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.

NIH: NIGMS Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program (T34)

The goal of the Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) Program is to strengthen research training environments and develop a pool of well-trained students who

• Complete their baccalaureate degrees in biomedically-related fields, and
• Transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (such as Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.). 

To promote undergraduate research training opportunities across a range of eligible organizations, the program will accept applications in two tracks:

• Single Site Track: To support trainees from a single baccalaureate-degree granting organization.
• Community College Partnerships: To support community college trainee development through strong collaborations between at least one associate-degree granting organization (that is, a community college) and at least one baccalaureate-degree granting organization.

Awards are intended to provide research training opportunities to students from the breadth of biomedical disciplines at the organization. Narrowly focused programs will be a low priority for funding (such as those focused on a single biomedical discipline or approach at an organization with multiple relevant departments). Awards should prepare trainees to pursue advanced research training to address important biomedical problems in a range of fields from basic science to addressing the burden of chronic disease.

Institutional Limit: One (1) Application
Internal Deadline: January 23, 2026, 4:45pm
Funder Deadline: February 25, 2026, 5:00pm

NSF: Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (S-STEM) - Track 2 Implementation Projects Only

This program provides awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to fund scholarships for academically talented, low-income students to pursue successful careers in promising STEM fields. Funds should also be used to adapt, implement, and study evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities that have been shown to be effective in supporting recruitment, retention, transfer (if appropriate), student success, academic/career pathways, and graduation in STEM. Ultimately, the S-STEM program seeks to increase the number of academically promising low-income students who graduate with an S-STEM eligible degree and contribute to the American innovation economy with their STEM knowledge.

The program has three tracks, but AU is ineligible to apply to Track 1 (Institutional Capacity Building) and Track 3 (Inter-institutional Consortia) due to an existing S-STEM award. Track 2 proposals may not include any of the departments/majors being supported by the current award: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematical Sciences, Computer Sciences, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Engineering. Additional degrees and disciplines are excluded from applying. Please see the solicitation for the list.

*Please note, per the program solicitation: "Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: An institution may submit up to two proposals (either as a single institution or a member of an inter-institutional consortia project (lead or co-lead) for a given S-STEM deadline. Multiple proposals from an institution must not overlap with regard to S-STEM eligible disciplines."


Institutional Limit: Two (2) Proposals
Internal Deadline: January 23, 2026, 4:45pm
Funder Deadline: March 3, 2026, 5:00pm

Faculty are invited to attend and participate in this Team Science Series Showcase and Workshop featuring current applications and investigations of AI in AU research. This event will


• increase awareness of how AU researchers are applying and investigating AI
• provide opportunities for learning and connection
• offer information on resources helpful for research teams
• engage discussions among participants on timely topics

Faculty Showcase Abstract Submission Portal Opens January 12.

Look for the submission email in your inbox next week!


Required Event Registration Opens February 2.

Funding Opportunities

NSF: Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure (CICI)

The objective of the Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure (CICI) program is to advance scientific discovery and innovation by enhancing the security and privacy of cyberinfrastructure. CICI supports efforts to develop, deploy and integrate cybersecurity that will benefit the broader scientific community by securing science data, computation, collaborations workflows, and infrastructure.

CICI seeks proposals in four program areas:

• Usable and Collaborative Security for Science
• Reference Scientific Security Datasets
• Transition to Cyberinfrastructure Resilience
• Integrity, Provenance, and Authenticity for Artificial Intelligence Ready Data

Proposals Due: January 21, 2026, 5:00pm

NIH: Laboratories to Optimize Digital Health (R01 Clinical Trial Required)

NIMH seeks applications for innovative research projects to test strategies to increase the reach, efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of digital mental health interventions which may impact mental health outcomes, including suicide behaviors and serious mental illness. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is intended to support the development of digital health test beds that leverage well-established digital health platforms and infrastructure to rapidly refine and optimize existing evidence-based digital health interventions and to conduct clinical research testing digital mental health interventions that are statistically powered to provide a definitive answer regarding the intervention's effectiveness particularly in populations who experience health disparities and vulnerable populations.

