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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 Lori Jarmon (ljjarmon@iastate.edu, 294-3316) 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.

NAWCTSD R&D Broad Agency Announcement

Updated: Apr 29, 2026, Extended: February 25, 2026 by 06:00 pm EST

DoD

Solicitation: N61340-21-R-0045

https://sam.gov/opp/783cacb4790445f0a7d9146a00eda6f2/view

Posted Date: April 29, 2025

Response Date:  Feb 09, 2026 by 06:00 pm EST

NAWCTSD has comprehensive simulation and training systems responsibilities ranging from research and technology base development through system acquisition and life cycle support.  The Research and Engineering Competency is NAWCTSD’s arm of the laboratory system.  Its mission is to plan and perform a full range of directed R&D in support of Naval training systems.  The work covers the broad spectrum of training simulation technology as applied across mission areas and all stages of training.  It is intended that programs under the BAA include Fundamental research related to this mission.  “Fundamental Research” means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons.

AFTAC Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) 2024

DoD

Solicitation: FA702224SC001

https://sam.gov/opp/c2bef9c95b5643039f5a80db675ca5d4/view

Posted Date: April 25, 2024
Response Due Date: May 09, 2029, by 11:59 pm EDT

This Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(b)(c)(d) and Class Deviation 2022-O0007 – Defense Commercial Solutions Opening, is a competitive solicitation of proposals focused on technologies to meet the Air Force Technical Application Center’s (AFTAC) mission.

AFTAC is looking for new capabilities in nuclear treaty monitoring, advanced detection technologies to support the counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other applied technologies.

AFTAC seeks the best approaches to meet the technology objectives within the capability areas listed below.  Detailed topics associated with each capability area appear in Attachment 6.

TOPIC:

AFTAC-001, GEOPHYSICS AND SEISMOLOGY

AFTAC-002, ATMOSPHERE AND SPACE

AFTAC-003, DIRECTED ENEGRY WEAPON (DEW)

AFTAC-004, NUCLEAR AND NUCLEAR-RELATED MATERIALS ANALYSIS

AFTAC-005, MATERIALS MODELING AND ANALYSIS

AFTAC-006, ENTERPRISE WIDE INTEGRATION AND ARCHITECTURE MODERNIZATION

AFTAC-007, ENTERPRISE ASSET AND LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS

AFTAC-008, HIGH PERFORMANCE AND SECURE CLOUD COMPUTING AND DEV OPS SOLUTIONS FOR DATA INGESTION, EXPLOITATION, AND DISSEMINATION

This is a follow-on solicitation to AFTAC_CSO_2023

Burn n’ Go Proposers Day

DOD

Solicitation: DARPA-SN-25-65

https://sam.gov/opp/a6fbd6004dc54d11927e233e5130ed0a/view

Posted Date: April 17, 2025

Response Due Date: May 05, 2025, by 05:00 pm EDT

The objective of BnG is to develop a new solid rocket motor (SRM) design with tailorable, post-manufacturing thrust control that enables improved performance and manufacturing efficiency. While several material science-based approaches have shown promise in this area, the program is open to considering any viable options that can achieve this goal regardless of their underlying technical approach. BnG will leverage materials science innovations which control the burn surface area post-production, streamline quality control timelines for ignition systems and propellant casting, and real-time health monitoring of the SRM. The ultimate objective is to develop a robust, reliable, and predictable technology that can be tailored to a specific thrust profile after manufacturing. This technology should endeavor to enable a single motor’s use across multiple weapon systems while unlocking new capabilities and applications, enabling flexible weapons procurement and large-scale production/stockpiling.

Dual Use Technology Development at Marshall Space Flight Center Fiscal Year (FY) 2025

NASA

Solicitation: 80MSFC25M0001

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary!init.do?solId={C28F97FC-4237-EAF5-FA7C-E69D3BAD0789}&path=open

Posted Date: April 10, 2025

Proposal Due Date: June 30, 2025 by 11:59 pm ET

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is being used to create partnerships between NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and U.S. based companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations. The purpose of these partnerships is to conduct technology development projects that are mutually beneficial to both the partner institution and for NASA. MSFC engineers and their external partners are developing advanced technologies and sustainable solutions to benefit NASA, industry, academia, and government. MSFC’s application and refinement of innovative design tools define the agency’s leadership in engineering the systems, hardware, and techniques needed to return to the Moon. The goal is to create collaborative, resource-sharing projects where the NASA partner is developing a technology primarily for its own public purposes, and NASA can provide financial support or other
assistance.

Mind, Machine and Motor Nexus (M3X)

NSF

Solicitation: PD 25-058Y

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/m3x-mind-machine-motor-nexus

Posted Date: April 16, 2025

Proposals Accepted Anytime

The Mind, Machine, and Motor Nexus (M3X) program supports fundamental research that enables intelligent engineered systems and humans to engage in bidirectional interaction in a physics-based environment, to enhance and ensure safety, productivity, and well-being.

