USC Dornsife
USC Dornsife
USC Dornsife Office of Research Advancement
Descripton at end of newsletter                                                               Week of  January 29, 2024                    

Greetings Dornsife Faculty,
This week our report includes
  -  External funding success for 2 Dornsife investigators;
  -  Many and diverse current funding opportunities, including 3 limited submissions:

  -  Center for Excellence in Research workshop announcement (1st for 2024 Spring);
  -  Inivtation to USC faculty, students and staff to participate in a Keck-sponsored symposium on advancing global health partnerships;
  -  Pro bono publico research opportunities (2) for the U.S. Department of  Treasury. 
 
Best regards,
Renee J. Perez, Vice Dean, Administration & Finance
Cathleen Crayton, Project Specialist


External Funding Successes
Tito Borner, Human And Evolutionary Biology, The role of hindbrain GFRAL neurons in the mediation of nausea, emesis and anorexia, Pfizer, Inc.

Matt Dean, Molecular & Computational Biology, The Genetic Basis of Fertilization Outcomes, University of Pittsburgh



External Funding Opportunities
**Limited Submission***
(Time sensitive — 1 slot)

NSF / Across Multiple Directorates (including BIO, STEM, MPS)
Program: NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL)
Quantum Science and Technology Demonstrations (QSTD): I. Pilot Phase

Solicitation #
: NSF 23-604
Synopsis: Supports NQVL researchers to develop and utilize use-inspired and application-oriented quantum technologies. In the process, NQVL researchers will explore quantum frontiers, foster QISE workforce education and training, engage in outreach activities at all levels, and promote broadening participation, diversity, equity, and inclusion in Quantum Information Science and Engineering, to lower barriers at all entry points of the research enterprise. 
Award details: Pilot phase award is up to $1M for 12 months.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/nsf-23-604/
External announcement on websitehttps://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nsf-national-quantum-virtual-laboratory-nqvl/nsf23-604/solicitation
USC Internal due date: February 9, 2024.
Letter of Intent due date: April 9, 2024.
Full proposal due date: June 11, 2024.
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***Limited Submission***
(Time Sensitive – Institutions may submit only one Concept Paper and one Full Application for each topic area / sub-topic area)
Department of Energy (DoE) / Office of Energy and Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) / Advanced Materials and Manifesting Technologies Office (AMMTO)
Program: Platform Technologies for Transformative Battery Manufacturing
Funding Opportunity #
: DE-FOA-0003236
Synopsis: Supports high impact manufacturing research and development projects, targeting on 2 topic areas, broadly cited here
  -  Platforms for next generation battery manufacturing focusing on manufacturing R&D of innovative materials, processing, and manufacturing capability for emerging battery technologies related to sodium (Na)-ion batteries (NIBs), flow batteries, and Nano layered films for batteries and capacitors; and
  -  Smart Manufacturing Platforms for Battery Production focusing on the smart path toward smart battery manufacturing.
Award details: $1M to $4M
USC Internal Announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/de-foa-0003236/ 
External announcement on website: Transformative Battery Manufacturing
USC Internal due date: February 12, 2024.
Concept Paper due date: March 4, 2024.
Full application due date: May 7, 2024.
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**Limited Submission***
NSF / Directorate for STEM Education Division of Graduate Education
Program: Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE)
Solicitation #
: 24-529
Synopsis: Supports projects for two tracks: Track 1: Career Preparation and Student Success Pilots and Track 2: Systemic Interventions and Policies. Under Track 1, the IGE program will continue to invite proposals to pilot, test, and validate innovative approaches to graduate education with an emphasis on career preparation and student success. Track 2 is new with a primary goal to support research on how various systemic innovations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate education impact graduate student outcomes (such as graduation rates, retention, employment, etc.). Leadership teams (PI/Co-PIs) for both tracks are encouraged to include experts in education research, the learning sciences, and/or evaluation, as appropriate, as well as in the principal science domain(s), as needed, to design and implement a robust and appropriate research plan.
