External Funding Opportunities
***Limited Submission***
National Endowment for the Humanities – Division of Research Programs
Program: Humanities Research Centers on Artificial Intelligence
Synopsis: Supports the creation of new humanities research centers on artificial intelligence at eligible institutions. Centers must focus their scholarly activities on exploring the ethical, legal, or societal implications of AI. A Center supports collaboration among scholars to explore a specific topic through research, as well as spreading knowledge about that research through educational or outreach activities. Centers may include scholars from diverse disciplines, but must be focused on asking humanities questions and should be led by humanists. Scholars may come from one or more institutions. NEH welcomes international collaboration, but scholars at U.S. institutions must contribute significantly to the project. Expected outputs are curriculum project; digital infrastructure, i.e. software, website; digital collection, publication, conference, workshop, other research resources.
Award details: Up to $750K ($500K in outright funds; $250K in federal matching funds)
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/neh-ai/
Announcement on website: https://www.neh.gov/program/humanities-research-centers-artificial-intelligence
USC Internal due date: September 27, 2024.
Optional draft due: October 4, 2024.
Application due date: December 11, 2024.
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***Limited Submission***
Brain Research Foundation
Program: 2025 Seed Grants
Synopsis: Supports Assistant or Associate Professor for new and innovative projects. BRF Seed Grant awards are not intended to supplement existing grants. Funding is to be directed at pilot research projects that are both innovative and will likely lead to successful grant applications to NIH and other public and private funding entities. For Assistant Professors, this means a new research project that will generate pilot data that will lead to RO1 funding or a comparable outside grant will be first priority. Associate Professors seek projects that pursue new directions, with an explanation how the projects is a new direction.
Award details: $80K for direct costs for a two-year period.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/brf-seed-grants/
External announcement on website: https://www.thebrf.org/seed-grants/
USC Internal due date: October 4, 2024.
Letter of Intent due date: November 19, 2024.
External due date: March 27, 2025.
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***Limited Submission***
The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation
Program: Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards
Synopsis: Supports the research and teaching careers of talented early career faculty in the chemical sciences. The Award, which requires an institutional nomination, is based on an independent body of scholarship attained in the early years of their appointment and a demonstrated commitment to education, signaling the promise of continuing outstanding contributions to both research and teaching. Recommendations for awards are based upon compelling evidence that the nominee’s independent scholarly research has led to important advances in the chemical sciences, and will continue to do so.
Award details: $100K
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/camille-dreyfus/
External annoucment on website: https://www.dreyfus.org/camille-dreyfus-teacher-scholar/
USC Internal due date: October 11, 2024.
External due date: January 30, 2024.
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***Limited Submission***
NIH / Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Program: State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives to Accelerate Implementation of Actionable Knowledge
NOFO #: RFA-HS-24-004
Synopsis: Supports the creation of State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives to conduct an initiative based on patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) evidence to improve care for medically underserved people; the initiative’s focus must be on behavioral healthcare. To support this initiative, the Cooperative will (1) engage key stakeholders, including Medicaid agencies, managed care organizations, and other organizations that address the health needs of medically underserved people, in identifying and addressing barriers and facilitators to implementing patient-centered healthcare delivery improvements based on PCOR evidence, (2) work with healthcare policy, payment, community, care delivery, and research organizations that serve medically underserved populations to build their capacity to implement patient-centered healthcare delivery improvements based on PCOR evidence and to support ongoing learning, (3) conduct evaluations of the impacts and refinements of the processes of the Cooperative’s activities, and (4) provide the support structure to ensure these activities are integrated and aligned.
Award details: Maximum total cost (direct and indirect costs) per year is $6.25M and no more than $25M for the entire project.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/rfa-hs-24-004/
External announcement on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HS-24-004.html
USC Internal due date: October 11, 2024.
Letter of Intent (optional): 30 days prior to submission of application
External due date: December 12, 2024.
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Stanford Humanities Center
Program: 2025-2026 Fellowships for External Faculty
Synopsis: Supports faculty across the spectrum of academic ranks — assistant, associate and full professors — to create a diverse community of scholars in traditional and emerging disciplines of the humanities and interpretive social sciences. Eligible applicants must be 3 years beyond, and no more than 10 years in receipt of their Ph.D. There are no citizenship requirements. Former fellows of this award are not eligible.
Award details: Stipends up to $70K, plus $40K housing and moving expenses. Fellowship is for 1 full academic year.
Announcement on website: https://shc.stanford.edu/stanford-humanities-center/fellowships/fellowships-external-faculty
Application due date: October 1, 2024.
