Limited Submission Funding Announcements

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) seeks to further the development and expansion of life sciences education and training programs offered by post-secondary academic institutions and non-profit organizations through capital investment in industry-aligned certificate and degree programs. The MLSC Post-Secondary Education and Training Grants will award funding for the purchase and installation of life sciences equipment, renovations, lab furniture, materials, supplies, and/or technology that will enable them to effectively prepare students for high-demand career opportunities in the life sciences.

Through this program, the MLSC is seeking to seed, enhance and/or expand training programs that address critical skills and talent supply gaps facing the state’s life science industry. Such programs include those focused on biomanufacturing, data science, and regulatory affairs occupations, among others, and have at least one industry partnership.

FUNDING INFORMATION

Applicants may request up to $500,000.

• Applications submitted by multiple eligible entities collaborating on a project may request up to $400,000 per eligible institution or organization, with costs identified separately for each entity. See the solicitation for details.
• Renovation costs may not exceed 75% of the total project budget. Because renovation requests require institutional support and may not be approved, applicants proposing renovations should consult with the relevant institutional leader before applying for internal selection.

ELIGIBILITY

Projects must prepare students for high-demand or emerging careers in the life sciences and request funding for equipment, supplies, materials, technology, lab furniture, and/or lab renovations to support that training. 

 

Applicants must demonstrate input from life sciences industry professionals and include a letter of support from at least one life sciences company.

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS

The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU (CRC and BUMC) or Boston Medical Center. If you are unsure whether your grants are managed by BU or BMC, please consult the BUMC Home Institution Finder. Use that information to guide which process you follow below.

 

• Step 1: Open the BUMC Home Institution Finder
• Step 2: Log in to search the database – search using your last name
• Step 3: Follow one process:
  • If you see BU or BU-CAMED, follow BU Process below
  • If you see BMC, follow the BMC Process below

BU Process

BU may submit up to two proposals for distinct and unrelated projects.

Interested applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by: 11/11/2026

 

• Project summary (max 2 pages): describing the training program, target students, credentials, delivery model, and anticipated cohort size
• The life sciences occupation(s) and industry skills gap the project will address
• Brief description of the requested equipment (max 1 page)
• Letter of Support: Describing industry and nonprofit partners, including whether a letter of support from a life sciences company is available or planned
• PI CV

As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s). 

 

If your primary appointment is BU-Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and you have questions about this process or your application, please reach out to Julia Huntsman

(jhunts@bu.edu) or Gahyun Yoo (gyoo0818@bu.edu) in the Proposal Development Office.

BMC Process

If you are a BUMC faculty member who works in BMC space or you are a fellow whose faculty advisor is a BMC investigator, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice (carolina.giudice@bmc.org) by Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to express interest in this opportunity.

 

DEADLINES

BMC expression of interest Due: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

BU Internal Materials Due: Tuesday, November 11, 2026 by 11:59pm ET

Anticipated Notification Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2026

External Materials Due: Thursday, January 28, 2027

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑

Note: The NSF has not yet released a full solicitation for this topic yet but is expected to in Fall 2026. The internal competition is announced in anticipation to allow prospective applicants sufficient time to prepare their materials. All information in this announcement is subject to change.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) X-Labs initiative is a flexible, outcomes-driven effort to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking new sectors, advancing use-inspired scientific breakthroughs, and supporting U.S. leadership in science and technology. The X-Labs initiative awards Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) addressing particular topics. Through this OTA, NSF will accept proposals from domestic responsible entities capable of establishing full-time, interdisciplinary R&D teams with the operational autonomy, technical expertise, and organizational flexibility necessary to pursue ambitious missions.

The Computation at the Limit of Physics topic aims to enable advances in computing by developing new technologies and paradigms that overcome the energy-efficiency limits of conventional computing. NSF X-Labs in this topic will narrow the gap between the energy efficiency of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-based computing and the inherent physical limits, enabling new computational capabilities to drive U.S. innovation over the next half-century.

FUNDING INFORMATION: Up to $1.5M for Phase 0 and up to $50M per year for Phase 1.

ELIGIBILITY: Eligible X-Labs must be institutionally independent organizational structures. Thus, to be eligible for an NSF X-Labs Phase 1 award, teams are expected to operate with substantial independence in decision making, staffing, funding, partnerships, and day-to-day operations. Prior to and/or during Phase 0, NSF anticipates that some teams may not yet have established an independent governance structure required of a Phase 1 NSF X-Lab. In such cases, NSF expects to issue a Phase 0 award to a lead organization that will act as a host for the team.