Award details: IGE Track 1 Awards (6 to 10 anticipated in FY 2024) are expected to be up to 3 years in duration with a total budget between $300K and $500K. IGE Track 2 Awards (6 to 12 anticipated in FY 2024) are expected to be up to 5 years in duration with a total budget of up to $1M.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/nsf-24-529/
Announcement on website: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2024/nsf24529/nsf24529.pdf     
USC internal due date: February 23, 2024.
Proposal due dates: April 22, 2024, and March 25, 2025, and thereafter.
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Bogliasco Foundation
Program: Spring 2025 Fellowship
Synopsis
: Supports scholars in archaeology, architecture, classics, dance, film/video, history, landscape architecture, literature, music, philosophy, theater, and visual arts for 1-month residential fellowships in Bogliasco, Italy near the coast of Genoa.
Award details:  Fellows are provided with living quarters, a workspace, and full board for a month at the Study Center. The cost of transportation to and from the Study Center is the responsibility of Fellows or their accompanying spouses/partners. So are all other personal expenses incurred during the Fellowship period, including medical expenses and the purchase of project-related supplies or equipment.
Announcement on website: https://www.bfny.org/
Application due date: March 7th, 2024, with an extended deadline of March 14th. Please note that application fees are $30 for the regular deadline and $45 for the extended deadline.
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Louisville Institute
Program: Doctoral Fellowship
Synopsis
: Supports 1st or 2nd-year Ph.D. doctoral scholars whose focus is the Christian faith and life, the practice of ministry, religious trends and movements, Christian and other faith-based institutions, and religion and social issues. Preference for fellowships is given to doctoral students who demonstrate an interest in theological education as a vocation, who express an understanding of the current challenges and opportunities of theological education, and who articulate connections between their doctoral work and these trends and dynamics. Three times a year (October, February, & May), doctoral and postdoctoral Fellows gather in Louisville, KY, for vocational and professional formation, relationship building, and mutual support as part of the Vocation of the Theological Educator Initiative (VTE). Eligible applicants are U.S. or Canadian citizens or international students with appropriate student visas to study in North America, and come from diverse fields such as history, systematic and practical theology, pastoral studies, social sciences, ethics, or biblical studies, or bring interdisciplinary approaches to their scholarship.
Award details: $3K for up to 2 years. The Institute covers all expenses related to the Vocation of the Theological Educator Initiative.
Announcement on website: https://louisville-institute.org/programs-grants-and-fellowships/fellowships/doctoral-fellowship/
Application due date: March 1, 2024.
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J.M. Kaplan Fund
Program: Furthermore
Synopsis
: Supports the research, writing, editing, indexing, design illustration, photography, and binding of nonfiction books having to do with art, architecture, and design; cultural history, the city, and related public issues; and conservation and preservation, all of which appeals to an informed general audience. A book project to which a university press, nonprofit, or trade publisher is already committed and for which there is a feasible distribution plan are usually preferred. Recipients of Furthermore grants are located throughout the U.S. and occasionally abroad.
Award details: Grants range from $1.5K to a maximum of $15K.
Announcement on website: https://furthermore.org/furthermore-grants/
Application due dates: March 15 and September 1. Applications must be made through Furthermore’s new online grant management program. Applications are deemed ready for submission when the application is complete. A minimum of 3 months before publication is printed is required.
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The Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange
Program: Conferences / Seminar / Workshop
Synopsis
: Supports conferences, seminars, and workshops on specific subjects allied with the Foundation’s goals and objectives related to Chinese studies (with a preference to Taiwan) in the humanities and social sciences.
Award details: May request up to $25K.
Announcement on website: http://www.cckf.org.tw/en/programs/american/conference-seminar
Application due date: Applications should be submitted before September 15th or January 15th for activities taking place in the next 6-month timeframe.
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The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
Program: Interfaith Leadership and Religious Literacy
Synopsis
: Supports organizations that promote religious literacy and create opportunities for courageous multi-faith conversations and collaborations. The overall aim of this initiative is to meet the challenge of nurturing an increasingly religiously pluralistic society while also moderating religious tension. The 3 specific focus areas of this opportunity are
  -  Religious Literacy Through Digital Media
  -  Collaborations between campus and student groups;
  -   Religious Literacy through Religious Publications.
