Grants for Small businesses - Science and Technology

This competition provides funding for individuals and organizations to develop innovative energy storage technologies that address unique challenges in underserved communities and extreme climates.

This grant provides funding for U.S.-based researchers, including advanced graduate students, to participate in Earth-based simulations that support the planning and execution of future lunar missions under the Artemis program.

This program provides financial support to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts districts, and individual professionals in Pennsylvania to help them recover and stabilize after the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Vallejo received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to establish a grant program aimed at supporting local small businesses severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative directly aligns with the city's commitment to economic recovery and resilience, seeking to mitigate the negative financial repercussions experienced by its business community. The program's core mission is to provide crucial financial assistance, specifically targeting security improvements, thereby fostering a safer and more stable operating environment for eligible businesses within Vallejo. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are for-profit and non-profit brick-and-mortar businesses situated in Vallejo. To qualify, businesses must possess a valid Vallejo business license, employ 20 or fewer individuals, and provide receipts for purchases made between January 1, 2023, and September 24, 2024. The program's impact goals are focused on enhancing the physical security of these businesses, thereby reducing vulnerability to crime and creating a more secure commercial landscape. The program prioritizes funding for security improvements, with grants available up to $3,000 for items such as cameras, locks, and window enhancements. This focus addresses a critical need for small businesses that may lack the resources to invest in such protective measures independently. The expected outcomes include a tangible increase in the security infrastructure of participating businesses, leading to a safer environment for employees, customers, and business assets. Measurable results will be directly tied to the utilization of grant funds for approved security upgrades. Success will be determined by the number of businesses receiving grants, the types of security improvements implemented, and potentially, a reduction in reported incidents related to security vulnerabilities among grant recipients. The City of Vallejo's strategic priority through this program is to strengthen its local economy by supporting its small business sector, recognizing that a resilient business community is vital for overall city prosperity and recovery from the pandemic's economic downturn. The underlying theory of change is that by providing targeted financial aid for essential security enhancements, the city can empower small businesses to protect their assets, maintain operations, and contribute to the broader economic stability and revitalization of Vallejo.

This program provides an immersive 12-week accelerator for female tech founders of for-profit businesses, helping them access capital and grow their ventures.

