Our editorial team is keeping abreast of the current status of federally funded opportunities. Such opportunities advertised here, to our knowledge at time of publication, are active. However, please continue to check solicitation websites for updates to U.S. Government opportunities of interest.

What is a Limited Submission?

A limited submission solicitation places a cap on the number of proposals Auburn may submit to a sponsor. Auburn coordinates limited submissions with notifications via this newsletter and competitions created in the Auburn University Competition Space (InfoReady). To apply to any limited submission posted in this newsletter, click on the link within the announcement. Please refer to the Limited Submission Procedures page for a general list of requirements.

Found a Limited Submission opportunity that interests you?

If so, please contact the PSFS office sooner than later so that an internal competition can be created for a timely, university-wide, fair and equitable selection process that allows for ample time for review, feedback and revisions.

DOL: YouthBuild

This program supports disadvantaged youth with pre-apprenticeship training, education, and job placement in skilled trades and high-demand industries. It includes construction training, community housing projects, and wrap-around services like childcare and housing assistance, fostering pathways to registered apprenticeships and quality careers provide pre-apprenticeship occupational skills training, education, and job placement services to disadvantaged and low-income youth. YouthBuild is a pre-apprenticeship program that prepares participants for quality jobs in various industry sectors. YouthBuild programs must offer participants construction training and hands-on experiences building affordable housing for their community. Programs may also include a Construction Plus component, providing vocational training in additional high-demand industries.

*This program requires cost sharing (including matching) funds. These cost sharing funds may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions and equal to 25 percent of the total federal share of costs.

Institutional Limit: One (1) Proposal

Internal Deadline: February 12, 2026, 4:45pm

Funder Deadline: March 2, 2026, 11:59pm ET

NEA: FY27 Research Labs

The NEA Research Labs program funds long-term research agendas that include multiple empirical studies and the dissemination of various products or services for promoting public knowledge about the arts and their contributions to American life. Each Lab must include an interdisciplinary team of researchers. Products or services developed under the award are expected to be of value to arts researchers, arts practitioners, and professionals in sectors such as healthcare, education, and business or management. Funded projects should have national, regional, or field-wide significance.

Projects supported through this program include:

• Arts and Health
• Arts and the Economy
• Arts and Education

**All awards require a nonfederal cost share of at least 1 to 1. These cost share funds may be all cash or a combination of cash and in-kind contributions, and can include federally-negotiated indirect costs.

• Applicants to the FY27 Research Labs funding opportunity may apply to other FY27 NEA funding opportunities (applications submitted in CY2026), including Research Grants in the Arts (see funding opportunities below). Each proposal must be for a distinctly different project. However, an organization may receive up to one FY27 award in either the Research Labs program or the Research Grants in the Arts program.

Institutional Limit: One (1) Proposal

Internal Deadline: February 19, 2026, 4:45pm

Funder Deadline: March 23, 2026, 11:59pm ET

Make Plans to Come With Your Team!



The Spring Team Science Leadership Workshop series will be tailored to established research teams. This series will focus on:

• Recognizing Individual Member Traits and Values 

• Respecting Different Contributions and Work Approaches

• Managing Conflict and Generating Resolutions

• Keeping Teams Focused

Workshop 1
February 13, 2026
Research & Innovation Center
3:00pm - 5:00pm

Registration for Workshop 1 closes today and is required.

Workshop 2 
February 20, 2026
Research & Innovation Center
3:00pm - 5:00pm

Registration for Workshop 2 closes Feb. 16 and is required.

Save the Date for Workshop 3!
April 9, 2026

Research & Innovation Center

3:00pm - 5:00pm


Open to faculty, staff, post-docs and students, this AI@AU/Team Science Series Showcase and Workshop features current applications and investigations of AI in AU research.

• Increase your awareness of how AU researchers are applying and investigating AI
• Explore connection opportunities
• Garner resources and information
• Engage in timely discussions among participants

Posters Sessions

Digital Slide Presentations

Lightning Talks

Round-table Group Discussions

Keynote Speaker

Introducing Aubria: Our AI-generated Keynote Speaker

**Faculty who submitted an abstract and plan to attend should also register here**

Funding Opportunities

Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM

The Clare Boothe Luce Program as dedicated to significantly increasing the number of women in math, science and engineering at every level of higher education and to funding higher education institutions’ efforts to address the obstacles that prevent or discourage women on their campuses from pursuing and thriving in STEM fields.

For 2026, the Clare Boothe Luce Program will focus exclusively on projects that address the barriers faced by women in Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics. 