Consult the X-Labs Autonomy Factor Assessment in the September 16 Amendment (section 6.1.1) available on the opportunity website.

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS: BU may submit up to two proposals as a lead organization. Interested applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by Nov. 11.

• Team Mission Summary (Two (2) pages max) describing the team’s mission, how the mission connects with this Topic, and the significance of the proposed transformative approach.
• List of Collaborators.
• Up-to-date CV for the PI or Co-PI(s).
• Email from PI’s Department Chair expressing support.

As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s).

BMC Process

Although BMC investigators may be eligible for this limited submission opportunity, a review of funding guidelines indicates that the focus of this opportunity may not closely align with the current research portfolios of BMC investigators. Investigators who believe their work may be a fit or who have questions about eligibility are encouraged to contact Carolina Giudice, Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, at carolina.giudice@bmc.org.

DEADLINES:

• Internal Materials Due: Wednesday, November 11, 2026  by 11:59 pm ET
• Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, Tuesday, December 1, 2026
• External Materials Due: Early February 2027

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑

Note: The NSF has not yet released a full solicitation for this topic yet but is expected to in Fall 2026. The internal competition is announced in anticipation to allow prospective applicants sufficient time to prepare their materials. All information in this announcement is subject to change.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) X-Labs initiative The NSF X-Labs initiative is a flexible, outcomes-driven effort to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking new sectors, advancing use-inspired scientific breakthroughs, and supporting U.S. leadership in science and technology. The X-Labs initiative awards Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) addressing particular topics. Through this OTA, NSF will accept proposals from domestic responsible entities capable of establishing full-time, interdisciplinary R&D teams with the operational autonomy, technical expertise, and organizational flexibility necessary to pursue ambitious missions.

This topic will enable advances in biological engineering by linking protein sequence and structure to biological function. NSF X-Labs in this topic will close the gap between predicting protein structure and understanding the dynamic behavior of proteins by creating platform technologies that enable the intentional design of individual proteins or entire genomes whose function is predictable and/or controllable.

FUNDING INFORMATION: Up to $1.5M for Phase 0 and up to $50M per year for Phase 1.

ELIGIBILITY: Eligible X-Labs must be institutionally independent organizational structures. Thus, to be eligible for an NSF X-Labs Phase 1 award, teams are expected to operate with substantial independence in decision making, staffing, funding, partnerships, and day-to-day operations. Prior to and/or during Phase 0, NSF anticipates that some teams may not yet have established an independent governance structure required of a Phase 1 NSF X-Lab. In such cases, NSF expects to issue a Phase 0 award to a lead organization that will act as a host for the team.

Consult the X-Labs Autonomy Factor Assessment in the September 16 Amendment (section 6.1.1) available on the opportunity website.

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS: BU may submit up to two proposals as a lead organization. Interested applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by Nov. 11.

• Team Mission Summary (Two (2) pages max) describing the team’s mission, how the mission connects with this Topic, and the significance of the proposed transformative approach.
• List of Collaborators.
• Up-to-date CV for the PI or Co-PI(s).
• Email from PI’s Department Chair expressing support.

As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s).

BMC Process

Although BMC investigators may be eligible for this limited submission opportunity, a review of funding guidelines indicates that the focus of this opportunity may not closely align with the current research portfolios of BMC investigators. Investigators who believe their work may be a fit or who have questions about eligibility are encouraged to contact Carolina Giudice, Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, at carolina.giudice@bmc.org.

DEADLINES:

• Internal Materials Due: Wednesday, November 11, 2026  by 11:59 pm ET
• Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, Tuesday, December 1, 2026
• External Materials Due: Early February 2027

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑

The Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award is designed for early career assistant professors who are independent physician-scientists conducting innovative, disease-oriented cancer research. The award prioritizes candidates whose work involves direct patient interaction, in line with the “Handshake Rule,” although this rule does not apply to pathologists. The program aims to support outstanding young researchers dedicated to enhancing cancer medicine with both research funds and medical school loan repayment.

FUNDING INFORMATION

$600,000 over 3 years with $200,000 allocated to the awardee’s institution each year for support, including the investigator’s stipend and/or fringe benefits. No part of this grant can be used for indirect costs or institutional overhead.