To obtain a copy of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) please go to the ARPA-E website at https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov. To apply to this FOA, Applicants must register with and submit application materials through ARPA-E eXCHANGE (https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/Registration.aspx). For detailed guidance on using ARPA-E eXCHANGE, please refer to the ARPA-E eXCHANGE User Guide (https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx). ARPA-E will not review or consider concept papers submitted through other means. For problems with ARPA-E eXCHANGE, email ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov (with FOA name and number in the subject line). Questions about this FOA? Check the Frequently Asked Questions available at http://arpa-e.energy.gov/faq. For questions that have not already been answered, email ARPA-E-CO@hq.doe.gov. Agency Overview: The Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy (ARPA-E), an organization within the Department of Energy (DOE), is chartered by Congress in the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-69), as amended by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-358), as further amended by the Energy Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-260) to: (A) to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States through the development of energy technologies that (i) reduce imports of energy from foreign sources; (ii) reduce energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases; (iii) improve the energy efficiency of all economic sectors; (iv) provide transformative solutions to improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel; and (v) improve the resilience, reliability, and security of infrastructure to produce, deliver, and store energy; and (B) to ensure that the United States maintains a technological lead in developing and deploying advanced energy technologies. ARPA-E issues this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) under its authorizing statute codified at 42 U.S.C. 16538. The FOA and any awards made under this FOA are subject to 2 C.F.R. Part 200 as supplemented by 2 C.F.R. Part 910. ARPA-E funds research on and the development of transformative science and technology solutions to address the energy and environmental missions of the Department. The agency focuses on technologies that can be meaningfully advanced with a modest investment over a defined period of time in order to catalyze the translation from scientific discovery to early-stage technology. For the latest news and information about ARPA-E, its programs and the research projects currently supported, see: http://arpa-e.energy.gov/. ARPA-E funds transformational research. Existing energy technologies generally progress on established learning curves where refinements to a technology and the economies of scale that accrue as manufacturing and distribution develop drive down the cost/performance metric in a gradual fashion. This continual improvement of a technology is important to its increased commercial deployment and is appropriately the focus of the private sector or the applied technology offices within DOE. By contrast, ARPA-E supports transformative research that has the potential to create fundamentally new learning curves. ARPA-E technology projects typically start with cost/performance estimates well above the level of an incumbent technology. Given the high risk inherent in these projects, many will fail to progress, but some may succeed in generating a new learning curve with a projected cost/performance metric that is significantly lower than that of the incumbent technology. ARPA-E funds technology with the potential to be disruptive in the marketplace. The mere creation of a new learning curve does not ensure market penetration. Rather, the ultimate value of a technology is determined by the marketplace, and impactful technologies ultimately become disruptive that is, they are widely adopted and displace existing technologies from the marketplace or create entirely new markets. ARPA-E understands that definitive proof of market disruption takes time, particularly for energy technologies. Therefore, ARPA-E funds the development of technologies that, if technically successful, have clear disruptive potential, e.g., by demonstrating capability for manufacturing at competitive cost and deployment at scale. ARPA-E funds applied research and development. The Office of Management and Budget defines applied research as an original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledgedirected primarily towards a specific practical aim or objective and defines experimental development as creative and systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience, which is directed at producing new products or processes or improving existing products or processes. (http://science.energy.gov/). Office of Science national scientific user facilities (http://science.energy.gov/user-facilities/) are open to all researchers, including ARPA-E Applicants and awardees. These facilities provide advanced tools of modern science including accelerators, colliders, supercomputers, light sources and neutron sources, as well as facilities for studying the nanoworld, the environment, and the atmosphere. Projects focused on early-stage R for the improvement of technology along defined roadmaps may be more appropriate for support through the DOE applied energy offices including: the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (http://www.eere.energy.gov/), the Office of Fossil Energy (http://fossil.energy.gov/), the Office of Nuclear Energy (http://www.energy.gov/ne/office-nuclear-energy), and the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (http://energy.gov/oe/office-electricity-delivery-and-energy-reliability). Applicants interested in