An interdisciplinary team of K-State experts has completed its first full year of data collection at the Logan Intergenerational Family Education Center, or LIFE Center, where an elementary school and 36-bed nursing home are connected within the same facility.

K-State's new system for conflict of interest and time reporting, Cayuse Outside Interests, opens Wednesday, Sept. 30. FY2027 annual disclosures are due Oct. 31, 2026. Cayuse OI replaces HRIS, IRB Manager and the foreign financial interest PDF form for these disclosures. You'll also use the same form to request prior approval for consulting.

All faculty and unclassified staff must submit an annual disclosure, even if they have nothing to report. Starting Sept. 30, log in, select Add Disclosure and then Start a New Annual Disclosure. Starting this year, annual disclosures will happen in the fall instead of June.

You'll find guidance and training on the K-State Conflict of Interest website. To schedule a group training or ask a question, contact Morgan Rhinehart.

Reminder: Internal funding deadline is Oct. 1

Applications for the fall 2026 cycle of the Ad Astra Intramural Grants Program and the Humanities, Education, and Arts Research Travel (HEART) Program are due by 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1.

Submit proposals through the Piestar application portal. Sign in with your K-StateUserID@ksu.edu and create a unique password. If you have questions, contact the Office of Research Development at ord@k-state.edu.

Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative

The Department of Defense’s Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) addresses high-risk basic research and attempts to understand or achieve something that has never been done before. The program was initiated over 40 years ago and it has regularly produced significant scientific breakthroughs with far reaching consequences to the fields of science, economic growth, and revolutionary new military technologies.

DSO Office-wide BAA

The Department of Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO), through its Office-wide BAA, is soliciting proposals which investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems for national security applications.  The DSO Office-wide BAA invites proposers to submit innovative basic or applied research concepts or studies and analysis proposals. Proposals in novel areas DSO has not considered are welcome. 

October 8, 2026
10:30-11:30 a.m.
K-State Alumni Center, Seighman Lecture Room, 3rd Floor

The Office of the Vice President for Research will host open Q&A sessions with candidates for the director of research core facility operations. Each candidate will share their background and experience as they relate to the position, followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and learn more about their vision for the role.

The Office of Research Integrity, Compliance and Security is launching a Research Security Partner Program to build awareness, shared understanding and communication around research security across the university. Research Security Partners will serve as knowledgeable points of connection within their colleges and departments, helping colleagues navigate emerging requirements and connect with university resources.

Research administrators and staff who regularly support faculty research are encouraged to participate. Deans, associate deans for research and department heads may submit nominations to Murry Streetman, director of research security, at mtstreetman@k-state.edu.

Join us for an exciting GROW Saturday workshop where we’ll explore creativity, innovation, and bold thinking under this year’s theme: “Think Green, Build Smart: STEM for sustainability”. Whether you're dreaming up new ideas or looking for inspiration to spark your excitement for sustainability, this workshop will offer tools, activities, and connection to help you imagine what’s possible. Come grow with us!

Have an idea for an activity? Want to demonstrate the broader impacts of your research? Excited to get youth involved in your field? Consider hosting an activity at the November 14 workshop.

Fill out the activity proposal form.

For more information about our workshops and how you can get involved, visit our GROW/EXCITE facilitation page.

The GROW Saturday Workshop bolsters 6-8th-grade students' interest in science, technology, engineering and math through a day-long series of hands-on, educational activities. The workshop is open to all middle school students in grades 6-8. It is hosted by the K-State KAWSE Office and facilitated by experts (like YOU!) across campus, including K-State faculty, postdoctoral researchers, staff, and students.

NSF webinars & office hours:

As previously shared in November 2025 and April 2026, NIH implemented emergency modifications to peer review processes following the resumption of activities after the lapse in appropriations. These modifications remain in effect through the January 2027 Advisory Council round. 

What applicants and reviewers can expect:

NIH is considering the lessons learned from these emergency modifications and is also soliciting community input by October 13, 2026, on other proposed changes to the reporting of peer review outcomes.

The record number of applications NIH received for the January 2027 Council round motivated the decision to continue the emergency modified processes.