Federal Science and Technology Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support for educational projects that teach communities about responsible AI use and address water quality issues, targeting local education agencies, nonprofits, and higher education institutions in the U.S. and its territories.

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): (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 cooperative agreements or grants 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 improvements to 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. In 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 better 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. 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 and Carbon Management (https://www.energy.gov/fecm/office-fossil-energy-and-carbon-management), the Office of Nuclear Energy (http://www.energy.gov/ne/office-nuclear-energy), and the Office of Electricity (https://www.energy.gov/oe/office-electricity). SBIR/STTR Program Overview: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are Government-wide programs authorized under Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638). The objectives of the SBIR program are to (1) stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, (2) strengthen the role of Small Business Concerns in meeting Federal R needs, (3) increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R activities, (4) foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned Small Business Concerns, and (5) improve the return on investment from Federally funded research and economic benefits to the Nation. The objective of the STTR program is to stimulate cooperative partnerships of ideas and technologies between Small Business Concerns and partnering Research Institutions through Federally funded R activities. ARPA-E administers a joint SBIR/STTR program in accordance with the Small Business Act and the SBIR and STTR Policy Directive issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). ARPA-E provides SBIR/STTR funding in three phases (Phase I, Phase II, and Phase IIS). Program Overview: The Technologies to Emend and Obviate SYnthetic Nitrogens Toll on Emissions (TEOSYNTE) program aims to lower nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from the cultivation of corn and sorghum used for United States ethanol production by 50%. The program will emphasize plant and microbial bio-design strategies that lower the application of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer on corn and sorghum fields while maintaining crop yields and reducing 50% of N2O emissions. Lowering the requirements of synthetic N fertilizer will also lower costs to farmers, as the cost of fertilizer is a significant portion of the operating expenses of a farm. This program will enable technologies to reduce N fertilizer consumption and N2O emissions. These technologies will transform agriculture and lower the N2O contribution to the carbon intensity (CI) of ethanol produced today for light duty vehicles and in the future for sustainable aviation fuel. Technologies developed under the TEOSYNTE program must achieve specific targets as outlined in Section I.E. in order to meet the programs objectives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and N fertilizer usage over multiple seasons while maintaining crop yields. To view the FOA in its entirety, please visit https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov.

This funding opportunity supports U.S.-based researchers and institutions in advancing space weather science and its operational applications, with a focus on transitioning research findings into practical use.

This grant provides funding to alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in Sudan to implement innovative projects that promote American values and support community development in areas such as culture, media, and technology.

The DoD Bone Marrow Failure, Idea Development Award is a funding opportunity aimed at supporting innovative and scientifically sound research ideas that contribute to understanding and curing bone marrow failure diseases, with a particular emphasis on hypothesis-driven studies linked to clinical trials, open to both established and early-career investigators.

This funding opportunity supports innovative research in microsystems technology, targeting a wide range of applicants including universities, small businesses, and minority institutions, to develop advanced microelectronic systems that enhance U.S. national security.

This grant provides funding to small businesses with prior NSF research support to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative technologies through a streamlined proposal process.

This funding opportunity supports small businesses in developing innovative products and services that improve the health, employment, and community participation of individuals with disabilities.

This grant provides funding to early-career researchers dedicated to innovative breast cancer research, emphasizing transformative approaches and collaboration with breast cancer survivors.

The US Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in Global Food-Security Support-Analysis Data (GFSAD) project. Climate variability and ballooning populations are putting unprecedented pressure on agricultural croplands and their water use, which are vital for ensuring global food and water security in the twenty-first century. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic, military conflicts, and changing diets have added to looming global food insecurity. Therefore, there is a critical need to produce consistent and accurate global cropland products at fine spatial resolution (e.g., farm-scale, 30m or better), which are generated consistently, accurately, and routinely (e.g., every year). In order to address these issues, the proposed study will make use of Landsat-8, 9, and Sentinel-2A&2B surface reflectance products already available in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud, and NASA’s Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) Landsat derived product (HLSL30) for 2013-present and Sentinel-2 derived product (HLSS30) for 2015-present, that together have sub-5-day global coverage at nominal 30m resolution. The four cropland products will be generated using 14 mature MLAs that the team has extensive experience with such as random forest, support vector machines, decision trees, and spectral matching techniques (e.g., Thenkabail et al., 2021, Oliphant et al., 2019, Teluguntla et al., 2018, 2015, Xiong et al., 2017a, Thenkabail et al., 2012, 2009, 2007, 2005) as outlined in the methods section, utilizing GEE and\or other cloud platforms.

