Grants for Unrestricted - Science and Technology

This funding opportunity is designed to support a wide range of research and technology development activities in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and multi-domain sensing, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Air Force and its partners.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for research and development projects in the Indo-Pacific region that focus on innovative science and technology relevant to defense applications.

This grant provides funding for U.S. organizations, including small businesses and academic institutions, to develop innovative technologies that ensure secure and resilient hardware and software systems for military and cyber applications.

This program provides financial assistance to public and nonprofit water systems in Georgia for infrastructure projects that improve drinking water quality and safety, particularly for those addressing health violations and emerging contaminants.

This funding opportunity is designed to support research collaborations in the physical, engineering, and life sciences within the Indo-Pacific region, aimed at enhancing scientific and technological capabilities.

The DoD Arthritis Research, Clinical Research Award is a funding opportunity aimed at supporting clinical research that evaluates disease-specific factors and interventions in various types of arthritis, with the goal of optimizing patient outcomes, informing clinical care or policy, and reducing the disease burden, particularly in the context of the military and women's health.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions affiliated with the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to investigate floodplain forest dynamics and regeneration in the Upper Mississippi River System.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for research organizations in California to develop and assess biological control methods for managing the invasive giant cane, which threatens local ecosystems and water resources.

This program provides $30 million in funding to U.S.-based educational institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit companies to develop innovative technologies that improve the stability and reliability of electrical grids as more renewable energy sources are integrated.

The "Request for Information (RFI) Plant Genetic Engineering for Energy Applications" grant by the U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E is seeking feedback from stakeholders to develop a program aimed at improving plant genetic modifications to enhance biofuel production, carbon sequestration, and mineral extraction, with a focus on advancing genetic engineering technologies and overcoming technical challenges.

This grant provides funding to U.S. and eligible foreign entities for developing software solutions that improve wireless supply chains and integration automation, particularly using Open RAN technology in various industries.

Issue Date: February 10, 2023 Amendment Date: February 14, 2023 Response Close Date: March 10, 2023 @ 5pm EST Pre-NOFO Conference Date: March 14-15, 2023 Subject: Request for Information and Pre-Notification of Funding Opportunity Conference Program Title: Ending Neglected Diseases Through Operational Research (ENDOR) Dear Interested Parties: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invites organizations with experience and interest in neglected tropical diseases (NTD) operational research to attend a pre-notification of funding opportunity (NOFO) virtual conference to take place March 14-15, 2023. USAID is seeking information regarding recipient(s) or coalition to support operational research implementation and management worldwide. The activity under design is intended to provide technical assistance, capacity building, global technical leadership, research management and support for development and evaluation of new diagnostics and surveillance platforms and address operational and social challenges of NTD implementation while leveraging the private sector and national health systems where appropriate. There is no eligibility restrictions, so U.S. and non-U.S. organizations may participate in the pre-NOFO conference. Interested organizations MUST pre-register and are limited to registering a maximum of two people per organization to attend the pre-NOFO conference which will be highly technical in content. Please pre-register by sending the organizations name, name(s) of attendees, and email address(es) to ENDOR@usaid.gov. Please include RSVP PRE-NOFO ENDOR CONFERENCE in the Subject Line. Attachment 1 to this announcement is a draft Program Description (PD) for the anticipated award, for which USAID is seeking input and feedback. If possible, please provide emailed responses specific to the questions in Attachment 2 as well as any questions and/or comments to the PD. All questions/responses must be sent to ENDOR@usaid.gov by Friday, March 10, 2023 at 5pm EST. Please include ENDOR PD COMMENT in the Subject Line. Responses from questions posed to USAID will be posted publicly after the pre-NOFO conference in March 2023 on Grants.gov. Meeting details and virtual connection information will be emailed to those who pre-register. If individuals need to call-in by phone rather than connect by virtual platform, please note this on your pre-registration RSVP email so that additional information can be provided when meeting details are sent. Attachment 3 to this announcement is also a draft agenda for the pre-NOFO conference, a final agenda will be provided when final meeting details are sent. For any other questions, contact ENDOR@usaid.gov by indicating QUESTION: ENDOR PRE-NOFO CONFERENCE in the Subject Line. This RFI and pre-NOFO conference is solely for information, research, and planning purposes and does not constitute a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Responding to this RFI and/or attending the pre-NOFO conference does not give any advantage to or preclude any organization or individual in any subsequently issued NOFO. Any future development activities related to this activity will be announced separately on Grants.gov. This RFI and the subsequent pre-NOFO conference does not represent any award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it obligate the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of any responses. Information received as part of this RFI shall become the property of USAID. Therefore, proprietary information that cannot be shared should not be sent. While verbatim responses will not be shared publicly, any submitted information may be included in a publicly available high-level summary of the RFI results, or in other public presentations or documents. Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