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UCLA / Center for Medieval and Renaissance Center (CMRS) Center for Early Global Studies
Program: Ahmanson Research for the Study of Medieval and Renaissance Books and Manuscripts
Synopsis: Supports postdoctoral scholars and graduate students for use of any of the UCLA Library Special Collections’ extensive holdings in medieval and Renaissance manuscripts and printed books. Some of these holdings include the Ahmanson-Murphy Aldine and Early Italian Printing Collections; the Elmer Belt Library of Vinciana; the Orsini Family Papers; the Bourbon del Monte de San Faustino Family Papers; the Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts Collection; the Richard and Mary Rouse Collection of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts and Early Printed Books; and the Medieval and Renaissance Arabic and Persian Medical Manuscripts. United States citizens and permanent residents with the legal right to work in the U.S. who are engaged in graduate-level, post-doctoral, academic, or independent research are invited to apply. Faculty and postdocs must obtain approval as Visiting Scholars or Researchers to accept the award. CMRS-CEGS staff will assist you with these processes. Graduate students must obtain Visiting Graduate Researcher status and pay the associated fees.
Award details: $3K a month for up to 3 months.
Announcement on website: https://cmrs.ucla.edu/awards-fellowships/ahmanson/
Application due date: Rolling.
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National Academy of Education (NAE) / Spencer Foundation
Program: The NAEd / Spencer Dissertation Fellowship
Synopsis: Supports 35 exceptional scholars from a wide range of disciplines and professional fields to undertake research relevant to the improvement of education. This fellowship supports candidates whose dissertation projects bring innovative and insightful approaches to the history, theory, analysis, or application of formal and informal education. While education is the focus, candidates from anthropology, architecture, art history, communications, economics, education, history, linguistics, literature, philosophy, political science, psychology, public health, religion, and sociology are encouraged to apply. The fellowship supports fellows with the writing phase of their dissertation and alleviates the need for significant employment. Eligible candidates have completed all pre-dissertation requirements by June 1, 2025.
Award details: $27.5K for one academic year. Award period is 1 to 2 years.
Announcement on website: https://naeducation.org/naed-spencer-dissertation-fellowship/
Application due date: October 3, 2024. Award begins June 1, 2025.
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University of Pittsburgh
Program: Dickson Prize in Medicine
Synopsis: Supports and honors an American biomedical researcher who has made significant, progressive contributions to medicine. The Dickson Prize is for investigators who are at especially productive points in their careers and whose research is, or will be, so influential that it deserves major recognition. Eligible nominees are U.S. citizens.
Award details: $50K honorarium, and travel expenses to Pittsburgh to accept the award and present the keynote lecture. During the prizewinner’s visit to Pittsburgh, he or she also participates in scientific activities and meets informally with students, postdoctoral fellows, and other investigators.
Announcement on website: https://www.dicksonprize.pitt.edu/nomination/
Nominations due date: October 18, 2024.
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Autism Science Foundation
Program: Pilot Studies of Profound Autism and / or Severe, Intense and Dangerous Behaviors
Synopsis: Supports research to identify the specific and unique needs of individuals with profound autism. This Request for Applications (RFA) also includes research on severe and challenging behaviors including self-injury, aggression, PICA, wandering and irritability, which are prevalent in those with profound autism. For the purposes of this RFA, profound autism is defined as minimally or non-verbal, and / or IQ less than 50, and requiring the need for 24 / 7 care to ensure safety. Individuals with Profound Autism may or may not exhibit severe and dangerous behaviors. Specifically, the RFA seeks
- pilot studies to identify or characterize the underlying biological mechanisms of profound autism (including model systems);
- examination of the preliminary efficacy of a behavioral or pharmacological treatment for core or co-morbid symptoms of profound autism or severe, intense and dangerous behaviors;
- projects which address challenges in recruitment, retention or data collection in individuals with profound autism.
Eligible candidates for this award must be either enrolled in a pre-doctoral training program, have obtained their Ph.D. and currently hold a position at a university or institution. U.S. citizens may be enrolled in universities inside or outside of the United States. Non-U.S. citizens may be enrolled in universities inside or outside of the U.S .Post-doctoral fellows may receive stipend support for a percentage of their effort spent on the project.
Award details: $35K for one year. This year, the award may also be used to support a one-year, mentor-based pre-doctoral fellowship focused on the topics described above.
Announcement on website: https://autismsciencefoundation.org/
Application due date: October 18, 2024.