This funding opportunity supports U.S. and eligible foreign institutions in developing innovative analysis tools and improving data accessibility for heliophysics research.

The NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), authorized by 15 U.S.C. 278k, is seeking applications from eligible applicants to enter into a cooperative agreement to operate an MEP Center in the State of Florida. The MEP Center will provide manufacturing extension services to small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in the State of Florida. The MEP Center will become part of the MEP National Network, which consists of 51 MEP Centers located in every State and Puerto Rico, and over 1,440 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 460 MEP service locations.

This funding opportunity is designed for partners affiliated with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to advance research on the spatial ecology of large marine vertebrates in the Gulf of Mexico, focusing on data integration and management for conservation and resource management efforts.

Maturing research ideas into clinical practice and patient benefit is at the heart of all CDMRP research programs. Despite significant investment, the gap between what is possible and what is achieved remains. Even after information, tools, and interventions have been successfully evaluated in their intended populations, the development of knowledge to support their broader dissemination and implementation has often remained outside the scope. The FY24 TBIPHRP HSRA intends to bridge the gap between research, practice, and policy by building real-world evidence on how interventions, clinical practices/guidelines, and policies can be deployed to targeted populations at the appropriate time.Research Scope: The FY24 HSRA will fund clinical research (including clinical trials). Preclinical and animal research are prohibited. Prospective or retrospective clinical research or clinical trials involving human subjects, human subject data/records, and human anatomical substances are allowed. Proposed clinical trials should include interventions, clinical practices/guidelines, and policies that are well-supported within the literature and in relevant patient population(s). This award may not be used to support studies requiring an exception from informed consent (EFIC).Key aspects of the FY24 TBIPHRP HSRA: Precision Medicine Approaches: When appropriate, the TBIPHRP encourages the use of precision medicine approaches. These tailored treatments deliver the right treatment at the right time while considering an individuals unique characteristics. Community-Based Participatory Research: The application must include Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approaches in the development and execution of the clinical research/trial. CBPR approaches should be documented in Attachment 8. Preliminary data are required: Inclusion of preliminary data relevant to the proposed clinical research/trial is required. Untested novel interventions are discouraged: Novel interventions that have not been evaluated in the intended population(s) are discouraged. Applicants seeking funding for novel interventions should consider one of the other FY24 TBIPHRP announcements. 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. Studies utilizing human biospecimens or datasets that cannot be linked to a specific individual, gender, ethnicity, or race (typically classified as exempt from Inquiry Review Board [IRB] review) are exempt from this requirement. Clinical Trial Start Date: If applicable, the proposed clinical trial is expected to begin no later than 6 months after the award date. Intervention Availability: If applicable, 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.The FY24 HSRA applications may include (not all inclusive): Research that accelerates the uptake and implementation of evidence-based research into clinical practice. Comparative effectiveness research comparing the benefits and harms of emerging or established interventions and strategies to prevent, diagnose, treat, and monitor health conditions in real-world settings. Development and evaluation of strategies to overcome barriers to the adoption, adaptation, integration, scale-up, and sustainability of evidence-based interventions, tools, policies, and guidelines. Analysis of existing data or resources to inform clinical practice. Modification of established clinical tools for their intended population or environment. Analysis of existing clinical tools to maximize patient-relevant outcomes. Identification and analysis of the circumstances that create a need to stop or reduce (de-implement) the use of interventions, tools, policies, and guidelines that are ineffective, unproven, low-value, or harmful are within scope. Analysis of TBI and/or psychological health outcomes associated with the implementation of clinical practice guidelines, evidence-based practices, and process improvements.Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option: The FY24 TBIPHRP HSRA includes an Early-Career Investigator Partnering Option that is structured to accommodate two Principal Investigators (PIs), one of whom is an Early-Career Investigator. The combined direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance in the applications of the Initiating PI and Partnering PI should not exceed $2.5M. The PIs may have experience in similar or disparate scientific disciplines, but each PI is expected to bring distinct contributions to the application. One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for most of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. The other investigator will be the Partnering PI. At least one of the Initiating or Partnering PIs must be an Early-Career Investigator. The intent is not to create mentor-mentee arrangement. Both PIs should contribute significantly to the development of the proposed research project, including the Project Narrative, Statement of Work (SOW), and other required components. The application is expected to describe how the PIs unique experience/expertise combined as a partnership will better address the research question, how the unique experience/expertise that each individual brings to the application is critical for the research strategy and completion of the SOW, and why the work should be done together rather than through separate efforts. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named to an individual award within the recipient organization(s). For individual FY24 TBIPHRP HSRA submission requirements for the Initiating and Partnering PI, refer to S Section II.D.2, Content and Form of the Application Submission.A clinical trial is defined in 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 more information, a Human Subject Resource Document is provided at https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/pdf/Human%20Subjects%20Resource%20Document.pdf.Clinical trials may be designed to evaluate pharmacologic agents (drugs or biologics), diagnostics, devices, therapies, clinical guidance, behavioral interventions, emerging approaches and technologies, and/or new indications for products currently U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved or -cleared. Interventions that are not FDA-regulated (or international equivalent) are within scope but the regulatory status must be documented in Attachment 12, Regulatory Strategy.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.Multi-Institutional Clinical Research/Trials: As of January 20, 2020, U.S. institutions engaged in non-exempt cooperative research must rely on a single IRB to review and approve the portion of the research conducted at domestic sites (45 CFR 46.114(b)). If the proposed, non-exempt research involves more than one U.S.-based institution, a written plan for single IRB review arrangements must be provided at the time of application submission or award negotiation. The lead institution responsible for developing the master protocol and master consent form should be identified and should be the single point of contact for regulatory submissions and requirements.Communication and data transfer between or among the collaborating institutions, as well as how specimens and/or imaging products obtained during the study will be handled, should be included in the appropriate sections of the application. A separate intellectual and material property plan agreed on by all participating institutions is also required for multi-institutional clinical research/trials.Relevance to Military Health: Relevance to the health care needs of Service Members, their Families, and Veterans is a key feature of this award. Investigators are encouraged to consider the following characteristics as examples of how a project may demonstrate relevance to military health: Explanation of how the project addresses an aspect of psychological health conditions and/or TBI that has direct relevance to the health and/or readiness of Service Members, their Families, and Veterans. Description of how the knowledge, information, products, or technologies gained from the proposed research could be implemented in a dual-use capacity to benefit the civilian population and also address a military need. Use of military or Veteran populations, samples, or datasets in the proposed research, if appropriate.Awards supported with FY24 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2025.The CDMRP expects to allot approximately $15.5M to fund approximately four HSRA applications. 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 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2030.

This grant provides funding for researchers and organizations to analyze data from Mars missions, supporting advancements in our understanding of the planet's geology, climate, and potential for life.

This funding opportunity is designed to support small businesses in developing advanced AI and machine learning technologies that enhance the safety and effectiveness of Army aviation operations in challenging terrain.

This grant provides funding to small businesses, academic institutions, and other eligible organizations to develop innovative technologies for generating electricity from extremely hot geothermal energy sources.

This grant provides funding for researchers studying the physical properties and processes of the Earth, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and the structure of the Earth's interior.

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks to fund proposals for rigorous research and evaluation projects examining the impact of court and other criminal justice tools, practices, and policies on the administration of justice and public safety in state, local, and tribal jurisdictions. In FY2024, the solicitation is focused on four research priorities and their impact on charging, case flow, outcomes, and other prosecution functions: 1) advance prosecution practice and resource management; 2) promote fair prosecution and impartial administration of justice; 3) build prosecution data resources, research capacity, and transparency; and 4) enhance the prosecution workforce and court workgroup.

This funding opportunity supports interdisciplinary research projects that integrate human behavior into epidemiological models, targeting U.S. higher education institutions to improve public health responses based on insights from the COVID-19 pandemic.