ELIGIBILITY

Only one application is permitted from a mentor or investigator per review session, including co-mentorships.

Applicants must:

• Be independent assistant professors (or equivalent) at a U.S. institution with significant institutional support (start-up package, lab space, protected research time).
• Have an MD, DO, or MD/PhD, completed subspecialty training, and be U.S. Board eligible, holding a valid U.S. medical license.
• Apply within the first 4 years of receiving assistant professor appointment (as of July 1, 2023).
• Commit to 80% research time, with rare exceptions possible upon compelling justification.
• Have a mentor who is established in the field of clinical translational cancer research.
  • No more than two awardees will be funded to work with the same Mentor at any given time.
  • Only one application will be accepted from a Mentor per review session.

Candidates may apply up to two times during the eligibility period.

Candidates with R01 or equivalent grants are ineligible.

For more information about eligibility and application requirements visit the Damon Runyon website.

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS

The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU or Boston Medical Center (BMC). Use the steps below to determine this information:

• Step 1: Open the BUMC Home Institution Finder
• Step 2: Log in to search the database – search using your last name
• Step 3: Follow one process:
  • If you see BU or BU-CAMED, follow BU Process below
  • If you see BMC, follow the BMC Process below

BU Process

BU may submit up to three (3)nominations. Interested medical campus faculty should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by November 9.

• Project Summary (one page max) describing the proposed research.
• Biosketch for the PI and Mentor(s) – past NIH format is acceptable.

As necessary, a review committee drawn from the BU Cancer Research Center will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s).

If your primary appointment is BU-CAMED and you have questions about this process or your application, please reach out to Julia Huntsman at jhunts@bu.edu or Gahyun Yoo at gyoo0818@bu.edu in the Proposal Development Office.

BMC Process

BMC may submit up to three (3) nominations.

If you are a BUMC faculty member who works in BMC space or you are a fellow whose faculty advisor is a BMC investigator, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice at carolina.giudice@bmc.org to express interest in this opportunity.

DEADLINES

• Internal Materials Due: Monday, November 9, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET
• Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, December 11, 2026
• External Materials Due: Tuesday, January 19, 2027

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑

The National Institutes of Health – NLM Institutional Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, and AI 2027(T15 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) program invites applications for institutional predoctoral and postdoctoral research training programs in biomedical informatics, data science, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML). Institutions may propose a new program or renew an existing NLM-supported program.

Programs should provide interdisciplinary training that combines foundational methods with emerging approaches and prepares trainees to apply computational, statistical, and information-science methods to health and biomedical research challenges. Training should include rigorous coursework and supervised research, culminating in an independent research project and dissemination of results through publications and scientific presentations.

This opportunity supports research training—not training primarily for careers focused on planning, deploying, maintaining, or administering health care, public health, or research systems and data. It supports institutional training grants, not individual fellowships.

FUNDING INFORMATION

Application budgets are limited to $775,000 in direct costs. Budgets should reflect the needs of the proposed program. The project period may not exceed five years.

 

ELIGIBILITY

• The Training Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) should be an established investigator in the proposed scientific area with the expertise and experience to lead the program. Applications may include multiple PDs/PIs and faculty mentors.
• The program must support full-time predoctoral and/or postdoctoral research training in biomedical informatics, data science, and AI. It may not support training toward an MD, DDS, or other clinical or health-professional degree, except as part of a formal combined research-degree program, such as an MD/PhD.
• Applications may request NLM support for up to 10 trainees, including up to three postdoctoral fellows. Additional disease-specific training slots may be requested when justified and aligned with a participating NIH Institute or Center’s priorities.
• Trainees must meet NIH National Research Service Award (NRSA) eligibility requirements, including applicable citizenship or permanent-residency requirements. 
• Clinical trial restriction: Trainees may gain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor, but may not lead an independent clinical trial under this opportunity.

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS

The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU or Boston Medical Center (BMC). Use the steps below to determine this information:

• Step 1: Open the BUMC Home Institution Finder
• Step 2: Log in to search the database – search using your last name
• Step 3: Follow one process: 
  • If you see BU or BU-CAMED, follow BU Process below
  • If you see BMC, follow the BMC Process below

BU Process

As an institution, BU may submit two total applications – one from the Charles River Campus and one from the Medical Campus (CAMED, SPH, Dental)

 

Interested applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by: 11/16/26

• Project Summary (2 pages max) describing the proposed training program, leadership and faculty, trainee population and number of slots, training and mentoring plans, recruitment and evaluation plans, NLM relevance, and institutional resources.
• NIH-format biosketch for the PI(s) 
• Brief resource overview (1 page max) explaining how the proposed program meets the opportunity’s eligibility and training requirements.

