring processing-structure-property-performance (PSPP) relationships in materials. The primary focus of this work is on mechanical characterization, microstructural analysis, and finite element analysis (FEA) and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) modeling to investigate material behavior across different length scales, stress states, and temperatures. This research aims to provide new insights into the complex relationship between material structure and mechanical properties in a range of materials, including additively manufactured materials (e.g., powder bed fusion, direct energy deposition, and additive friction stir deposition) and newly developed wrought materials for automotive and aerospace applications.

Mechanical characterization tools such as quasi-static load frames with various capacities, high-rate servo-hydraulic load frames, compression and tension split Hopkinson bars (Kolsky bars), and instrumented hardness machines (Vickers and nanohardness) will be employed. Real-time surface deformation will also be captured using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and thermography to investigate material behavior under various loading conditions.

Microstructural analysis will be conducted using advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (XRD) to explore the structure-property relationships of materials across different length scales. Thermophysical properties, such as heat capacity, and thermal conductivity, under nonequilibrium conditions will also be measured using novel measurement techniques.

Additionally, FEA and AI/ML techniques will be employed to discover previously unknown correlations between processing conditions, material microstructure, and mechanical performance. These tools will be used to develop predictive models that capture material behavior, facilitating our understanding of PSPP relationships across various materail scales, stress states, and temperatures.

Scientist/Engineer: Distributed Systems State Estimation

DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory

Solicitation: ARL-R-SEDD-300099-PEQS

https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ARL-R-SEDD-300099-PEQS

Posted Date: March 7, 2025

 

The Army Research Laboratory’s Electronics for Sense and Control seeks to enable revolutionary advances in three interconnected research spaces: 1) navigation and localization, 2) small scale autonomous systems, and 3) human physiological state monitoring. While an individual will have a specific project, it is expected that s/he will contribute across the full research space. The group’s approach includes the development of novel, distributed state estimation methodologies, linear and nonlinear controls integration, computer science and hardware engineering to realize a generalized framework for information acquisition and fusion in uncertain environments.
The ESC team is comprised of a diverse technical team with highly interconnected projects. We foster an environment where hard work is rewarded; integrity is respected; and, insight, wherever it may come from, is valued.  We honestly believe that a diversity of opinions should not only be respected, but it is expected, and we think that it is the only way to enable revolutionary advances.  Team members each bring a unique skill set that we expect them to apply across completely novel applications.  Individuals are expected to be highly self-reliant, and simultaneously capable and willing to work across disciplines in dynamic team projects.  The pace of projects is very fast; the expectations are exceptionally high; but, foremost, we value each team member, and advocate for a healthy balance in everyone’s life.  We are looking to recruit new individual(s).  They should be able to not only contribute from day 1, but be willing to learn from day 1. All eligible applicants including veterans, wounded warriors, and those with non-traditional educations are encouraged to apply.

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