receiving financial assistance for basic research (defined by the Office of Management and Budget as experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts) should contact the DOEs Office of Science (http://science.energy.gov/). Office of Science national scientific user facilities (http://science.energy.gov/user-facilities/) are open to all researchers, including ARPA-E Applicants and awardees. These facilities provide advanced tools of modern science including accelerators, colliders, supercomputers, light sources and neutron sources, as well as facilities for studying the nanoworld, the environment, and the atmosphere. Projects focused on early-stage R for the improvement of technology along defined roadmaps may be more appropriate for support through the DOE applied energy offices including: the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (http://www.eere.energy.gov/), the Office of Fossil Energy (http://fossil.energy.gov/), the Office of Nuclear Energy (http://www.energy.gov/ne/office-nuclear-energy), and the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (http://energy.gov/oe/office-electricity-delivery-and-energy-reliability). Program Description: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a circular economy refers to an economy that uses a systems-focused approach and involves industrial processes and economic activities that are restorative or regenerative by design, enables resources used in such processes and activities to maintain their highest value for as long as possible, and aims for the elimination of waste through the superior design of materials, products, and systems. Further, a circular economy reduces material use, redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource intensive, and recaptures waste as a resource to manufacture new materials and products. Successfully achieving a circular economy requires implementing the above principles to the supply chains of numerous products. Specifically, creating a circular EV battery supply chain focuses on optimizing the full vehicle life cycle. Thus, the emphasis must shift from production and sales within an ownership model to a model focusing on customers mobility needs and access in the form of leasing, as it exists today, vehicle-on-demand (e.g., Zipcar), and mobility-on-demand (e.g., robotaxis). These different business models may coexist but will require increasing collaboration and transparency among different actors, while costs and revenues will be distributed across the supply chain. A circular supply chain offers new revenue streams and business opportunities by providing services to maximize EVs lifetime performance through: Enhancing regular predictive maintenance; Repairing and remanufacturing of battery modules and packs; Improving the reuse and recovery of EOL parts and materials; and Minimizing carbon footprint and maximizing resource efficiency. A circular supply chain also offers opportunities to reduce production and operating costs by: Improving the quality and stability of critical minerals supply chains through cell regeneration, reuse, and recycling; Facilitating rework, reuse, repair, and remanufacture of batteries through modular designs, reversible manufacturing materials and methods; and Reducing asset costs per unit amount of energy delivered owing to the retention of the embedded manufacturing value of batteries, their prolonged lifetime, and the extended use of EVs. The overarching goal of the CIRCULAR program is to successfully translate the above definition of a circular economy to the domestic EV battery supply chain by supporting the development of innovative solutions that can overcome both the technological and economic barriers to broad commercial adoption. CIRCULAR acknowledges that simultaneous advancements in multiple technological domains may be required to accomplish this ambitious objective. Therefore, the program is intentionally structured into three technology development categories designed to converge towards the creation of a domestic circular supply chain for EV batteries. The CIRCULAR program recognizes that conventional recycling is not the only, nor primary, pathway to closing the supply chain loop. Therefore, the primary objective of this program is to catalyze the creation of a circular EV battery supply chain in North America. The program will support the development and deployment of foundational technologies capable of maintaining materials and products in circulation at their highest level of performance and safety for as long as possible. Achieving this goal will directly impact ARPA-E mission areas as follows: Decrease Energy-Related Imports: The CIRCULAR program aims to reduce the import of critical battery materials, cells, packs, and EVs by establishing new supply chain loops within the U.S. Currently, individual steps in the battery supply chain (mining, material processing, cell component assembly, battery cell manufacturing, and recycling) are concentrated mostly outside of the U.S. Reduce Emissions: The CIRCULAR program aims to decrease the domestic energy burden and carbon footprint of the EV battery supply chain by extending the service life of battery cells and packs and by maintaining manufacturing value to the greatest extent possible through regeneration, repair, reuse, and remanufacture. The program will also reduce emissions associated with battery recycling by minimizing the amount of waste and by recycling only pack components that have reached their EOL. Improve Energy Efficiency: The CIRCULAR program aims to minimize energy and material consumption within the battery supply chain and to exploit opportunities to improve energy efficiency through innovative battery design, material regeneration, and/or manufacturing strategies. To view the FOA in its entirety, please visit https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov.

The Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has launched the 2024-2025 Downtown Creative Collaborators Grants (DCCG) program. This program is designed to support projects and events that will take place in Downtown Miami during the fiscal year 2024-2025 (October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025). The DDA's mission, as aligned with this grant, is to strengthen Downtown Miami's appeal as a global destination and stimulate demonstrable economic impact within the area through innovative projects and events. The DCCG program targets organizations producing and implementing activations in Downtown Miami. The goal is to benefit the Downtown community by fostering connections, attracting tourism, and providing affordable, family-friendly programming. The program also aims to promote Miami as an international and diverse cultural center, a culinary destination, and an innovation hub, while also highlighting its rich history, art, culture, and natural resources. Funding priorities for the DCCG include activating outdoor venues, creating community-building opportunities, offering family-friendly programming, promoting Miami as a global city, providing cultural and historic education, raising public transportation awareness, and offering free or discounted projects and events. The grant specifically encourages content that features the communities, history, and natural resources in Miami-Dade County. Priority will be given to projects that clearly and visibly state free or discounted admissions for area residents, families, and students in their marketing and promotional materials. Expected outcomes include a measurable economic impact in Downtown Miami, increased appeal of the area as a global destination, enhanced community engagement, and greater awareness and ridership of Downtown Miami's multimodal transportation options. By supporting diverse and innovative projects, the DDA aims to further establish Downtown Miami as a vibrant hub for arts, culture, entertainment, and innovation, contributing to the overall strategic development and economic growth of the city center. Grant awards can range from $5,000.00 up to $50,000.00, and applicants must secure additional funding commitments, as the DCCG cannot be the sole funding source.