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American Association for Cancer Research
Program: Lustgarten Foundation- AACR Career Development Award for Pancreatic Cancer Research, in Honor of John Robert Lewis
Synopsis: Supports the development and diversity of talent working in pancreatic cancer research for early career investigators. Researchers of racial and ethnic groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in the cancer-related sciences workforce, and who have outstanding accomplishments in scientific research, are invited to compete for this award. The proposed project may be basic, clinical, translational or population sciences, with relevance to the understanding, detection, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Award details: $300K over three years for expenses related to research including salary and benefits of the awardee, as well as other personnel involved in the project, i.e. postdoc, graduate student etc., lab expenses, publication fees etc.
Announcement on website: https://www.aacr.org/grants/lustgarten-foundation-aacr-career-development-award-for-pancreatic-cancer-research-in-honor-of-john-robert-lewis/
Letter of Intent due date: October 10, 2024.
Application due date: January 9, 2025. Award start date: July 1, 2025
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National Endowment for the Humanities
Program: Digital Humanities Advancement Grants (DHAG)
Synopsis: Supports work that is innovative, experimental, and contributes to the critical infrastructure that underpins scholarly research, teaching, and public programming in the humanities. NEH partners with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on this program. IMLS encourages DHAG applicants to work in collaboration, and employ the expertise of library and archives staff at applicant’s institution or across the country to strengthen knowledge networks, empower community learning, foster civic cohesion, advance research, and support the traditionally underserved. DHAG is one of many grant programs at the NEH that funds digital humanities projects, and prospective applicants are invited to contact the Office of Digital Humanities to seek feedback on their project.
Award details: Maximum awards at Level I: $75K; Level II: $50K; and Level III: $350K, with $100K matching funds. Project period is up to 4 years.
Announcement on website: https://www.neh.gov/grants/odh/digital-humanities-advancement-grants
Optional draft due date: November 13, 2024.
Application due date: January 9, 2025. Project start date September 1, 2025 – November 1, 2025.
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Department of Commerce / Economic Development Administration
Program: 2024 Build To Scale
Funding Opportunity #: EDA-B2S-2024
Synopsis: Supports organizations that support technology- and innovation-centric, high-growth companies (including but not limited to startups) as they develop, demonstrate, and deploy the next generation of critical and emerging technologies. Awards made under Build to Scale may only fund operational and programmatic costs related to developing and supporting regional innovation initiatives. Award funds may not be passed or transferred directly to beneficiaries (i.e., participant startup companies and individuals) served by the program being funded by award funds. The Build to Scale program aims to:
- build public and private capacity for entrepreneurs and innovators to invent, improve, and bring to market new products and services in critical, emerging, and transformative sectors and industries3;
- accelerate the growth of regional economies that are focused on industries of the future;
- empower communities to provide proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance to technology innovators and entrepreneurs; and
- equitably and inclusively increase access to capital for technology-enabled entrepreneurs.
Award details: 40-50, with expected award amounts spanning low hundreds of thousands of dollars to the maximum of $5 million. Project period is 24-60 months. Applicants must provide matching share equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost, i.e., applicants must match each dollar requested with at least one dollar of applicant match.
Announcement on website: https://www.eda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/FY24_B2S_NOFO_FINAL.pdf
Application due date: October 28, 2024.
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Department of Energy (DoE) / Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Program: FY24 Scale-Up of Integrated Biorefineries
Funding Opportunity #: DE-FOA-0003371
Synopsis: Supports high-impact technology RD&D to accelerate the bioeconomy via the production of low-carbon fuels for the aviation, marine, rail, and heavy-duty industries, and renewable chemical production with dramatically reduced lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to the petroleum incumbent. There is a scheduled informational webinar on October 2nd The 3 topic areas can be summarized
- Topic Area 1: Pilot Scale-up of integrated Biorefineries- Phase 1 Preliminary Design and Phased Construction.
- Topic Area 2: Demonstration Scale-up of integrated Biorefineries – Phase 1 Preliminary Design and Phased Construction
- Topic Area 3: Scale-up of Organic Chemical Pathways – Phase 1 Preliminary Design and Phased Construction.
Award details: Each topic area federal share is $2-$3M, each for a project period of up to 24 months.
Announcement on website: FY24 Scale-Up of Integrated Biorefineries
Concept Paper due date (required): November 7, 2024.
Full application due date: January 16, 2025.