As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s). 

If your primary appointment is BU-CAMED and you have questions about this process or your application, please reach out to Julia Huntsman (jhunts@bu.edu) or Gahyun Yoo (gyoo0818@bu.edu) in the Proposal Development Office.

BMC Process

BMC may submit one application. 

 

If you are a BUMC faculty member who works in BMC space or you are a fellow whose faculty advisor is a BMC investigator, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice (carolina.giudice@bmc.org) by Friday, November 13 to express interest in this opportunity.

 

DEADLINES

BMC Expression of Interest Due: Friday, November 13, 2026

BU Internal Materials Due: Monday, November 16, 2026

Anticipated Notification Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2026

External Materials Due: Thursday, February 11, 2027

 

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑

The National Institute of Health (NIH) Accelerating Research and Development of Next Generation Vaccines against Malaria – a Model for Mosquito-Borne Diseases 2027 (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) program . Mosquito-borne illnesses remain a major public health concern in the United States and worldwide. Malaria causes the greatest number of deaths globally and poses a significant risk for U.S. citizens abroad. The two first-generation malaria vaccines only offer partial, short-term protection in reducing disease in children over five months of age living in endemic areas. Better vaccines are needed to achieve higher efficacy against infection, severe disease, and/or transmission, offer longer lasting immunity, and protect across broader populations of all ages.

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) uses a R61/R33 Exploratory/Developmental Phased Award activity code to support discovery, proof-of concept, and/or preclinical development activities that are exploratory and developmental in nature, and to enable and accelerate the generation of highly efficacious malaria vaccines directed principally against two major human parasites, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. The NOFO seeks product candidates or concepts that are highly effective in preventing infection, reducing disease burden, and/or blocking transmission of malaria and potentially other mosquito-borne diseases.

FUNDING INFORMATION

• NIAID intends to commit $4M in FY28 to fund 5-7 awards. 
• Budgets for the R61 (exploratory) phase are not expected to exceed $400,000 direct costs annually. 
• Budgets for the R33 (developmental) phase are not expected to exceed $750,000 direct costs annually. 
• Applicants may request up to 3 years of support for the R61 phase, and up to 2 years of support for the R33 phase. 
• The maximum project period is 5 years total.

ELIGIBILITY

The initiative will support activities that include, but are not limited to, the following topics: 

 

For discovery and proof of concept for vaccine candidate features:

• Design and/or construction of novel vaccine concepts utilizing improved immunogen design or new antigen(s), formulation, novel innovative or modern technology platforms [e.g., Artificial Intelligence (AI)-guided vaccine design] intended to lead to significant prevention of infection, reduction of disease, or blocking of transmission.
• Exploration of combination vaccine concepts:
  • Combination of different vaccine platforms to elicit a broader range of protective immune responses,
  • Combination of multiple protein subunit immunogens to target one or more functional biological pathways,
  • Multi-stage vaccines targeting different life cycle stages of the parasites, for example, pre-erythrocytic, blood, and/or sexual stages of the parasite,
  • Vaccine concepts that target mosquito vector products (e.g., salivary gland proteins) or processes that may help to reduce pathogen infection, transmission or disease.
• Demonstration of favorable vaccine features by confirming immunogenicity and efficacy of candidates using new approach methodologies (NAMs) or appropriate animal models [Note: for this NOFO, efficacy is defined as prevention of infection, disease, or relapse (e.g., for P. vivax)]. Examples of NAMs include novel functional assays, model systems, in vitro or ex vivo culture systems, or computational and AI-based approaches.

For preclinical development:

• Critical assay and process development,
• Formulation improvement,
• Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) pilot lot production and release,
• Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling activities,
• Regulatory support required for initiation of Phase I trial (clinical protocol development or implementation of clinical trial excluded).