The FY24 ALSRP Therapeutic Idea Award (TIA) supports new, innovative, high-risk, high-gain ideas aimed at Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) drug or therapy discovery. The studies supported by this award mechanism are expected to be hypothesis-driven and generate preliminary data for future avenues of therapeutic investigation. Projects that focus primarily on pathophysiology of ALS without development of a therapy are outside the scope of this funding opportunity.Applications may demonstrate the ability to achieve interpretable results in the absence of preliminary data supporting the hypothesis. While the inclusion of preliminary data is not prohibited, the strength of the application should rely on the approach.The key elements of this award mechanism are:Innovation: Research deemed innovative may introduce a new paradigm, challenge current paradigms, introduce novel concepts or technologies, or exhibit other uniquely creative qualities that may lead to potential therapeutics for ALS.Impact: The FY24 TIA can be for a specific ALS subtype and does not have to broadly apply to all patients. Research should be non-incremental and pioneer transformative results that could lay the foundation for a new direction in the field of ALS therapy development. Incremental research does not meet the intent of this funding opportunity.Strong Scientific Rationale: Projects that address in the intent of the mechanism should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale that holds translational potential to improve ALS treatment and/or advance a novel treatment modality.Biomarkers: Applicants are required to include consideration to biomarker(s) development in parallel with their proposed Therapeutic Idea Award research for eventual clinical trials. Efforts should be mechanism-specific and may include development of target engagement biomarkers, objective pharmacodynamic biomarkers to measure the biological effect of an investigational therapeutic, or predictive/cohort-selective biomarkers that indicate whether a specific therapy will be effective in an individual patient or patient subgroup, including pre-symptomatic gene carriers. Development of markers for the purposes of diagnosis, prognosis, or measurement of disease progression apart from consideration of the therapeutic development process will not be supported and instead investigators should consider the Clinical Outcomes and Biomarkers Award (HT942524ALSRPCOBA).

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions and organizations affiliated with the Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit to investigate remote sensing techniques for monitoring dissolved organic matter in water, ultimately improving water quality management across the United States.

This funding opportunity is designed for partners within the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to support research on climate-driven range shifts by providing training, facilitating workshops, and conducting data synthesis efforts.

U.S. Embassy Bern invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Switzerland or Liechtenstein through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation and dialogue. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with (a) U.S. expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. The PDS Small Grants Program is open to applications from Swiss, Liechtenstein, and U.S. organizations and individuals. We especially encourage and will prioritize applications from alumni of U.S. State Department Exchange Programs who are residents of Switzerland or Liechtenstein. Priority Program Areas: 1. Recognizing and countering disinformation and misinformation 2. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, with a special focus on: 2.1. Women and girls, in all their diversity, in STEAM fields 2. 2.Increasing visibility, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of underrepresented groups in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, including immigrants, migrants, refugees, and asylees 3. Promoting mobility and knowledge transfer of apprenticeships between Switzerland/Liechtenstein and the United States 4. Strengthening entrepreneurship and economic collaboration between the United States and Switzerland with an emphasis on emerging and women entrepreneurs and business students Participants and Audiences: 1. Swiss and Liechtenstein residents 2. Underrepresented groups 3. Swiss and Liechtenstein youth aged 16 to 25 4. Emerging and established professionals and leaders in the priority program areas mentioned above Applicants should read the full description of the statement, attached here or on our website: https://ch.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/proposals/

This funding opportunity is designed for partners affiliated with the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to conduct research on drought conditions and sagebrush habitat resilience in dryland ecosystems.

This grant invites organizations and companies to collaborate on innovative health solutions aimed at reducing disease and mortality rates in low-and-middle-income countries.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions affiliated with the Southern Appalachian Mountains CESU to study climate adaptation in oak-dominated ecosystems and their impact on wildlife, with a focus on species distribution and resource management.