For the purpose of this program an intelligent engineered system is a human-designed system — physical, virtual, or a combination of both — that interacts with its environment to achieve specific goals. These systems collect data, analyze it to make informed decisions, and take actions that enhance safety, efficiency, and well-being. They may operate autonomously or collaboratively with humans, adapting their actions based on the data they collect.  A key requirement for the M3X program is that these systems must function within a physics-based environment, whether physical or virtual, where interactions exhibit recognizable physical behaviors, such as those associated with gravity, friction, force, and inertia.

Intelligent engineered systems are becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, interacting with humans across diverse environments and through different modalities (for example, visual, haptic, auditory). M3X aims to deepen the understanding of such interactions, particularly in complex and dynamic settings such as elder care, disaster response, and dynamic workplaces. The program encourages explorations into the physical or cognitive principles that enable or constrain human-machine collaboration, advancing foundational theories, interaction modeling, and technological innovations that enhance adaptability, efficiency, and intuitiveness.

AIR DELIVERED EFFECTS UNIVERSITY DAY 2025

AFRL/ RW

Solicitation: FA8651-22-S-0001

https://sam.gov/opp/0f7bcd72bac4439db19f9bba68116af6/view

Posted Date: April 15, 2025

Proposal Due Date: May 14, 2025 by 3:00 pm CT

This CALL is open to U.S. Universities only. The purpose of this CALL is to solicit leading-edge
research from academic collaborators that currently do not have a relationship with AFRL/RW.
However, AFRL/RW will consider all U.S. Universities’ proposals. AFRL/RW intends to award short term seedling projects only in the following two research areas that will allow AFRL/RW Government
researchers to assess the value and the partnering relationship feasibility, technical quality, and return on investment. Proposal(s) submitted in response to this CALL that are selected for award are the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in
Contracting Act of 1984.
Research Area Topics:
• RA 2 – BIOPRINCIPIC SYSTEMS (SENSORS, PROCESSING, CONTROL, AND
MATERIALS) (RWTCA) with Research Title: Collective Swarming Resulting from Emerging
Behavior by Autonomous Biological
• RA 17 – WEAPON AUTONOMY AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH (RWTA)
with Research Title: Computationally Efficient, Intelligent Guidance and Control Algorithms

Education and Broadening Participation in Earth Sciences (EAR EBP)

NSF

Solicitation: PD 25-1575

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/ear-ebp-education-broadening-participation-earth-sciences

Posted On: April 11, 2025

Response Due Date: Accepted Anytime

Synopsis

The Division of Earth Sciences’ Education and Broadening Participation Program (EBP) facilitates activities that engage a wide range of audiences in Earth Sciences research efforts, which are:

1) Research Experiences for Undergraduates and Teachers: This program provides funding to academic institutions that allows them to offer summer internships to undergraduate students and opportunities for teachers who would like to participate in earth sciences related research efforts.

2) EAR Postdoctoral Fellowships: The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowships to highly qualified investigators within 24 months of obtaining their PhD to carry out an integrated program of independent research and professional development.

3) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER): This program supports pre-tenure researchers who would like to combine their research efforts with excellent educational programs.  EAR EBP prioritizes co-funding of CAREER awards that include a focus on broadening participation in the geosciences.

4) Unsolicited (“ad hoc”) Proposals: Creative efforts to support recruitment and retention of talented individuals in Earth sciences are also supported as “ad hoc” proposals submitted through EAR Education & Broadening Participation.

 

The Research on Research Security Program (RoRS)

NSF

Solicitation: PD 25-275Y

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/rors-research-research-security-program

Posted On: April 11, 2025

Response Due Date: Accepted Anytime

Synopsis

NSF is committed to securing the nation’s research enterprise as part of its core mission. The Research on Research Security (RoRS) program will advance the understanding of the full scope, potential, challenges, and nature of the research on research security field through scholarly evidence.

 

Incorporating Human Behavior in Epidemiological Models (IHBEM)

NSF

Solicitation: NSF 25-538

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/ihbem-incorporating-human-behavior-epidemiological-models

Posted On: April 10 2025

Response Due Date: July 14 2025 by submitting organization’s local time

Synopsis

The Incorporating Human Behavior in Epidemiological Models (IHBEM) program supports research that incorporates social and behavioral processes in mathematical epidemiological models. The program provides support for projects that involve integrated participation from the mathematical and social, behavioral, and economic sciences.

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Webster Outlying Field (WOLF) Airborne Systems Integration (ASI) Division

DoD

Solicitation: N68335-25-R-0403

https://sam.gov/opp/ae9fefc902524a73a8842b732cd819da/view

Posted Date: April 09, 2025

White Paper Due Date: April 09, 2026 by 4:00 pm ET

Proposals by Invitation

NAWCAD Lakehurst, NJ in support of WOLF ASI Division is soliciting white papers/proposals for research and development support in technologies that are applicable to the following: air platforms, manned and unmanned payloads, advanced computing and processing, air platform support systems, advanced air system security and protection, and improved Naval air capabilities. Example focus areas include improved technologies, techniques or advanced applications of communications, Electro-Optical (EO), Infrared (IR), Radio Frequency (RF), acoustic and non-acoustic sensors, persistent surveillance technologies, and special sensor systems for Navy manned aircraft and Unmanned Air Systems (UAS).

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