Applications Not Responsive to this NOFO

The following types of applications are not responsive to this NOFO and will not be reviewed:

• Applications that propose malaria vaccine concepts principally focused on Plasmodium parasites other than P. falciparum or P. vivax
• Applications that propose Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicology studies in animals
• Applications that propose clinical trial protocol development

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS

The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU or Boston Medical Center (BMC). Use the steps below to determine this information:

Step 1: Open the BUMC Home Institution Finder

Step 2: Log in to search the database – search using your last name

Step 3: Follow one process:

• If you see BU or BU-CAMED, follow BU Process below
• If you see BMC, follow the BMC Process below

BU Process

As an institution, BU may submit two total applications – one from the Charles River Campus and one from the Medical Campus (CAMED, SPH, Dental).

Interested applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by: 11/17/2026

• Research/Project Summary (2 pages max)
  • Include an overview of a product development plan, outline how the project will support the overall vaccine development pipeline and how the anticipated outcome will inform future development considerations. 
• NIH Biosketch

As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s). 

 

If your primary appointment is BU-CAMED and you have questions about this process or your application, please reach out to Julia Huntsman (jhunts@bu.edu) or Gahyun Yoo (gyoo0818@bu.edu) in the Proposal Development Office.

 

BMC Process

BMC may submit one application.

 

If you are a BUMC faculty member who works in BMC space or you are a fellow whose faculty advisor is a BMC investigator, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice (carolina.giudice@bmc.org) by Friday, November 13 to express interest in this opportunity.

 

DEADLINES

BMC Expression of Interest Due: Friday, November 13, 2026

BU Internal Materials Due: Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Anticipated Notification Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2026

External Materials Due: Thursday, February 11, 2027

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑

The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation Research Grant supports innovative, high-risk high-reward basic science ideally with translational applications. Some examples of currently funded research areas are immunology, microbiome, structural biology, cellular physiology, cancer biology, genetics, genomics, microbiology and infectious diseases, stem cell biology, and neuroscience. In general, the Mathers Foundation reviewers look for innovative, novel proposals, which have scientific merit with an established published proof of concept, and which may not be fundable at the federal level.

The foundation will not fund work related to COVID-19, Plant Biology Research, Oceanography, Space Exploration, Global Warming related research, medical imaging technology related projects and/or electrical engineering technology development. The foundation will also not fund work conducted with human subjects or requests for clinical trials, drug discovery, or research projects it considers pre-clinical drug development. Preference will be given to research that has not been federally supported. This grant program is highly competitive.

FUNDING INFORMATION

Up to $700,000 for three years (including 10% maximum IDC) may be requested. Mathers funding is intended to support only the actual investigation and may not be used to purchase capital equipment. The maximum allowed for student tuition or equipment is $5,000.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be independent investigators with their own fully functional and equipped labs and must be nominated by an institutional representative.

Collaborative research projects with other US-based organizations are acceptable. However, research collaborations between US based organizations and organizations based outside the US are not encouraged and will be given lower priority.

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS
The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU or Boston Medical Center. If you are unsure whether your grants are managed by BU or BMC, please consult the BUMC Home Institution Finder. Use that information to guide which of the following processes you follow.

BU Process 
BU can nominate up to three (3) applicants.
Interested investigators should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by November 19, 2026.

• Project Aims Statement describing experimental aims and sub-aims (2,000 characters maximum, including spaces).
• Proof of Concept Statement providing evidence/validation for the proposed project; it should indicate whether the evidence for the project is “preliminary” and whether proof of concept has been published in any journals (2,000 characters maximum, including spaces).
• Project Summary intended for a highly educated lay audience and a scientific review board describing the project’s nature and scope. If your project includes collaborators, include their names, affiliation, and contributions within the text (7,000 characters maximum, including spaces).
• Up-to-date CV or Biosketch for the PI.

A faculty committee drawn from both campuses will review internal proposals and select nominees. Foundation Relations will work with the selected applicants to complete their institutional nominations and portal registration by January 28, 2027.

BMC Process 

BMC can nominate up to 3 applicants. If you are a BUMC faculty member who works in BMC space or you are a fellow whose faculty advisor is a BMC investigator, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice carolina.giudice@bmc.org by November 13, 2026 for instructions on next steps.

DEADLINES

• BMC Internal Deadline: Friday, November 13, 2026 by 11:59pm ET.
• BU Internal Deadline: Thursday, November 19, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET 
• Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, December 18, 2027 
• Portal Registration Due: Thursday, January 28, 2027 by 8 pm ET 
• LOI Due: Thursday, February 11, 2026 by 8 pm ET 
• Invited Formal Proposals Due: Thursday, April 15, 2027 by 8 pm ETNote: BU Sponsored Programs requires review of all LOIs with a budget included. The PI would need to work with Foundation Relations and their grants admin to prepare a packet for OSP review.

