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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.

Low-Cost Interceptor

MDA / DoD

Solicitation: HQ0860-25-S-C003

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/2f2bf84e004b4d9a8a01f445603c3a89/view

Posted Date: September 04, 2025

Required White Paper Due Date: September 29, 2025

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) “Low-Cost Interceptor (LCI)” solicitation provides industry an opportunity to provide the Government with innovative approaches to rapidly demonstrate very low cost (<$750K per missile), modular interceptor designs to counter ballistic and hypersonic threats. This solicitation is for a concept demonstration effort utilizing readily available components and technologies within a very compressed schedule.

This solicitation seeks industry innovation for the design, prototyping, and testing of a Low-Cost Interceptor (LCI) to supplement legacy missile defense systems and provide low-cost options to
support the rebalancing of the offense/defense cost disparity. To effectively defend against large scale attacks from low cost, Supersonic Cruise Missiles (SCM), SRBM/MRBM, and Hypersonic
Glide Vehicles (HGV), MDA is examining interceptor options for considerably decreased unit costs in exchange for a slightly reduced performance rate.

Influenza Transmission Research Consortium

NIH

Solicitation: RFA-AI-25-035

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-25-035.html

Posted Date: September 03, 2025

Earliest Submission Date: October 07, 2025

Proposal Due Date: November 07, 2025 by 5:00 pm Local Time

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to support basic research to understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying human-to-human transmission of seasonal influenza virus. The NOFO will establish an Influenza Transmission Research Consortium comprised of a network of individual Influenza Transmission Research Centers. Centers should propose collaborative, multidisciplinary teams that will investigate the dynamics and drivers of influenza transmission and develop novel resources to further the field of respiratory virus transmission.

Research Initiatives in Support of FHWA Bridges and Structures Programs

DOT

Solicitation: 693JJ3-23-BAA-0001 Call 3.0

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/3a1f571c724a4b4cbfa1634aa264e5d3/view

Posted Date: September 02, 2025

Concept Paper Due Date: November 03, 2025 by 12:00 pm ET

Proposals by invitation only.

The purpose of this project is to collect and synthesize an academic-grade evaluation of data collected in response to the December 13, 2021 memo, and/or perform forensic evaluation on any cores that remain to support that analysis. The goal of this effort is to put data in the public domain that can be used to enhance national specifications in terms of ultrasonic inspection and bridge design for fracture.

FHWA is seeking solutions that address one or both of the following two objectives:

1. Link the decibel rating of rejectable defect(s) within a core to a forensic evaluation of the defect(s) type, size, and orientation.

2. For quality control, some owners specified performance testing of UT technicians, and/or instituted multiple levels of UT inspection of the same weld by different UT technicians to validate indications before officially reporting them as “rejectable.”

The xTechHumanoid Competition

ARMY

The xTechHumanoid Competition

Posted Date: August 06, 2025

Concept Papers Due: October 01, 2025

The U.S. Army is seeking innovative humanoid technology solutions from eligible small and large businesses across the globe to advance toward fielded militarized humanoid capabilities through the xTechHumanoid competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to engage with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), earn prize money and potentially receive a contract award or agreement of up to $1.25 million.  

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) is partnering with the Humanoid Community of Collaboration, a collaboration with the joint service and DOD, to deliver the xTechHumanoid competition. The U.S. Army recognizes that the U.S. DOD must enhance engagements with industry by (1) understanding the spectrum of ‘world-class’ technologies being developed commercially that may benefit U.S. DOD; (2) integrating the sector of non-traditional innovators into the U.S. DoD Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; and (3) providing expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies of interest to the U.S. DOD in support of the Soldier.  

Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

DHHS

Solicitation: PAR-25-322

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358879

Posted Date: August 25, 2025

Proposal Due Date: August 25, 2028

The Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant supports an innovative project that represents a change in research direction for an early stage investigator (ESI) and for which no preliminary data exist. Applications submitted to this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) must not include preliminary data. Applications must include a separate attachment describing the change in research direction. The proposed project must be related to the programmatic interests of one or more of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) based on their scientific missions.

 

Dear Colleague Letter Supplemental Funding Requests to Support K-12 Artificial Intelligence Teams for the Presidential AI Challenge through Community-based Partnerships

NSF

Solicitation: 25-036

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/dcl-supplemental-funding-requests-support-k-12-artificial

Posted Date: August 25, 2025

Proposal Due Date: November 07, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

With this Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for STEM Education wishes to notify the community of its intention to support supplemental funding requests from the Principal Investigators (PIs) with current active NSF awards from the Directorate for STEM Education to support the Presidential Initiative on Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth.