Initial Applications Due: March 2, 2026

Thrasher Research Fund: Early Career Award Program

The purpose of this program is to encourage the development of researchers in child health by awarding small grants to new researchers who will go on to be independent investigators. Post-doctoral researchers who received the doctoral level degree no more than three years before the Concept Paper deadline are eligible.

The Fund is open to a wide variety of research topics that deal directly with children's health across diverse fields such as pediatrics, nursing, dentistry, child psychiatry, and child development.

Concept Papers Due: March 17, 2026, 12:00noon MT

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) Opportunities

FFAR Fellows Opportunity

Fellows Program prepares a career ready STEM workforce focusing on professional development and soft-skills. Fellows receive grants to pursue research that aligns with FFAR Priority Areas and are paired with industry mentors who provide career guidance.


Applications Due: February 22, 2026, 12:00midnight



Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers in Practice RFA

This program supports applied research that accelerates adoption of enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) products and practices that increase crop nutrient use efficiency, support desired crop yield and reduce nutrient losses. This Request for Applications (RFA) seeks research for field trials to evaluate the agronomic performance and environmental impact of EEFs in targeted geographical regions and cropping systems.

Pre-Applications Due: March 18, 2026, 5:0pm ET

H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program
In coppoeration with the Swine Health Information Center, this fudning program seeks to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response capabilities for H5N1 influenza in the U.S. swine herd.


Applications Due: March 24, 2026, 5:00pm CT

Enhancing the Flavor of Plant-based & Fermentation-derived Proteins RFA
As global demand for protein continues to rise, this funding opportunity seeks to improve the functionality and flavor of plant-based and fermentation-derived proteins that will open new markets for crops, create value-added opportunities for farmers and processors, enhance farmland health and support economic growth.


Applications Due: March 25, 2026, 5:00pm ET



Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR)

To address these outbreaks quickly, the ROAR Program funds rapid research related to response, prevention or mitigation of emerging pests and pathogens. ROAR’s one-to two-year funding fills urgent research gaps until traditional, longer-term funding can be secured.

Concept Papers Due at Anytime


NEA: Research Grants in the Arts

This program supports research studies that investigate the value and/or impact of the arts in American life. Funded projects should have national, regional, or field-wide significance and projects that include collaborations with underrepresented communities and institutions are encouraged. Projects supported through this program include:

• Arts and Health
• Arts and the Economy
• Arts and Education

**All awards require a nonfederal cost share of at least 1 to 1. These cost share funds may be all cash or a combination of cash and inkind contributions, and can include federally-negotiated indirect costs.

An organization may submit multiple applications to this opportunity so long as each proposal is for a distinctly different project. However, an organization may receive up to one FY27 award in either the Research Labs program (See Limited Submission opportunity) or the Research Grants in the Arts program.

Submissions Due: March 23, 2026, 11:59pm ET

Gates Foundation: Innovations for Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Grand Challenge

A development of novel antibiotics targeting Gram-negative bacteria would lead to a reduction in antimicrobial resistance burden impacting global health. This RFP solicits proposals that will drive innovation in early drug discovery for Gram-negative pathogensith with a focus on the discovery of direct-acting small molecule antibiotics with broad-spectrum activity against Enterobacteriaceae, using Klebsiella spp. as the pathogen to initiate a discovery program.

This Grand Challenges RFP will be a first step to build a collaborative portfolio of Gr-ADI projects across multiple sectors, all working towards a common goal and unifying efforts of early antibiotic discovery by fostering cooperation and synergy among researchers.

Proposals Due: March 25, 2026, 11:00am PT

Important Updates

USDA NIFA Programs Transitioning to eRA Commons

USDA NIFA is transitioning new Funding Opportunity Announcements within the following programs to the eRA grants management system in early 2026 (there have been some delays due to the fall government shutdown):

• Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative
• Equipment Grants Program
• Farm Business and Benchmarking Program
• Food and Agriculture Service-Learning Program
• Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grants Program
• Organic Agriculture Research & Extension Initiative
• Renewable Resource Extension Act National Focus Fund Program
• Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program
• Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program

What Does This Mean for You?

If you are planning on applying for one of the above opportunities, you should register for eRA Commons as soon as possible. Please see their announcement for more information on how to create an account with eRA Commons.

Important Note: Only new applications to the above programs are moving to eRA at this time. Prior awards will continue to operate using previous systems and processes. In addition, while other programs are not yet transitioning, if you propose to any USDA NIFA programs, you may want to consider registering as all will be transitioned in the next two years.

Looking Ahead

NIFA is working to include additional programs throughout FY 26 and beyond. Keep an eye out for more updates as they continue to modernize their grants management system. For updates and announcements on NIFA’s Grants Modernization Initiative (GMI) and eRA migration, visit the GMI webpage.  