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑

The RRF Foundation for Aging Responsive Grants in Advocacy, Professional Education, or Research award grants to high-impact advocacy, actionable research, and knowledge-sharing projects that have the potential to improve quality of life for older Americans across five key priority areas: age equity, caregiving, economic security, housing, and social connection. The foundation defines high impact as having a profound, positive, enduring effect on large numbers of older adults.

BU faculty may submit applications for one of the following three RRF grant types:

• Advocacy: To advance systems change, including the development, adoption, and enforcement of policies and practices, coalition building, and grassroots organizing.
• Actionable research: To seek solutions through policy research, dissemination and implementation sciences, and intervention studies that are generalizable to large numbers of people.
• Knowledge sharing & awareness raising: To convey information, shape narratives, and drive positive change on aging issues through journalism, learning communities, media, and dissemination.

Across all priority areas and grant types, the RRF particularly welcomes proposals for projects that address or incorporate technology and digital literacy, intergenerational programs that cultivate age inclusivity, and the opportunities and challenges of solo aging. Interested applicants can learn more about RRF grantmaking priorities and view similar grants funded by this call on the RRF website and in the foundation’s Strategic Direction Overview.

For more information about the RRF Foundation for Aging’s grantmaking process and priorities, watch a recording of BU’s recent Meet the Funder event.

FUNDING INFORMATION

RRF Foundation does not indicate a minimum or maximum funding amount. Funding is provided based on realistic budgets that include all expenses needed to effectively implement the proposed project. 10% of the requested amount can be allocated to indirect costs.

In 2026, awards amounts ranged from $50,000 to $390,000 with an average award of $100,000-$150,000 for 18 months[GJ1] across advocacy, education, and research areas. Interested applicants can find more information on RRF’s Grant History page.

ELIGIBILITY

RRF provides an Eligibility Quiz (opens 1 month prior to LOI deadline) to quickly assess the areas described below. If you are eligible and want to apply, you must complete the internal application process.

Research Grants are provided to nonprofit organizations that are:

• Proposing applied research projects that have immediate and direct implications on the adult population, age 60 and older.
• Proposing a project that will have national relevance across the U.S. or regional relevance within the state of Illinois

RRF generally does not fund:

• Projects that are not intentionally focused on older people, age 60 and above
• Projects outside of the United States
• Grants to individuals
• Lobbying
• General operating expenses or support for ongoing programs without significant changes in strategy or focus
• Biomedical research, basic theory development for social science research, or research and development for new technology
• Construction of facilities, capital improvements, or computer equipment
• Conferences, publications, or production of films and videos unless they are integral components of a larger project
• Dissertation research, tuition expenses, or education programs for undergraduate or graduate students
• Endowments, capital campaigns, or fundraising events
• Private foundations
• Financial deficits

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS

The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU or Boston Medical Center (BMC). Use the steps below to determine this information:

Step 1: Open the BUMC Home Institution Finder

Step 2: Log in to search the database – search using your last name

Step 3: Follow one process:

• If you see BU or BU-CAMED, follow BU Process below
• If you see BMC, follow the BMC Process below

BU Process

BU may submit one LOI per department per deadline.

Interested medical campus applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by December 1, 2026.

• Proposal Abstract (500 words max) describing the aims of the proposed project, the target population, and how it aligns with RRF’s mission.
• Up-to-date CV for the PI

As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s).

If your primary appointment is BU-CAMED and you have questions about this process or your application, please reach out to Julia Huntsman (jhunts@bu.edu) or Gahyun Yoo (gyoo0818@bu.edu) in the Proposal Development Office.

BMC Process

BMC may submit one LOI per cycle. If you are a BUMC faculty member who works in BMC space or you are a fellow whose faculty advisor is a BMC investigator, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice (carolina.giudice@bmc.org) by Wednesday, December 16 to express interest in this opportunity.

BMC investigators do not submit applications through InfoReady Review for this LSO. BMC investigators should contact Carolina for guidance on next steps.