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Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-H)
Program: Performance and Reliability Evaluation for Continuous modIfications and uSEability of AI (PRECISE-AI)
Solicitation #: ARPA-H-SOL-25-113
Synopsis: Supports research projects that aim to create a suite of self-correction techniques that make it possible to automatically maintain peak model performance of predictive AI components across diverse clinical settings. PRECISE-AI will advance novel approaches to optimally support clinician decision-making and scalably manage the performance of AI Decision Support Tools (AI-DSTs) after their commercial deployment. Key areas of innovation include continuous monitoring capabilities, degradation detection, root cause analysis, self-correction, and bidirectional communication with clinicians. This program will establish an open-source repository of tools to autonomously maintain the performance of clinical AI-DSTs while enhancing the interpretability and actionability of AI model outputs.
The program will test these innovations in real-world settings to demonstrate measurable improvements in clinical decision-making. This program addresses the pressing need for continuous monitoring and updating of clinical AI models to ensure they remain effective and trustworthy over time.
Award details: Proposals must include a cost point that is commensurate with the scale and complexity of the proposed technical and management approach. Proposers should ensure that budgets align to the needs of the work being proposed.
Announcement on website: Performance and Reliability Evaluation for Continuous Modifications and Usability
Proposer Due date: TBD
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NSF / Directorate for Engineering and NIH / National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Program: Biomedical Research Initiative for Next-Gen BioTechnologies – SynBio Control (BRING SynBio)
Solicitation #: NSF-24-603
Synopsis: Support fundamental and interdisciplinary proof of principle approaches in synthetic and engineering biology that spur the development of novel, early-stage biomedical technologies, focusing on the use of biological control theory in the design and characterization of new synthetic biological tools and parts and their downstream application to technology development in the biomedical field. For this program, biological control theory is defined as control strategies that are analogous to those exhibited in natural systems and include, but are not limited to, nested loops, multiple induction and inhibition interactions, feedback control, sensing and signaling functions, and switching between alternate pathways. Proposals must address research on fundamental aspects of synthetic and engineering biology and their potential to lead to early-stage biomedical technology development projects eligible for support through the NIH / NIBIB. Projects are expected to include a two-year plan (Phase I) of fundamental, proof of principle research involving novel, biological control-guided aspects of synthetic gene circuit design. Predicated upon the proof of principle established during Phase I, Phase II is a two-year plan describing exploratory research and focused on further development and validation of Phase I emerging technologies that offer novel capabilities for biomedical technology development.
Award details: Phase I: NSF will provide $150K in total cost per award per year for the 2 year project period. Phase II: NIH will offer upto $275K in direct cost per award over 2 years.
Announcement on website: https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/nsf24603.pdf
Full proposal due date: December 4, 2024.
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NSF / Across Dornsife-Relevant Directorates
Program: Ethical and Responsible Research
Solicitation #: 24-604
Synopsis: Supports projects that focus on what constitutes or promotes responsible and ethical research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The ER2 program promotes the development, improvement, and dissemination of responsible and ethical research practices and aims to build on organizational cultures that value and reward such practices. Proposers to the ER2 program may examine responsible and ethical research practices across one or more career stages, including the research practices of students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, or practitioners. A comprehensive approach to responsible and ethical research not only influences individual behavior, but it also contributes to an inclusive, equitable, and respectful research culture. Proposers could examine organizational or other factors that positively influence responsible and ethical research practices in STEM fields. Proposals that include international collaborations are encouraged if the unique resources, expertise, facilities, or locations of international partners enhance the merit of the proposed work.
Award details: Total maximum of $400K for 3 years for standard research projects. Program will also consider conference proposals for $50K for one year; incubation projects for $100K for one year; and partnership for transformation projects for $700K for 4 years.
Announcement on website: https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/nsf24604.pdf
Proposal due date: January 23, 2025.
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NSF / Directorate for STEM Education - Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings
Program: Discovery Research PreK-12 Program Resource Center on Transformative Education Research and Translation (DRK-12 RC)
Solicitation #: 24-602
Synopsis: Supports a Resource Center on Transformative Education Research and Translation for the DRK-12 Program. The DRK-12 RC is also expected to work collaboratively with NSF and the DRK-12 Program's primary communities — including formal preK-12 STEM educators, school leaders and STEM education researchers — to design, implement, and evaluate its activities in these three areas. The DRK-12 Program's goal is to catalyze research and development that enhances all preK-12 teachers' and students' opportunities to engage in high-quality STEM learning experiences. The DRK-12 Program's objectives are to: (1) build knowledge about how to develop preK-12 students' and teachers' STEM content knowledge, practices, and skills; (2) support collaborative partnerships among STEM education researchers, STEM education practitioners, and school leaders with the goals of developing more effective practice while also extending relevant research literatures; and (3) build the field of STEM education by supporting knowledge syntheses, interdisciplinary interactions across fields and stakeholders, and the development of novel and robust ways of assessing teacher and student learning, engagement, and skills. It is expected that the DRK-12 Resource Center (DRK-12 RC) on Transformative Education Research and Translation will be an intellectual partner to the program in the three primary areas listed above. Outcomes of DRK-12 projects can include but are not limited to promising, evidence-based products that can be used by others to support the success of all teachers and all students (e.g., curriculum, teaching and research tools, and models of collaboration).
