July 23, 2025

On July 1, 2025, the National Science Foundation announced that it will not accept new proposals for the NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program during the previously scheduled FY 2026 submission window (October 15 – November 14, 2025). Any proposals submitted during this period will be returned without review. NSF currently has many meritorious proposals from the FY 2025 submission window (October 15 – November 15, 2024). Subject to the availability of funds, NSF will instead consider funding additional awards from this cohort in FY 2026. The NSF MRI program anticipates accepting new proposals again during the next submission window, scheduled for October 15 – November 16, 2026.

NSF webinars & office hours:

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be helpful in limited aspects of preparing NIH research applications.  However, it is critical to maintain the fairness and originality of NIH’s research application process. The rapid submission of large numbers of research applications from a single Principal Investigator (PI) may also unfairly strain NIH’s application review processes. 

With this in mind, NIH is issuing a policy to outline guidance for appropriate usage of AI in research applications. To support this goal, NIH is also limiting the number of applications that NIH will consider per PI per calendar year.  

Full policy information can be found here.

Questions may be sent to SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov.  

The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education announces Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) Mission 21 to the International Space Station. This opportunity gives students across your institution the ability to design and propose microgravity experiments to fly in low-Earth orbit on the International Space Station (ISS). Experiments are designed to real world engineering and technology constraints imposed by the flight certified mini-lab that must be used, and the nature of flight operations to and from Low Earth Orbit. One experiment at each institution will be selected to fly to ISS on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Interested schools are directed to inquire about the program as soon as possible, and no later than July 31, 2025.

The full announcement and program overview can be found here.

NASA invites applications for the 6th cohort of the Spaceflight Technology, Applications, and Research (STAR) virtual training focused on the science and technology behind biological experiments in space. STAR is designed to encourage networking and collaborations in spaceflight technologies, applications, and research across all areas interested in space and biological sciences. This course aims to facilitate the entry of researchers into space biology and preparation for spaceflight experiments using NASA and commercial platforms. The STAR course will cover both fundamental and applied aspects of the field of space biology, as well as practical aspects of preparing for, conducting, and analyzing the results of spaceflight experiments. 

The STAR-6 Application uses the Request for Information (RFI) response structure in the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). The full text of the STAR RFI, including application submission instructions, can be found here. Responses must be submitted electronically using the NSPIRES web site. 

Submitting a STAR application does not guarantee course acceptance. NASA does not award funding for course participation nor otherwise pay for the information solicited. Applicants who are accepted will be notified via email on or after July 31, 2025. Declined applicants will also be notified. The course will take place virtually from September 2025 – February 2026 (estimate) with sessions held weekly for two hours each. The STAR course is subject to cancellation at any time, even after notification of acceptance.

The NSF Engineering Directorate proudly supports early-career engineers as they chart the course of their future.  Keep an eye out for upcoming webinars and deadlines.

NSF Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) (NSF 24-590). The NSF ERI program provides up to $200,000 over 24 months to support faculty who are not affiliated with "very high research activity" R1 institutions, including community colleges, who lack significant federal funding. Proposals are due Sept. 16, 2025.

NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (NSF CAREER) (NSF 22-586). NSF CAREER awards provide $500,000 or more over five years to help recipients build a foundation for leadership in integrating education and research. Proposals are due July 23, 2025.

Watch an NSF CAREER webinar.

NSF has announced a $30 million investment in its new Translation to Practice (NSF TTP) program. This initiative offers flexible pathways for researchers to translate cutting-edge discoveries into societal and market impact, with a strong emphasis on cross-sector partnerships and entrepreneurial education.

Register for the August 12, 2025, webinar to learn more

The TTP program builds on lessons from NSF’s Partnerships for Innovation program but expands eligibility and flexibility. TTP supports a broader range of translational goals, beyond commercialization, including startup formation, open-source ecosystems, licensing, and more. This is a key opportunity for researchers to deepen university-industry-government collaboration and accelerate innovation adoption.

Three flexible tracks available:

- Explore (NSF TTP-E): invests in adventurous, “high-risk” use-inspired activities, bridging the gap between fundamental scientific curiosity and a practical desire to address real-world problems. Proposers must have a current NSF award and be interested in transitioning the foundational research to “use-inspired” activities.
- Translate (NSF TTP-T): invests in translating prior research results into technological innovations with promising commercial, economic and/or societal impacts. This track starts with use-inspired research and further matures the ideas, iterates and improves the solutions, ensures scalability and accessibility and lowers the barriers to effective translation.
- Partner (NSF TTP-P): invests in complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-organizational teams pursuing translational development projects. Here, strategic partnerships with stakeholders beyond their universities and research organizations are essential for success and may include industry, government entities at all levels, philanthropies or other groups associated with large-scale productization and distribution.

August 12, 2025, Overland Park Convention Center

Join your friends, colleagues, collaborators and hundreds of life sciences professionals from across the country for this unique, one-day conference. We bring together cutting-edge scientists, inventors, industry leaders, and the next generation of bioscientists to celebrate Midwest life sciences and explore emerging opportunities in a diverse and dynamic meeting.

Sessions Include:
•    Entrepreneurship and Investing
•    Innovation Resources in the Region
•    Cutting Edge Research in Biomaterials
•    Advances in Medical Devices
•    Economic Development and the Bioscience Landscape
•    Al Trends and Health Systems Evolution
•    Breakthroughs in Basic and Translational Science
•    Navigating Research Funding Challenges
•    Dynamic Exhibition Hall
•    Integrated Science Poster and Art Gallery
•    The Brewseum - an Interactive Museum for the Science of Brewing
•    Startup Pitch Competition

More information and registration can be found here.