DEADLINES
BMC – Expression of Interest Due: Wednesday, December 16, 2026
BU Internal Materials Due: Tuesday, December 1, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET
Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, December 18, 2026
External Materials Due: Monday, February 1, 2027

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑

The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program supports the research and teaching careers of talented early career faculty in the chemical sciences. The Award is based on an independent body of scholarship attained in the early years of their appointment, as well as a demonstrated commitment to education, signaling the promise of continuing outstanding contributions to both research and teaching.

The Foundation seeks nominees who, as independent faculty members, demonstrate leadership in original scholarly research of outstanding quality, as well as innovation in and dedication to education. Recommendations for awards should be based upon compelling evidence that the nominee’s independent scholarly research has led to important advances in the chemical sciences and will continue to do so.

FUNDING INFORMATION: $100,000 as an unrestricted research grant ($7,500 may be allocated for departmental expenses associated with research and education). The following are not permitted costs: indirect costs or institutional overhead; defrayal of academic year salary (summer salary is permitted).

ELIGIBILITY

The award is open to faculty who meet all the following criteria:

• Hold a full-time tenure-track appointment focused on the chemical sciences, including chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering.
• Be within the first 6 years of their independent academic careers at the time the nomination is submitted.
  • The Foundation will consider extensions to the window of eligibility for official tenure clock stops, for reasons including but not limited to parental leave, military leave, medical leave, and the pandemic.
  • Faculty who have received tenure but are still within the first 6 years as independent faculty are eligible to apply.
• Hold a position in a PhD-granting department in which scholarly research is a principal activity and undergraduate education is an important component.

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS: BU may nominate one candidate annually. Interested medical campus faculty should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by December 3, 2026.

• Research Summary describing the applicant’s research accomplishments as an independent faculty member and future research plans (maximum five (5) pages including references).
• Including at least one graphic is encouraged but not required.
• Efforts in Education Statement illustrating their efforts in chemical sciences education (maximum two (2) pages).
• Updated CV including a list of publications in which the corresponding author and undergraduate coauthors are clearly identified. Research support should be indicated (maximum four (4) pages).
• Name and Contact Information for:.
  • One (1) person at BU who would serve as your Institutional Nominator.
  • Three (3) people outside of BU who could provide Letters of Support

As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee. Foundation Relations will support the nominee to submit their nomination materials by February 4, 2027.

DEADLINES

• • • Internal Materials Due: Thursday, December 3, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET
    • Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, December 18, 2026
    • Nominations Due: Thursday, February 4, 2027

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑

The Integrated Data Systems and Services (IDSS) program supports operations-level national-scale cyberinfrastructure systems and services that broadly advance and facilitate open, data-intensive and artificial intelligence-driven science and engineering research, innovation, and education. Projects that aim to primarily benefit a single science discipline, domain, project, or application are not supported by this program.

This program awards proposals in the following three categories:

1. Category I – Development, deployment, and operation of novel national-scale integrated data systems and services, which may include interfacing with or leveraging other existing capabilities, systems and services as appropriate to the project.
2. Category II – Transition of established smaller scale, regional, pilot, or prototype data-focused systems and services to national-scale production/operational quality/level.
3. Category III – Planning grants for future potential development/deployment or transition/enhancement IDSS projects (not limited)

FUNDING INFORMATION: Funding depends on the type of award as described below:

• Category I: Between $10M to $30M for up to five (5) years.
• Category II: Up to $9M for up to three 3 years.

ELIGIBILITY

There are no restrictions or limits on who may serve as PI. An individual may participate as PI, co-PI, or other Senior Personnel on at most one proposal across Categories I and II for each solicitation deadline. For example, if an individual participates on a Category I proposal, the individual may not participate in a Category II proposal.

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS BU may submit up to one proposal each to Category I and Category II as the lead institution (2 total). There are no institutional limits on proposals for Category III.

Interested medical campus applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by January 28, 2027.

• Proposal Summary (Two (2) pages max) briefly describing the goals and vision of the proposed project, proposed project’s architecture and intended systems and services, and a preliminary list of objectives for the proposed project. Citations may be included on one additional page.
• List of Collaborators.
• Up-to-date CV for the PI.

As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional nominee(s).

DEADLINES

• Internal Materials Due: Thursday, January 28, 2027 by 11:59 pm ET
• Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, February 19, 2027
• External Materials Due: Tuesday, July 27, 2027

In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy

BACK TO TOP↑