Award details: NSF will make one award for $5M over 5 years.
Announcement on website: https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/nsf24602.pdf
Full Proposal due date: February 28, 2025.
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NIH / National Cancer Institute
Program: Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01, R21)
NOFO #’s: PAR-24-277; PAR-24-291
Synopsis: Supports innovative studies designed to investigate biological/genetic bases of cancer disparities, such as (1) mechanistic studies of biological factors associated with cancer disparities, including those related to basic research in cancer biology or cancer prevention strategies, (2) the development and testing of new methodologies and models, and (3) secondary data analyses. This NOFO is also designed to aid and facilitate the growth of a nationwide cohort of scientists with a high level of basic research expertise in cancer health disparities research who can expand available resources and tools, such as biospecimens, patient-derived models, and methods that are necessary to conduct basic research in cancer health disparities. A few examples of research interest include (partial)
- Understanding if race/ethnicity has a role in regression of precancerous lesions
- how social health disparities may cause adverse gene expression that confers increased cancer risk and/or aggressiveness
- Identifying cancer risk and early detection biomarkers among underrepresented populations
Award details: R01: Application budgets are not restricted but must reflect the needs of a project period of up to 5 years. R21: The combined budget for direct costs for the two year project period may not exceed $275K. No more than $200K may be requested in any single year.
Announcements on the website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-277.html; https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-291.html
Application due date: R01: October 5, 2024 for new applications; November 5, 2024 for resubmissions, renewals and revised applications. R21: October 16 for new applications; November 16, 2024 for resubmissions, renewals and revised applications.
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NIH / National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Program: NIA Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Awards to Promote Diversity in Translational Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (AD / ADRD) — K99-R00 – Career Transition / Research Transition Award
Synopsis: Supports early career, highly trained translational researchers from diverse backgrounds as they transition to research independence in the field of AD /A DRD, including frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia. The long-term goal of this program is to expand the pool of translational researchers who can effectively participate in and/or lead a team-science, interdisciplinary approach to studies of AD / ADRD treatment, prevention, early detection, and disease management and care. Examples of research areas of interest include (partial)
- Conducting cross-national dementia research using harmonized data on cognitive function to identify potential modifiable causal drivers of dementia risk and resilience
- Apply various aspects of data science (e.g., genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, computational biology, bioinformatics, mathematics, engineering, and biostatistics) to AD / ADRD and neurodegenerative research
- Translating principles and research findings from behavioral and social research into the development of individual, population, and system-level interventions aimed at reducing dementia risk, preventing cognitive decline and dementia, and improving the health and well-being of persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
Award details: Postdoctoral Phase K99 — NIH will contribute up to $75K per year plus fringe benefits toward the salary of the career award recipient as well as $25K per year toward research development costs. Independent Phase R00 — The total cost for the independent phase may not exceed $249K per year. This amount includes salary, fringe benefits, research costs, and applicable indirect costs. Indirect costs will be reimbursed at the extramural sponsoring institution's indirect cost rate. Indirect costs requested by consortium participants are included in the total cost limitation.
Announcement on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-271.html
Application due dates: Multiple due dates for all new, renewal, resubmissions and revised applications through 2027. Next due date for NEW applications is February 12, 2025. Next due date for ALL other applications except AIDS applications: March 12, 2025.
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Dornsife Corporate and Foundations
(If interested please contact Kerri Bennett at <kerriben@usc.edu>
D-BASF
Program: Recovery of small organic acids from fermentation broths
Synopsis: Supports development of new technologies that enable isolation of small organic acids (C2-C6) from dilute aqueous fermentation broths. The solution should achieve high yields, while being more energy- and waste-efficient compared to neutralizing acids adding a base into the fermentation medium, converting the acids into their corresponding salts or, alternatively, in-situ extraction of the organic acids using an organic solvent such as ethyl acetate. Solutions of interest include (partial)
- Crystallization technology
- Electrodialysis
- Advanced membrane filtration
Award details: Funding is dependent on the proposal's extent, but an accepted proof of concept proposal could expect support in the range of $25,000 - $100,000 (milestone dependent) to establish feasibility with the potential for follow-on funding.
Announcement on website: Recovery of small organic acids from fermentation broths
Proposal due date: October 31, 2024.
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