The FY24 ALSRP Pilot Clinical Trial Award supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of ALS. Projects may range from phase 1 to small-scale phase 2 trials and should aim to de-risk and inform the design of more advanced trials by investigating safety, feasibility, biomarker application, and therapeutic efficacy in relevant patient populations. Clinical trials may be designed to evaluate promising drugs, biologics, or devices with anticipated therapeutic impact that is supported by strong scientific rationale and existing preliminary studies and/or preclinical data. Clinical trials aimed to improve aspects of patient care and ALS symptom management are also applicable to this award mechanism.Funding from this award mechanism must support a clinical trial. A clinical trial is defined as a research study in which one or more study participants 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. For more information, a Human Subject Resource Document is provided at https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/pdf/Human%20Subjects%20Resource%20Document_DEC2022.pdf. Principal Investigators (PIs) seeking funding for a preclinical research project should consider one of the other FY24 ALSRP program announcements being offered. Studies that do not seek to measure safety, effectiveness, and/or efficacy outcome(s) of an intervention are not considered clinical trials.Projects proposing a therapeutic intervention (drug, biologic, and/or device) must incorporate biomarkers specific to the intervention into the trial design. Applicants must clearly describe a biomarker-driven approach and its potential to de-risk and improve the design of anticipated later-stage trials. For further description, see Attachment 13, Biomarker Statement. Biomarker development and characterization can include target engagement biomarkers, pharmacodynamic biomarkers to measure the biological effect of an investigational therapeutic, and/or predictive/cohort-selective biomarkers that indicate whether a specific therapy will be effective in an individual patient or patient subgroup.Key aspects of the FY24 ALSRP Pilot Clinical Trial Award mechanism include:Impact: Potential impact from a pilot clinical trial is not whether an intervention is ready at the conclusion of the trial, but rather if the outcomes will improve and accelerate future larger trials or clinical care and symptom management. Applications submitted to this award can have outcomes that focus on specific subpopulations of ALS patients or potentially even individual patients.Biomarker-Driven Interventions: Therapeutic outcomes should directly and substantially de-risk and inform the design of anticipated later-phase trials of the intervention under investigation.Clinical Care: Improving aspects of clinical care and symptom management should have near-term impact on patients. All interventions must offer significant potential impact for individuals affected by ALS; however, this may include just specific subpopulations or potentially even individual patients.Employing Community Collaborations to Optimize Research Impact Is Required. Research funded by the FY24 ALSRP Pilot Clinical Trial Award should be responsive to the needs of people with ALS, their families, and/or their care partners. Research teams are therefore required to establish and utilize effective and equitable collaborations and partnerships with Community members to maximize impact potential of the proposed research. These collaborations are expected to facilitate accessible, efficient, and humane clinical trials. Applications to the FY24 ALSRP Pilot Clinical Trial Award must name at least one Community partner (e.g., person with ALS, family member and/or caregiver, representative of a community-based organization) who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project. Scientific researchers and Community members will collaborate and contribute equitably on all aspects of the project, which may include needs assessment, planning, research intervention design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. Interactions with other team members should be well integrated and ongoing, not limited to attending seminars and semi-annual meetings. Examples for implementing collaborative research approaches include:Person Living with ALS, Family Member, and/or Caregiver: The research team includes a person with ALS, their family member, or caregiver (past or present) as a project advisor who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.Partnership with a Community-Based Organization: The research team establishes partnerships with at least one Community-based organization that provides advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project. Community-based organizations may include advocacy groups, service providers, policymakers, or other formal organizational stakeholders.Community Advisory Board: A Community advisory board is composed of multiple Community stakeholders and can take many forms, from a board of people with ALS, their family members, or caregivers to a coalition of Community-based organizations or any combination thereof. As with people living with ALS and organizational partners, the Community advisory board provides advice and consultation throughout planning and implementation of the research project.Clinical Trial Start Date and Intervention Availability: The proposed clinical trial is expected to begin no later than 12 months after the award date or 18 months after the award date for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated studies. The application should demonstrate the documented availability of and access to the drug/compound, device, and/or other materials needed, as appropriate, for the proposed duration of the study.Study Population: The application should demonstrate the availability of and access to a suitable patient population that will support a meaningful outcome for the study. The application should include a discussion of how accrual goals will be achieved, as well as the strategy for inclusion of women and minorities in the clinical trial appropriate to the objectives of the study.Research Personnel and Environment: The application should demonstrate the study teams expertise and experience in all aspects of conducting clinical trials, including appropriate statistical analysis, knowledge of FDA processes (if applicable), and data management. The application should include a study coordinator(s) who will guide the clinical protocol through the local Institutional Review Board (IRB) of record and other federal agency regulatory approval processes, coordinate activities from all sites participating in the trial, and coordinate participant accrual. The application should show strong institutional support and, if applicable, a commitment to serve as the FDA regulatory sponsor, ensuring all sponsor responsibilities described in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Part 312 (21 CFR 312), Subpart D, are fulfilled.Statistical Analysis and Data Management Plans: The application should include a clearly articulated statistical analysis plan, a power analysis reflecting sample size projection that will answer the objectives of the study, and a data management plan that includes use of an appropriate database to safeguard and maintain the integrity of the data. If FDA-regulated, the trial must use a 21 CFR 11-compliant database and appropriate data standards. For more on data standards, see https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/ FormsSubmissionRequirements/ElectronicSubmissions/UCM511237.pdf.Transition Plan: Applications should include a transition plan (including potential funding and resources) showing how the intervention will progress to the next clinical trial phase and/or improve current standards of care after the successful completion of the FY24 ALSRP Pilot Clinical Trial Award.Milestone meeting: The Principal Investigator (PI) will be required to present an update on progress toward accomplishing the goals of the award at annual, virtual In Progress Review meetings to be held during the period of performance. The PI should ideally include their Community collaboration partner(s) in the meeting. The In Progress Review Meeting will be attended by members of the ALSRP Programmatic Panel, CDMRP staff, the USAMRAA Grants/Contracts Officer, and other stakeholders.