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.

EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR Research Fellows (ERF) - NSF

This program provides an opportunity for early career and non-tenured and tenured assistant/associate professor faculty to establish strong collaborations with the option to spend extended or periodic time (e.g., one, two, or three-month summer extended visit) at the nation's premier research facilities. The fellowship period may be used to initiate new collaborative relationships, to expand existing partnerships in ambitious new directions, or to make use of unique equipment not available at the PI's home institution. Successful fellowships will positively impact and potentially transform the recipient's research career trajectory. This fellowship support is intended to provide opportunities for PIs to establish collaborations and work at facilities of national prominence that would not otherwise be possible without the fellowship. EPSCoR Research Fellows program provides opportunities for the participation of one trainee, who must be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled full-time in an accredited degree program, or a postdoctoral researcher from an EPSCoR jurisdiction. Staff members, such as technicians or lab assistants could be considered as trainees when properly justified.

Institutional Limit: Four (4) Proposals

Internal Deadline: February 5, 2026, 4:45pm

Funder Deadline: April 14, 2026, 5:00pm CT

February 13, 2026
February 20, 2026
April 9, 2026
Research & Innovation Center
3:00-5:00pm


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

Registration for the February 13 session runs January 28 - February 4

Faculty are invited to attend and participate in this AI@AU/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

Showcase Your AI Work!
*Posters *Slides *Lightning Talks

Submission Portal Closes January 29

Required Event Registration Opens February 5.

Funding Opportunities

NSF: Science of Learning and Augmented Intelligence



This program supports potentially transformative research that develops basic theoretical insights and fundamental knowledge about principles, processes and mechanisms of learning, and about augmented intelligence; and how human cognitive function can be augmented through interactions with others or with technology, or through variations in context. Seeks research proposals on augmented intelligence that clearly articulate principled ways in which human approaches to learning and related processes can be improved through interactions with others or through the use of artificial intelligence in technology.

Proposals Due Feb. 11, 2026 and August 5, 2026, 5:00pm

M2D2 $200K Challenge – Medical & Biotech Startup Competition

Hosted by M2D2, the annual $200K Challenge supports early-stage medical technology and biotechnology startups with a share of $200,000 in sponsor-provided in-kind services, strategic support, and cash awards. Finalists will gain access to resources such as lab and office space, engineering and product development support, and legal, regulatory, clinical, and business services to help bring innovations to market.

This year's areas of interest:

Devices intended to simplify and improve women’s health, using the definition of women’s health as conditions that only affect women, affect women disproportionately, or affect women differently to include solutions to reduce inequities in maternal and perinatal health, especially in rural communities.

Applications Due: February 15, 2026

USDA: New World Screwworm Grand Challenge

APHIS is announcing the availability of funding to combat New World screwworm (NWS) and prevent its northward spread. 

Through this opportunity, APHIS is investing up to $100 million to support projects in the following priority topics:

• Enhance sterile NWS fly production
• Develop novel NWS traps and lures
• Develop and increase understanding of NWS therapeutics/treatments (i.e., products that could treat, prevent, or control NWS) for animals and that could be stockpiled and used in animals should NWS reach the United States  
• Develop other tools to bolster preparedness or response to NWS 

Applications Due: February 23, 2026, 11:59pm ET

Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts: Production and Presentation Grants 

The foundation invites applications from organizations for production and presentation grants which may be applied to the production-related expenses necessary to take a project from conceptualization to realization and public presentation. These projects include but are not limited to exhibitions, installations, film/video/new media web initiatives, public programs, and publications. The foundation’s priorities include assisting with the production and presentation of significant programs about architecture and the designed environment to promote dialogue, raising awareness, and developing new and wider audiences.

Proposals Due: February 25, 2026, 5:00pm CT

National Academies: Gulf Research Program Science Policy Fellowship 

National Academies is accepting applications for the Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellowship, which offers early-career scientists and engineers the opportunity to hone their skills by applying them in real-world policy settings that support Gulf Coast communities and ecosystems. Fellows gain first-hand experience applying science to policy as they spend one year on the staff of federal, state, local, or non-governmental agencies in the Gulf region.

Applications Due: February 26, 2026, 4:00 CT

Autism Science Foundation: 2026 Profound Autism Pilot Grants

ASF aims to support autism research by providing funding and other assistance to scientists and organizations conducting, facilitating, publicizing and disseminating such research. Its pilot grants program supports one-year research projects focused on profound autism conducted by established investigators. The award is up to $35,000 and may be used to cover supplies or salary support and fringe for staff, including post-doctoral fellows, tenured or tenure-track faculty or other percent effort. It also may be used to cover small amounts of consulting costs.

Proposals Due: March 2, 2026, 5:00pm ET

Important Updates

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.

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 

AU Libraries: Savvy Researcher Boot Camp
Saturday, January 31, 2025
9:15am - 4:00pm
RBD Library

The Savvy Researcher Boot Camp is a daylong event offering workshops led by faculty and staff from Auburn University Libraries, University Writing, and Academic Coaching. Topics include locating scholarly sources, writing literature reviews, and managing citations and data.

Lunchtime program features presentations by AU’s 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) winners. 

PCORI 2026 & Beyond Webinar

February 5, 2026
1:30pm CT

Join Pcori leaders to hear about upcoming funding opportunities for patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research and related projects discover practical ways to actively engage with PCORI and help shape future research.

Register Here.

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 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

AU Libraries I&RC’s Adobe Creative Space Offers Assistance and Workshops

The Adobe Creative Space in the AU Libraries’ Innovation & Research Commons (I&RC) offers an Adobe help desk and Zoom room staffed with student employees to assist users in learning skills to complete academic and research projects using Adobe Creative Cloud applications.  

• Find the Adobe Student Consultants’ schedule, areas of specialty, help desk location, policies, and Adobe Help Zoom room link on the I&RC Adobe Creative Space page.

• The I&RC also offers Adobe/multimedia workshops in-person and via Zoom at and on-demand instructional content for students, faculty, and staff.  
  
• Visit the I&RC Instructional Content page for on-demand video recordings including Photoshop for Researchers and more. 

Questions? Contact: Chelsy Hooper at RBD.

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.