Applications Due: February 5, 2026 and June 5, 2026, 5:00pm CT

Terra Foundation for American Art: Convening Grants

The Foundation’s Convening Grants program aim to support programs that stimulate interdisciplinary and intercultural exchange through conferences, workshops, and gatherings worldwide. The foundation encourages convenings that seek to generate knowledge and nurture relationships across local and global networks, in service of broader efforts to engage in intercultural dialogues and transform practices in the field of American art.

LOIs Due: February 16, 2026

Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Funding Opportunities

Annual Request for Proposals: Addressing Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction 
HABRI seeks to investigate the health outcomes of pet ownership and/or animal-assisted interventions (AAI), both for the people and the animals involved. Proposals should have a strong theoretical framework and focus on innovative approaches to studying the positive effects of companion animals on human health. HABRI is interested in funding a wide range of studies focused on the human-animal bond.

2026 Special Request for Proposals - Pet Inclusive Rental Housing
The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is issuing a special call for research proposals seeking rigorously designed, impact-driven research focused on addressing the complex issue of pet-inclusive rental housing.

Additional Funding through Pet Partners

Pet Partners, the leading therapy animal organization in the United States, is partnering with HABRI with the mission of improving human health and well-being through the power of the human-animal bond. This partnership allows for additional funding for research to investigate the health, education, and wellness outcomes of animal-assisted interventions (AAI), both for the people and animals involved. 

All Proposals Due: February 26, 2026, 11:59 pm ET

NSF: Mid-Career Advancement (MCA)

The MCA program offers an opportunity for scientists and engineers at the mid-career stage to substantively enhance and advance their research program and career trajectory. Mid-career scientists are at a critical career transition stage where they need to advance their research programs to ensure long-term productivity and creativity but are often constrained by service, teaching, or other activities that limit the amount of time devoted to research.


A key component of a successful MCA will be the demonstration that the PI's current research program could substantively benefit from the protected time, mentored partnership(s), and resources provided through this program, such that there is a substantial enhancement to the PI's research and career trajectory, enabling scientific and academic advancement not likely without this support.

PIs must be a) at the Associate Professor rank (or equivalent; see Additional Eligibility Information) and b) at that rank for at least 3 years by the proposal submission date. PIs must have current or proposed research that falls within the purview of a participating disciplinary program.

Proposals Due: March 1, 2026, 5:00pm CT

Important Updates

Hanover Research Webinars

Engaging with Industry Partners

Thursday, January 29, 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: Deciphering Feedback from Grant Reviewers 

Save the Date!
11th Annual CCTS Bioethics Forum 
Beyond the Science: Co-Creating Fundable Research with Communities for Lasting Impact

February 26, 2026
 Elevation Convening Center & Hotel
Montgomery

Register Here to Receive Registration Information.

NIH Updates: Implementation of Common Forms; Research Security Training and LOIs 



**After several delays, NIH plans to implement use of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for due dates on or after January 25, 2026 per NOT-OD-26-018.

**Per NOT-OD-26-017, Research Security Training Requirements for NIH stipulate that each covered individual (for NIH this is defined as senior/key personnel) listed on an NIH grant application must certify RST training within 12 months of the date of application submission.

The Act also requires applicant institutions to certify that each covered individual who is employed by the institution and listed on the application has completed RST. The Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), via signature on the face page of the application, will certify the applicant institution’s compliance with this requirement.

**Effective immediately, NIH will no longer request or accept Letters of Intent (LOIs) as part of the application process per NOT-OD-26-019. LOIs that have been submitted will not be acknowledged nor reviewed by the respective ICO or CSR. Potential applicants are encouraged to review NOFO instructions carefully as they are subject to change.

USDA New Priorities for Research and Development

USDA has announced its new funding priorities for future research and development in five broad research areas:

• Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers
• Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products
• Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species
• Promoting Soil Health to Regenerate Long-Term Productivity of Land
• Improving Human Health through Precision Nutrition and Food Quality

Read the full memorandum here.

Hanover Research Queue Proposal Review Availability

Slots available January 28 - April 20, 2026


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 the 2025 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

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.