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) is soliciting applications to the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) using delegated authority provided by United States Code, Title 10, Section 4001 (10 USC 4001). The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) is the program management agent for this funding opportunity. Congress initiated the ERP in 2015 to provide support for longitudinal epidemiological research to better understand the incidence of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to improve patient care and outcomes. The FY24 ERP challenges the research community to (1) investigate topics related to epileptogenesis for the identification of mechanisms by which brain injury produces epilepsy, (2) study the prevention of PTE and concomitant comorbidities, and (3) develop innovative research tools or biomarkers to better detect, diagnose, or predict the development of PTE. Appropriations for the ERP from FY15 through FY24 totaled $85.5 million (M). The FY24 appropriation is $12M. The ERP encourages collaboration among PTE researchers and urges the scientific community to utilize equitable partnerships with people living with PTE to maximize the translational and impact potential of proposed research. Applications from investigators within the military Services and applications involving multidisciplinary collaborations among academia, industry, the military Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other federal government agencies are highly encouraged. These relationships can leverage knowledge, infrastructure, and access to unique clinical populations that the collaborators bring to the research effort, ultimately advancing research that is of significance to Service Members, Veterans, their Families and/or care partners.

This funding opportunity is designed to support projects that improve information security and responsible technology practices in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly benefiting organizations working with marginalized communities and enhancing regional resilience against disinformation and cybersecurity threats.

This initiative supports U.S.-based startups with innovative solutions in Earth Observation for supply chains and Off-World Production, providing mentorship and resources to help them scale their space-based technologies.

The Alliance for Pediatric Device Innovation (APDI) is offering grants up to $50,000 for pediatric medical devices aimed at improving the monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment of youth substance use disorders and addiction. Up to $150,000 in total grant funds are available for distribution. Eligible applicants include inventors from established businesses, startups, and academic researchers with commercializable device concepts that address unmet pediatric needs. The goal is to support the development of devices that can be commercialized, with an emphasis on bridging the gap between prototyping and FDA approval, marketing, and sales. Proposals should focus on innovations such as AI-based diagnostic tools, digital therapeutics, wearable devices, and neuromodulation therapies. The application deadline is July 30, 2024, and winners will be announced on August 15, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for institutions and organizations to create and manage a resource that supplies human tissues and organs for biomedical research, benefiting studies on various diseases and health conditions.

This funding opportunity is designed to support public-private partnerships that leverage artificial intelligence to improve the resilience and competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing through innovative research and workforce development.

The Roanoke County Economic Development Authority’s Business Equipment Acquisition Program (BEAP) Grant is designed to support eligible for-profit businesses within Roanoke County by providing funding for the acquisition of new capital. This program aligns with the Authority's mission to foster economic growth and strengthen local businesses by enabling them to bolster their operations. The grant directly addresses the need for capital investment, which is crucial for business expansion and modernization. The primary target beneficiaries of the BEAP Grant are for-profit businesses located in Roanoke County that meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify, businesses must employ more than three full-time employees at a physical location in the county, have operated for at least one year, hold a current County or town business license, and be in good standing with all local ordinances and tax requirements. The program's impact goal is to stimulate economic activity by encouraging businesses to invest in new equipment, thereby enhancing productivity, creating jobs, and contributing to the overall economic vitality of Roanoke County. The program prioritizes the acquisition of new capital that falls under taxable business personal property or business machinery and tools, as defined by the Roanoke County Code. Examples of eligible acquisitions include tangible personal property such as furniture, fixtures, office and business machines, tools, and equipment used in various professions. Computer equipment (excluding software) and machinery and tools used in manufacturing, mining, processing, broadcasting, dry cleaners, commercial laundry, and dairy businesses are also specifically eligible. This focus ensures that funding supports tangible assets that directly contribute to operational improvements and business growth. The expected outcomes of the BEAP Grant include increased capital investment by local businesses, enhanced operational capabilities, and ultimately, job retention and creation within Roanoke County. Measurable results will be tied to the number of grants awarded, the total value of capital acquisitions facilitated, and the subsequent economic impact, such as growth in business personal property tax rolls. By providing financial incentives, the program aims to accelerate the modernization and expansion of local enterprises, reinforcing the Authority's strategic priority of nurturing a robust and competitive business environment through direct support and strategic investment.