Award details: Typical awards range between $100K to $300K.
Announcement on website: https://www.avdf.org/programs-overview/interfaith-leadership/
Letter of Intent due date: August 29, 2024.
Application due date: November 15, 2024.
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Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA)
Program: General Research Grant
Synopsis: Supports research of Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA), a degenerative neuro-muscular disorder. FARA provides funding through competitive grants in FARA’s priority areas that include (partial)
  -  Advance understanding of neuroscience systems;
  -  Advance understanding of the molecular basis of Friedreich’s Ataxia;
  -  Advance understanding of cardiac disease in Friedreich’s Ataxia.
Award details: $125K per year for 1or 2 years.
Announcement on website: https://www.curefa.org/grant
Letter of Intent due date: LOI due dates bi-annually. Next due date is February 15, 2024.
Application due dates: April 15, 2024; October 15, 2024.
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Program: Hanna H. Grays Fellowship
Synopsis
: Supports early career scientists as they launch careers in academic science, and equips them to recruit, mentor and inspire future generations. Fellows receive funding for their postdoc training and during their early years as independent faculty. In addition to financial support, they benefit from professional development, mentorship, a cohort of peers, and inclusion in HHMI’s broader scientific community. Eligible candidates have received their Ph.D. on or after February 28, 2022, and before January 15, 2025, irrespective of any activity (such as postdoc training) during that time frame.
Award details: Postdoc Training Phase: $80K for the initial year, and a $20K expense allowance that is paid through a non-renewable grant to the training institution. This phase of the award is for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 years. Early Faculty Phase: Fellows will receive $250K in research funding and a $20K expense allowance per year, paid through a non-renewable grant to the institution where they have attained a faculty position. This phase of the award has a maximum length of 4 years.
Announcement on website: https://www.hhmi.org/programs/hanna-h-gray-fellows
Application due date: February 28, 2024.
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Department of Justice / Office of Justice Programs / National Institute of Justice
Program: NIJ FY24 Longitudinal Research on Delinquency and Crime
Grants.gov Opportunity Number
: O-NIJ-2024-171957
Synopsis: Supports research to expand one or more ongoing / existing longitudinal studies that focus on delinquency and crime throughout the life course of the individual, which may include childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. NIJ will give special consideration to proposals with methods that include meaningful engagement with the people closest to the subject of study, including practitioners as well as community members representing crime victims, people under criminal justice supervision, and members of high-crime communities. The research findings are intended to identify malleable risk and protective factors, which can be effectively targeted in efforts to prevent the onset of delinquency and to intervene in the lives of youth and young adults who engage in delinquent and criminal behavior. NIJ is interested in supporting researchers who are early in their careers and new to NIJ’s research grant portfolios, specifically non-tenured assistant professors, or equivalent full-time staff scientist positions in a research institution and who may be offered special consideration as a New Investigator / Early Career applicant.
Award details: $2M program funding anticipated. Individual award amounts and performance periods will be determined by the requirements of the project; however, the maximum project period is 5 years.
Announcement on website: https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/O-NIJ-2024-171957.pdf
Application Grants.gov due date: April 16, 2024.
Application JustGrants due date: April 29, 2024.
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Department of Agriculture / National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Program: Research Facilities Act Program
Synopsis
: Supports institutions with the costs related to constructing, purchasing, updating, renovating, or modifying agricultural research buildings to conduct research in the areas of agriculture and food sciences. The proposed agricultural research facility must expand the institution's capacity for long-term impactful research and must be the result of thorough strategic planning. Awards may be used to fund the construction of buildings or sites for agricultural research facilities or other facilities that store agricultural research experimental samples or specimens, as well as the purchase of real estate or durable equipment. Activities might include, but are not limited to (partial):
  -  Conceptual planning and design for a newly constructed, restored, or rebuilt structure or place
  -  Investing in and putting in permanent equipment for research monitoring and safeguarding samples and specimens
  -  Evaluating infrastructure and sites
Award details: Projects are funded on 3 levels. Level 1: Maximum $150K; Level 2: $500K; Level 3: $750K. Minimum 3rd party non-federal 1:1 match ratio for all grant requests
Announcement on website: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/FY24-RFAP-RFA-P.pdf
Application due date: April 4, 2024.