In response to the Presidential AI Challenge to ignite interest and develop foundational expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) among American youth, NSF aims to leverage funding from large PI communities and provide supplemental funding to support the development of hands-on and experiential learning opportunities, expand early access to high-quality AI learning opportunities, and prepare the future generations to succeed in a rapidly evolving, AI-enabled world. The goal is to support efforts, resources, and outreach for this Presidential AI Challenge widely through different organizations and regions across the nation.

This DCL is designed to provide supplemental funding for current Principal Investigators (PIs) of AI related projects to serve as Team Catalysts, forming and supporting teams to participate in the Presidential AI Challenge through targeted outreach, coordination, and mentorship. For each supplement, the requested amount is up to $25,000. We expect that approximately 100 multi-person teams will be supported to foster creativity, exploration, and innovation in AI learning across grade levels and communities.

 

Dear Colleague Letter Expanding K-12 Resources For AI Education

NSF

Solicitation: 25-035

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/dcl-expanding-k-12-resources-ai-education

Posted Date: August 22, 2025

Proposal Due Date: December 01, 2025

Invites supplemental funding requests to current NSF awardees in certain NSF directorates to support the expansion of K-12 resources for AI education.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has made extensive investments in fundamental research, center-scale institutes, technology transition, outreach, and education related to the science and applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) seeks to build upon these investments to advance the goals of the Executive Order on Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth by providing resources for K-12 AI education. To advance the goals of the executive order, NSF will accept supplemental funding proposals from existing awardees with K-12 AI or computer science education experience to refine, scale, evaluate, and/or implement established K-12 activities. Further information about eligible awardees specific to their NSF Directorate can be found at the end of this DCL. Supplement proposals should be for specific and focused educational efforts at the K-12 level that address age-appropriate AI education/literacy, and/or the use of technologies in AI education to facilitate adoption by educational partners. Activities with the potential to be implemented in classrooms within 12 months of the supplement award date will be prioritized for funding.

ExLENT and ATE Supplement Opportunity “Expanding AI Career and Skilled Technical Workforce Opportunities in Support of High School Students”

NSF

Solicitation: NSF 25-034

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/dcl-exlent-ate-supplement-opportunity-expanding-ai-career

Posted Date: August 22, 2025

Proposal Due Date: December 15, 2025 by 5:00 pm Local time

Dear Colleagues,

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) invites supplemental funding requests to existing Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) and Advanced Technological Education (ATE) awards in support of the Presidential Initiative on Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth. This Executive Order includes priorities around expanding AI-focused learning opportunities and certifications for high school students. By expanding early access to high-quality AI learning opportunities, this initiative supports national efforts to strengthen the U.S. AI workforce and advance education and innovation pipelines.

This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) invites supplemental funding requests from current ExLENT and ATE awardees to pilot, implement, or expand AI-focused career and skill building learning opportunities for high school students. Supplemental funding requests will support activities led by ExLENT or ATE PIs including curriculum development, dual enrollment, micro-credentials, or hands-on experiential learning. Collaborations between ExLENT and ATE PIs are strongly encouraged.  Proposals must include both community colleges and high schools, and must also involve industry partners to build integrated, career-connected AI education pathways for high school students.

NSF STEM K-12

NSF

Solicitation: 25-545

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/stem-k-12-nsf-stem-k-12/nsf25-545/solicitation

Posted Date: August 22, 2025

Proposal Due Date: Accepted Anytime

The NSF STEM K-12 program encourages multidisciplinary collaborations that bring together expertise and methodological approaches from various fields, including education research, social and behavioral sciences, implementation sciences, computer science, and all STEM disciplines. In addition, the program encourages partnerships that integrate perspectives from education research, education practice, and industry, as well as perspectives of learners and other critical stakeholders who would benefit from the work.

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -3 (NextSTEP-3) Broad Agency

NASA

Solicitation: NextSTEP-3_Omnibus-CIS-Appendix_C

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/bc5048fa480e4552b0d201d9b8c99a3e/view

Posted Date: July 07, 2025

Notice of Intent Due Date: September 3, 2025 by 5:00 pm ET

Proposal Due Date: September 17, 2025 by 5:00 pm ET

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) long-term vision is a resilient space communication and navigation infrastructure that enables science, exploration, and economic development around Earth, Moon, and Mars. NASA is presently pursuing the creation of an interoperable architecture composed of a mixture of existing NASA assets and commercial networks and services. The long-term goal is to establish a commercial space marketplace that supports a multitude of reliable, robust, and cost-effective commercial service providers in which NASA is one of many customers. NASA intends to advance on this goal by collaborating with commercial industry on innovative solutions based on relevant NASA use cases involving cislunar and Mars communication needs.
The Commercialization, Innovation, and Synergies (CIS) Office’s fourth Capability Studies BAA is seeking industry insights in the following two (2) topic areas:
1. Lunar Trunkline Communication Architectures
2. Mars End-to-End Communication Service Architectures

 

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