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January 2026

Florida's First Quantum University

Florida Atlantic has made history as the first university in Florida to host an on-site quantum computer — positioning itself as a preeminent center for quantum education and innovation.

Through its partnership with D-Wave, Florida Atlantic will pioneer research, student training, and real-world applications in logistics, finance, transportation, and materials discovery — solidifying FAU as a leader in quantum computing. Read more .

Researcher Earns Prestigious Award

Deborah L. Floyd, Ed.D., professor and doctoral coordinator in educational leadership and research methodology, FAU College of Education, was recently named an inaugural fellow of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), one of the highest honors in higher education research.

Floyd has 25 years in scholarship, mentorship and leadership at FAU.

The fellows program marks ASHE's 50th anniversary recognizing select scholars nationwide for integrity, scholarship, mentoring and service.

Swapping Mates
for Survival

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute researchers are the first to uncover how wild beluga whales use strategic mating behavior to survive and maintain healthy genetics.

“What makes this study so thrilling is that it upends our long-standing assumptions about this Arctic species," said Greg O'Corry-Crowe, Ph.D., professor. "Rather than competing intensely in a single season, males appear to play the long game, spreading their reproductive efforts over many years. It appears to be a ‘take your time, there’s plenty of fish in the sea’ strategy.” Read more .

See Under the Sea

Chelsea Bennice, Ph.D., was on a night dive more than a decade ago when she spotted an octopus with arms stretched out like a parachute. That moment marked the start of her studying, filming and photographing one of the ocean’s most intelligent and adaptable creatures.

Bennice, a postdoctoral fellow at FAU’s Marine Laboratory, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, is also winner of FAU's annual Art of Science photography contest.

Read more about Bennice and join her at the opening night for the Art of Science gallery to see all of this year's winning images. Learn more .

New NIH and NSF Updates

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) recently announced agency process updates. Here's a look at updates impacting proposal submission and review.

NIH introduced a simplified three-factor peer review framework for grant applications due on or after Jan. 25, 2025.

1. Importance of research (scored 1-9)

2. Rigor and feasibility (scored 1-9)

3. Expertise and resources (binary rating for overall impact consideration)

For details, visit Simplified Review Framework.

Also, through the May 2026 Advisory Council cycle, NIH has made modifications in peer-review practices. Peer reviewers will triage applications, discussing only those in the top third. Summary statements will be simplified and will not include a narrative of committee discussion. However, all applications will receive written critiques from the three assigned reviewers, as currently practiced.

For details, visit Notice No. NOT-OD-26-012.

NSF has issued Supplement 1 to PAPPG 24-1 to streamline uniform guidance. Researchers are urged to review the 16 policy revisions in the NSF Policy Notice. Specifically, revision 5 clarifies how public access requirements under NSF’s Gold Standard Science (GSS) plan affect a proposal’s Data Management and Sharing Plan. Revisions 7 and 8 address proposal review, but intellectual merit review criteria remain unchanged within the GSS framework.

NSF also recently announced Organizational Realignment within the agency. For more information, visit NSF Organizational Chart.

Funding Opportunities

Find upcoming funding opportunities here.
For more information on limited submission guidelines and GrantForward, click here.

Sign to Speech Technology

Florida Atlantic University engineers are breaking communication barriers with AI. Researchers at FAU have developed a real-time American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation system that uses AI, hand tracking and deep learning to translate ASL gestures into text with 98% accuracy - all using a regular webcam.

This breakthrough could expand access and inclusivity for millions in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community by enabling smoother communication across classrooms, workplaces, healthcare and daily life.

To learn more, watch Science in Seconds.

Happy Birthday, America

Florida Atlantic is hosting the Festival for America’s 250th, a celebration and exploration of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Festival events include guest speakers bringing the American Revolution to life from fresh and unexpected angles. Events run from February through May.

View event details here.