The SCIRP CTRA is intended to support high-impact and/or new/emerging clinical research that may not be ready for a larger-scale clinical trial and for which feasibility/pilot/optimization studies are necessary. Projects should demonstrate potential to impact the standard of care, both immediate and long term, or contribute to evidence-based guidelines for the evaluation and care of military Service Members, Veterans, and other individuals living with SCI. The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) is soliciting applications to the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) using delegated authority provided by United States Code, Title 10, Section 4001 (10 USC 4001). The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) is the program management agent for this funding opportunity. Congress initiated the SCIRP in 2009 to provide support for traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI)-related research of exceptional scientific merit that has the potential to make a significant impact on improving the health and well-being of military Service Members, Veterans, and other individuals living with SCI. Appropriations for the SCIRP from FY09 through FY23 totaled $437.85 million (M). The FY24 Defense Appropriations Act provides $40M to the SCIRP through the appropriation for peer-reviewed spinal cord research. The vision of the SCIRP is to advance the treatment and management of SCI and ameliorate its consequences. The FY24 SCIRP challenges the scientific community to design research that will advance the development or translation of health care solutions for people living with SCI. Innovative research that fosters new directions or addresses neglected issues in the field of traumatic SCI is also supported, although studies focused exclusively on target identification are discouraged. The SCIRP encourages impactful research across the continuum of care from time of injury and across the life span that is well reasoned and scientifically supported. Applications from investigators within the military services and applications involving multidisciplinary collaborations among academia, industry, the military services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other federal government agencies are highly encouraged. These relationships can leverage knowledge, infrastructure, and access to unique clinical populations that the collaborators bring to the research effort, ultimately advancing research that is of significance to Service Members, Veterans, their Families and/or care partners.

This grant provides funding for technology demonstrations of non-lithium long-duration energy storage solutions, targeting state energy offices, Indian Tribes, educational institutions, electric utilities, and private energy storage companies to advance these technologies towards commercial viability.

The New Mexico Science & Technology Business Startup Grant, offered by the New Mexico Economic Development Department, is a competitive state-funded initiative designed to foster economic growth and innovation within the state. This grant program aligns with the broader mission of supporting local businesses and technological advancement, aiming to strengthen New Mexico's position in key industry sectors. By providing financial resources to early-stage companies, the program directly contributes to the state's strategic priorities of stimulating research and development and promoting the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies. The target beneficiaries of this grant are New Mexico-based, for-profit science or technology companies, particularly those engaged in research and development with the potential to commercialize their technology. The program specifically assists early-stage companies that are developing unique products and demonstrate strong growth potential. The impact goal is to provide these companies with the necessary resources to develop and commercialize their technology, thereby creating new jobs, diversifying the state's economy, and establishing a robust innovation ecosystem. The grant prioritizes companies operating within specific industry sectors deemed crucial for New Mexico's economic future. These include aerospace, biosciences, advanced computing, intelligent manufacturing, and sustainable and green energy. The focus is on supporting business development expenses, enabling recipients to overcome the financial hurdles often faced in the early stages of commercializing innovative technologies. This strategic focus ensures that the grant funds are directed towards areas with the highest potential for long-term economic benefit and technological leadership. The expected outcomes of the New Mexico Science & Technology Business Startup Grant include the successful commercialization of new technologies, the growth of promising early-stage companies, and the creation of high-value jobs within the state. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the program's theory of change suggests that by investing in innovative science and technology businesses, New Mexico will see an increase in its economic competitiveness and a more resilient, diversified economy. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a dynamic environment where technological advancements can flourish and translate into tangible economic benefits for the state and its residents.