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NSF / Directorate for Biological Sciences – Divisions of Integrated Organismal Systems and Environmental Biology & the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
Program: Partnership to Advance Conservation Science and Practice (PACSP)
Solicitation #: 24-531
Synopsis: Supports support projects that integrate three components: (1) basic research questions motivated by an urgent biodiversity conservation need, (2) the development and implementation of science-informed conservation actions specifically related to the biodiversity conservation need, and (3) a plan for on-going evaluation or assessment of the success of the conservation action to inform both the science and efficacy of the conservation action. Specifically seeks proposals that involve the implementation of conservation activities based on conservation science principles via academic-conservation organization partnerships. Proposals to the PACSP program may also include plans to leverage technology to fill data and science gaps and can also be aimed at driving positive public policy to advance knowledge and enable lasting change in the realm of biodiversity conservation.  A significant distinction between the PACSP program and other NSF programs is that proposals for this program must make clear and well-defined connections between basic research questions and the implementation of conservation-focused actions.
Award details: The anticipated program budget is $16M to fund an estimated 8-16 projects. Maximum project duration is 5 years.
Announcement on website: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2024/nsf24531/nsf24531.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Proposal due dates: April 24, 2024, and December 15, 2024. 3rd Thursday in December, annually after that.
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NIH / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Program: Understanding Mechanisms and Outcomes of Trained Immunity (R21 — Exploratory / Developmental Research Grant)
NOFO #: PAR-111
Synopsis: Supports research that improves understanding of basic mechanisms and biomarkers of trained immunity (i.e., innate immune memory), plus the functional implications of trained immunity, related to 1) immune system development and function, 2) immunity to vaccines or natural infections, or 3) allergic diseases, autoimmunity, or rejection of organ/tissue/cell transplantation. Areas of high priority include (partial):
  -  Basic studies of trained immunity in immune-mediated diseases;
  -  Elucidation of molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for innate immune memory;
  -  Determination of the duration and/or plasticity of trained immunity effects.
Award details: $275K for direct costs over 2 years. No single budget period can exceed $200K in a single year.
Announcement on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-111.html
Letter of Intent due date: 30 days prior to application submission.
Application due dates: Applications will be received through 2026. The next due date is June 16, 2024.
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NIH / National Institute on Drug Abuse
Program: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Polypharmacology to Discover Pharmacotherapeutics for Substance Use Disorders (R41 / R42 - Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant - Phase I, and Fast-Track
NOFO #: RFA-DA-25-053
Synopsis: Supports Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) for research projects directed towards commercialization to harness artificial intelligence, including machine learning, tools and Polypharmacology to identify pharmacotherapeutics with lower toxicity and higher efficacy to prevent or treat substance use disorders. Projects should aim for the following processes
  -  Identify and validate disease targets. Screen potential compounds to develop preliminary hits. Develop assays to test the activities of candidate compounds in vitro.
  -  Synthesize novel series of compounds; test efficacy and toxicities in vitro. Test pharmacokinetics and toxicity of selected compounds in relevant in vivo models on a non-GLP level.
  -  Conduct non-GLP in vivo toxicity and efficacy of lead compound; pharmacokinetic studies.
Award details: Budgets up to $400K total costs per year for Phase I and up to $3M total costs per year for Phase II may be requested.
Announcement on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-25-053.html
Letter of Intent due date: June 25, 2024.
Application due date: July 25, 2024.
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NIH / National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Program: Mechanistic Studies on Social Behavior in Substance Abuse
NOFO #
: RFA-DA-25-034
Synopsis: Supports mechanistic transdisciplinary basic or translational research in animal models that integrates approaches across social / cognitive neuroscience with perspectives from fields with complementary approaches to the study of social behavior, to develop a testable conceptual or computational model that provides mechanistic insights into social behavior and its relationships with the onset, trajectory and impact of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and comorbidities. NOFO also includes secondary data analysis from research in animal models. Topics of interest include
  -  Neural circuit targets for increasing the expression of, or sensitivity to, social behaviors that may prevent or mitigate compulsive drug-seeking, cue- or stress-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking or other SUD-relevant behaviors;
  -  Social environmental factors that influence the development, function and / or resilience of affiliative or prosocial behavior; or, conversely, biases toward defensive or aggressive behavior;
  -  Neurobiological environmental factors that influence the development, function and /or resilience of affiliative or prosocial behavior; or, conversely, biases toward defensive or aggressive behavior.
