One New Limited Submission Opportunity for the Week of January 12, 2026

Research Development Office

Funding Landscape and New Limited Submission Opportunities for the Week of January 12, 2026

Click here to share this information with department heads and eligible faculty.

Funding Landscape

Iowa NSF EPSCoR Chemurgy 2.0 issues a call for seed fund proposals.

This call supports new projects with high-impact research that advance Iowa’s leadership in biomanufacturing and sustainable materials innovation. The award is $50,000 over 12 months. Deadline: February 15, 2026.

The Retirement Research Foundation for Aging (RRF) supports research projects that improve the lives of older adults.

RRF gives priority to projects focused on:

  • Caregiving
  • Economic security
  • Housing
  • Social and intergenerational connectedness
  • Other promising topics related to aging

Note: Each department may submit only one letter of intent (LOI). Please coordinate with your departmental leadership before preparing an LOI.

Upcoming LOI deadlines: February, May, and November 1, 2026.

New Limited Submission Opportunities

DOD: BAA for Advancement of Technologies for Use by Special Operations Forces

Description: United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L), Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T), transformed the BAA infrastructure to better align with the USSOCOM Commander’s strategic priorities and vision. As such, the S&T Directorate will continue to evolve its investment strategy by focusing on SOF modernization. These will include broader disruptive technology that meet the demands of the strategic vision and Future Operating Environment (FOE). USSOCOM will continue making some investments in Special Operations Forces (SOF) enhancements in the programs of record.
Limitation: one application per topic area per institution 
Internal Submission Deadline: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Sponsor Application Deadline: Thursday, December 31, 2026

Reminder Limited Submission Opportunities

NSF: Scholarships in STEM Network (S-STEM-Net): S-STEM Research Hubs

Description: Through this solicitation, NSF seeks to foster a network of S-STEM stakeholders and further develop the infrastructure needed to generate and disseminate new knowledge, successful practices and effective design principles arising from NSF S-STEM projects nationwide. The ultimate vision of the legislation governing the S-STEM parent program[1] (and of the current S-STEM-Net solicitation) is that all Americans, regardless of economic status, should be able to contribute to the American innovation economy if they so desire.
Limitation: one application per institution 
Internal Submission Deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Sponsor Application Deadline: Thursday, August 13, 2026
The University of Iowa