In Order to Set-up an eRA Commons Account at Auburn

Send the following information to the appropriate College-level designee or OSP Sponsored Programs Officer: 

First Name:

Middle Name (optional):

Last Name:

AU Email:

Preferred Username (please provide 3 options):The User ID length should be between 6 and 30 characters and should NOT contain special characters except the @ sign, the hyphen, the period, and the underscore.

**Note that proposal submission to NIFA will continue to be handled through Endeavor/System-to-System transmission. The eRA Commons access will be primarily for post-award actions. However, the eRA Commons user ID will be a required field at proposal submission.

NASA Grants Webforms/Research Security Update

Effective January 28, 2026, NSSC Grants Activities Branch (GAB) has discontinued all external webform pages due to security concerns.

Impacted webforms:

• Grant/Cooperative Agreement Administrative Supplement Request (includes No-Cost Extensions)
• Grant/Cooperative Agreement Research Performance Progress Report Submission
• NSSC Grant PI Transfer Request

Updated submission process for NASA grantees:

• Performance reports: Submit to NSSC-Grant-Report@mail.nasa.gov
• Final reports: Submit to NSSC -CloseOut@mail.nasa.gov
• Administrative supplemen t requests (No-Cost Extensions, Administrative Changes, Prior Approvals): Submit to mailto:nssc-admin-supplement-request@mail.nasa.gov
• PI Transfer Requests: Submit to nssc-gran ts-pi-transfer@mail.nasa.gov

These updates are effective immediately and replace the discontinued webforms. Following these instructions will ensure timely processing of reports and requests.

NASA Research Security Update

The Office of Procurement (OP) has published Grant Information Circular (GIC) 26-02, Research Security Training Requirements. GIC 26-02 implements research securit y training requirements for covered individuals listed on NASA grant and cooperative agreements proposals in accordance with section 10634 of t he CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

Starting August 2026, covered individuals will be required to attest that they have met the training requirements outlined in the GIC, and entities' Authorized Organizational Representatives will have to attest that covered individuals employed by their entity have satisfied the requirement. The GIC provides further details on who is considered a covered individual and training modules that may be taken to satisfy the requirements.

Hanover Research Webinars

Revamping Your Grantseeking Strategy in a Changing Landscape

Thursday, February 26, 2026

11:00am CT

This webinar offers practical strategies for building successful partnerships with industry, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural differences and aligning goals for mutual benefit. Attendees will learn how to communicate effectively, initiate collaborations, and leverage a wide range of engagement opportunities.​

Register Here.

• 2026 Calendar of Webinars
• Recently posted to the archives: Engaging with Industry Partners

Hanover Research Queue Proposal Review Availability

Slots available February 17 - April 20 and after May 15


Auburn University has partnered with Hanover Research for a number of grant development solutions including Pre-proposal Support; Proposal Development; and Capacity Building. Hanover's full-service grant development solutions are available to set goals, build strategies to achieve key grant-seeking objectives, and develop grant proposals that are well-planned, researched, and written. 

For information regarding Hanover’s core capabilities and project timelines, click here. If you are interested in a slot in the queue, please e-mail Tony Ventimiglia.

Council on Government Relations (COGR) Resource Page


This resource page offers continually updated information concerning Administration Transition in regards to federal funding.

Hanover GLC Modules for NIH, NSF-CAREER & Grant Development


The Hanover Research Grants Learning Center (GLC) on-demand grant development training portal offers faculty enrollees the unique opportunity to receive targeted training through self-paced, interactive modules with step-by-step guidance and templates for prospective applicants to develop compelling proposals. In addition to NIH and NSF-CAREER modules, AU faculty now have access to a variety of new modules on grant seeking, development and revisions.

Auburn faculty interested in signing up for this training should contact Christine Cline for registration information.

Free CITI Training Modules

Auburn subscribes to several training modules via the CITI Program website that may be of interest to researchers and research administrators. Each module is self-paced and can be finished in one or multiple sessions. Click on the link above to read descriptions.



• Essentials of Grant Proposal Development
• Essentials of Research Administration

Auburn Author Awards: Nominations Now Open

The Auburn Author Awards - co-sponsored by Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Auburn University Libraries and the Graduate School - recognize faculty and staff who published a book-length scholarly work during the previous calendar year. Recipients are recognized in an annual spring semester ceremony (April 23).

The Auburn Author Awards program is now accepting nominations through March 1, 2026.

The federal funding landscape is changing daily, necessitating extra due diligence on the part of funding seekers. When perusing a solicitation, 1) make sure you are viewing the latest version, 2) read all notes in the headers and margins, and 3) follow provided links to ensure a solicitation is still active and accepting applications.