Award details: $425K per year for direct costs for a maximum project period of 5 years.
Announcement on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-25-034.html
Application due date: August 14, 2024.
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Announcements of Interest for Dornsife Investigators
Office of Research and Innovation
Center for Exclellence in Research
Upcoming Workshop
Regulatory Science Resources for Clinical Researchers
Attendees will get a general overview of the regulatory resources available from SC CTSI and USC Mann’s DK Kim International Center for Regulatory Science. The presentation will focus on regulatory science training and educational programs that can help advance the work of clinical researchers.
Date:    February 7, 2024                                Time:    12:00 noon to 1:00 PM
Virtual /  Registration: Regulatory Science Resources
Presenter: Karen Manrique, Project Administrator for the Regulatory Knowledge and Support (RKS) core within the Southern California Clinical and Translational Institute (SC CTSI)
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From Keck School of Medicine
Department of Population and Public Health Services &
USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health
The USC community is invited to participate in “USC and Global Health: Advancing Global Health Partnerships and Health Equity Around the World”, a free 3-hour symposium from 1:00-4:00pm to be held on March 7, 2024 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles. Please see invitation letter here: Advancing Global Health Partnerships
From the Social Science Research Council 
Non-Funded Research Opportunities
U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Capital Access / Office of Management and Budget (OMB) / The Evidence Project Portal
Description: The Evidence Project Portal connects external researchers with Federal agencies to strengthen capacity for building evidence and conducting evaluations. The following 2 research projects are to support the U.S. Department of Treasury in advancing the effectiveness of (1) Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), and (2) The State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLRF). While currently no monetary award to researchers is available, the Social Science Research Council — the agency sharing these research opportunities — is exploring opportunities with the Evidence Project Team to fund research. In the meantime the Evidence Project team will hold virtual meetings on February 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. PST (HAF) and February 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (SLFRF)
Program: Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Research
Synopsis: Seeks research that will help inform how the Homeowner Assistance Fund works with state governments that are receiving HAF award funds and whether additional guidance or support is needed to ensure that HAF participants are meeting their goal for helping homeowners most in need to stay in their homes. Depending on the results, US Treasury could use this research as the basis to create additional promising practice documents or other tools that seek to increase the effectiveness of the HAF program. This research will also inform Treasury’s lessons learned from the American Rescue Plan programs as well as the federal government’s long-term policy development for future programs to assist homeowners in future economic crises. For more info see https://www.evaluation.gov/assets/resources/Portal%20-%20Treasury%20-%20HAF.pdf
Program: The State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds  (SLFRF)
Synopsis: This research will help Treasury to more effectively administer the SLFRF program by identifying interventions that are particularly effective and through various media, can communicate with SLFRF recipients to encourage them to adopt certain types of projects and approaches to using their SLFRF award funds. In addition, this research will inform Treasury’s lessons learned from the implementation and administration of the SLFRF program, as well as the federal government’s long-term policy development for future programs to assist governments and households in future economic crises. Benefits to researchers include information on program structure, available data, and program chronology. Treasury could also assist with matchmaking between researchers and particular local and state governments to facilitate the secure exchange of detailed data on individual beneficiaries of SLFRF-funded projects. In addition, Treasury could participate in regular meetings with researchers who are conducting an evaluation to discuss research progress and answer any questions. For more information see https://www.evaluation.gov/assets/resources/Portal%20-%20Treasury%20-%20SLFRF.pdf 
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Book Cover: Defining Waka Musically: Songs of Male Love in Premodern Japan (Palgrave Macmillan; 1st ed. 2023 edition, August 2023) Christopher Sean Hepburn History
University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences | Los Angeles, CA 90089 US
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