The "Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing in Practice" grant aims to fund research and development projects that create practical, scalable technologies for sharing data in a way that preserves privacy, with a focus on advancing privacy-enhancing technologies for artificial intelligence, developing tools and testbeds for safe data sharing, and promoting the usability and inclusiveness of these solutions.

The Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators (AKCI) is a unique, interactive virtual academy that provides, intensive mentoring, national networking, and a peer group for scientist and clinician junior faculty. The KCRP created the Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators in FY19 to align with several program priorities, which include to build research capacity in kidney cancer; increase collaborations to advance kidney cancer research, and support innovative research conducted by the next generation of kidney cancer scientists and clinicians. The overarching goal of the AKCI is to increase research capacity in kidney cancer through the development of successful, highly productive kidney cancer researchers in a collaborative research and training environment. The AKCI is a virtual career development and research training platform that currently consists of 11 Early-Career Scholars (ECS)/Designated Mentor pairs from different institutions, and one Academy Director. It is expected that six Early-Career Scholars will graduate by the fall of 2025 and four FY23 AKCI Early-Career Scholars/Designated Mentor awards will be made by September 2024. In addition, Academy graduates will continue to participate in the annual Academy meetings. Information about the Academy is available on the KCRP webpage and in the Kidney Cancer Program Booklet at https://cdmrp.health.mil/kcrp. The AKCI leadership team will identify opportunities for engagement with KCRP AKCI Scholars-Designated Mentors and KCRP FY25 (and subsequent year awardees) Postdoctoral and Clinical Fellowship Awardees. The Academy Director and Deputy Director catalyze the growth and professional development of the Early-Career Scholars in collaboration with their Designated Mentors, assess the progress of the ECSs, and facilitate communication and collaboration among all of the Academy members. The AKCI leadership team will also identify and offer opportunities for engagement (e.g., invitations to seminar series and in-person meetings) with FY24 Postdoctoral and Clinical Fellowship Awardees with FY24 KCRP AKCI-ECS-Designated Mentors (and subsequent year awardees). This FY24 funding opportunity is soliciting applications for an Academy Director (Principal Investigator [PI]) and Deputy Director (Partnering PI) to lead the AKCI. The newly selected FY24 Academy Director and Deputy Director will initiate their responsibilities no later than October 2025. The Academy Director and Deputy Director (hereafter referred to as Academy Leadership) must be established kidney cancer researchers and can be at different institutions. The Academy Leadership must demonstrate a strong record of mentoring and training early career investigators, a commitment to leadership, the ability to articulate methods toward research collaborations, and the ability to objectively assess the progress of all Scholars with their Designated Mentors in the AKCI. Other objectives will include execution of research that will engage AKCI FY24 Scholars (including subsequent-year Scholars), develop tools for Scholars to enable success, and provide opportunities to broaden their knowledge in kidney and renal pelvis cancers. The leadership team will identify and offer occasion(s) for the AKCI to network with KCRP FY24 Postdoctoral and Clinical Fellowship Awardees (and subsequent year awardees). Designated Mentors on FY24 KCRP AKCI Early-Career Scholar Award applications and Designated Mentors on open FY19 through FY23 KCRP AKCI Early-Career Scholar Awards (with the exception of those graduating in 2024) are not eligible to apply for this award. Note: An invited oral presentation is a requirement for application review of the KCRP AKCI LA, as described in Section II.D.2.b.iv, Additional Application Components. Responsibilities of the Academy Leadership include, but are not limited to: Act as a resource for all Scholars and Designated Mentors in the Academy over the Scholars 4-year period of performance. Facilitate communication and collaboration among all Scholars and Designated Mentors (including periodic interactive communication among all Academy members). Develop assessment criteria to evaluate the research progress made by all Scholars, as well as their career progression and sustainment as independent investigators in kidney cancer research. Conduct collaborative kidney cancer pilot project(s) that include Academy Scholars. These pilot projects should have the potential to improve collaboration within the Academy, as well as impact kidney cancer research and/or kidney cancer patients/survivors. o Examples of pilot research projects may include but are not limited to (a) funding an extended statistical or bioinformatics analysis with AKCI Scholars, (b) performing a large-scale meta-analysis of human or animal datasets with AKCI scholars, (c) provide access to critical biorepositories or animal models to expand AKCI investigator analyses or increase study rigor. Provide constructive critiques with the goal of advancing the research and professional careers of the Scholars and strengthening the mentorship of the Designated Mentors. Provide avenues to increase the promotion of the Academy and visibility of Scholars within kidney cancer research and advocacy communities (e.g., peer review, conferences, editorial boards). Support the professional development, to include laboratory management skills, of the Scholars into leading researchers through invited presentations by experts outside of the AKCI LA. Plan and host an annual 1-day workshop and, biennially, a multi-day workshop for all Scholars/Designated Mentor pairs as well as Academy graduates to present their research, share knowledge, and develop collaborative efforts within the AKCI. Scholars will be responsible for their own travel costs to in-person Academy meetings. Include KCRP FY24 Postdoctoral and Clinical Fellowship Awardees in at least one meeting of the FY24 AKCI. These investigators will be responsible for their own travel costs, funds for which are included in their research awards. Establish a panel of patient advocates and Veteran(s) (i.e., the Patient Advocacy Panel) to inform the AKCI on the needs of the patient community. Establish the Designated Mentor Panel to facilitate collaborations among the AKCI participants including the Scholars, Academy Director/Deputy Director, and the Designated Mentors. The Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators Leadership Award is structured to support two PIs. The Academy Director will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. The Deputy Director will be identified as the Partnering PI. The collaboration between the Academy Director and the Deputy Director should be supported by complementary expertise and experience. Initiating and Partnering PIs each have different submission requirements, as described in Section II.D.2, Content and Form of the Application Submission; however, both PIs should contribute significantly to the development of the proposed research project. The application should clearly demonstrate that both PIs have equal levels of input on the proposed Academy Leadership and clearly define the components to be addressed by each to support the success of the Scholars. While it is up to the Academy Director and the Deputy Director to define their roles, both Academy Leaders should have interactions with each Scholar-Designated Mentor pair, (and the Scholars Designated Mentors); acting as administrative support does not fulfill the intent of the Director and Deputy Director. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on separate awards to the recipient organization(s). Each award will be subject to separate reporting, regulatory, and administrative requirements. For individual submission requirements for the Initiating and Partnering PI(s), refer to Section II.D.2, Content and Form of the Application Submission. Organizational-Level Emphasis: The following areas of emphasis are broadly applicable to many CDMRP programs, not just the KCRP. Investigators are encouraged to consider addressing these areas in their applications if doing so is appropriate for their line of research, addresses the FY24 KCRP strategic priorities and/focus areas described in Section II.A.1 and Section II.A.2. Nuclear Medicine: Innovative research involving nuclear medicine and related techniques to support early diagnosis, more effective treatment, and improved health outcomes of active-duty Service Members and their Families is encouraged. Such research could improve diagnostic and targeted treatment capabilities through noninvasive techniques and may drive the development of precision imaging and advanced targeted therapies. Womens Health: CDMRP encourages research on health areas and conditions that affect women uniquely, disproportionately, or differently from men, including studies analyzing sex as a biological variable. Such research should relate anticipated project findings to improvements in womens health outcomes and/or advancing knowledge for womens health. Metastatic Cancer Task Force: A congressionally mandated Metastatic Cancer Task Force was formed with the purpose of identifying ways to help accelerate clinical and translational research aimed at extending the lives of advanced state and recurrent patients. As a member of the Metastatic Cancer Task Force, CDMRP encourages applicants to review the recommendations (https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Congressional-Testimonies/2018/05/03/Metastatic-Cancer-Research) and submit research ideas to address these recommendations provided they are within the limitations of this funding opportunity and fit within the FY24 KCRP priorities. Rigorous Study Design: All projects should adhere to a core set of standards for rigorous study design and reporting to maximize the reproducibility and translational potential of clinical and preclinical research. The standards are described in SC Landis et al., 2012, A call for transparent reporting to optimize the predictive value of preclinical research, Nature 490:187-191 (https://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v490/n7419/full/nature11556.html). While these standards are written for preclinical studies, the basic principles of randomization, blinding, sample-size estimation, and data handling derive from well-established best practices in clinical studies. Military Service Involvement: Applications from investigators within the military services and applications involving multidisciplinary collaborations among academia, industry, the military services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other federal government agencies are highly encouraged. These relationships can leverage knowledge, infrastructure, and access to unique clinical populations that the collaborators bring to the research effort, ultimately advancing research that is of significance to Service Members, Veterans, and/or their Families. If the proposed research relies on access to unique resources or databases, the application must describe the access at the time of submission and include a plan for maintaining access as needed throughout the proposed research. Clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity. A clinical trial is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Part 46.102 (45 CFR 46.102) as a research study in which one or more human subjects are prospectively assigned to one or more interventions (which may include a placebo or another control) to evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or behavioral health-related outcomes. Studies that do not seek to measure safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy outcome(s) of an intervention are not considered clinical trials. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, research that meets the definition of a clinical trial is distinct from clinical research. Clinical research encompasses research with human data, human specimens, and/or interaction with human subjects. Clinical research is observational in nature and includes: (1) Research conducted with human subjects and/or material of human origin such as data, specimens, and cognitive phenomena for which an investigator (or co-investigator) does not seek to assess the safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy outcomes of an intervention. Research meeting this definition may include but is not limited to: (a) mechanisms of human disease, (b) diagnostic or detection studies (e.g., biomarker or imaging), (c) health disparity studies, and (d) development of new technologies. (2) Epidemiologic and behavioral studies that do not seek to assess the safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy outcomes of an intervention. (3) Outcomes research and health services research that do not fit under the definition of clinical trial. Excluded from the definition of clinical research are in vitro studies that utilize human data or specimens that cannot be linked to a living individual and meet the requirements for exemption under 46.104(d)(4) of the Common Rule. The funding instrument for awards made under the program announcement will be cooperative agreements (31 USC 6305). Substantial CDMRP programmatic involvement with recipients is anticipated during the performance of award activities. Substantial involvement means that, after award, CDMRP staff will assist, guide, coordinate, or participate in project activities including but not limited to: Participating in the Steering Committee that oversees study conduct. Make recommendations for continued funding based on (a) overall study progress, including sufficient patient and/or data accrual; (b) cooperation in carrying out the research (e.g., attendance at Steering Committee meetings, implementation of group decisions, compliance with the terms of award and reporting requirements); and/or (c) maintenance of a high quality of research. The anticipated combined direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for a FY24 KCRP AKCI LA should not exceed $1,500,000. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information. Awards supported with FY24 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2025. The CDMRP expects to allot approximately $2.4M to fund approximately one KCRP Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigator Leadership Award application (consisting of an Initiating PI application and a Partnering PI application). Funding of applications received is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program, the number of applications received, the quality and merit of the applications as evaluated by peer and programmatic review, and the requirements of the government. Funds to be obligated on any award resulting from this funding opportunity will be available for use for a limited time period based on the fiscal year of the funds. It is anticipated that awards made from this FY24 funding opportunity will be funded with FY24 and FY26 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2030, and September 30, 2032, respectively.

The IDEA Fund program is a state-sponsored venture capital initiative that utilizes public funding (both state and federal) to drive economic development within the state. The primary focus of this program is to foster innovation and support technology-driven entrepreneurial endeavors that contribute to the state’s overall economic development growth. MTC’s Venture Capital Program was created to accelerate private venture capital investment in Missouri-based start-up companies and to increase the overall investment impact of third-party investments. The Venture Capital Program supports technology startups through matching equity or convertible debt investments up to $2,000,000 for the purpose of scaling the business to attract additional venture capital. Since 2010, MTC has invested over $49 million in more than 150 early-stage Missouri-based high-growth technology-focused companies. Since 2018, our portfolio companies have gone on to raise over $1.6 billion in additional private capital.