Research!America is requesting proposals from graduate student and postdoc-led science policy groups to participate in the third year of our civic engagement initiative begun in 2018. This year, Research!America provides funding to student groups for virtual activities that focus on civic engagement and sparking dialogue with public officials, local community leaders, and the public around science and health research.

We are looking for ideas that can lead to new multi-grant research portfolios on human flourishing. We are particularly interested in ideas for interdisciplinary scientific research towards discoveries that can promote physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. We welcome ideas that bridge gaps between empirical science and the humanities. Such ideas may include (but are not limited to):  Experimental testing of philosophically grounded models of human flourishing; Research on biological complexity in humans, including genetics, epigenetics, and microbiome research; Investigation of key psychological, neuroscientific, or human developmental concepts, such as (but not limited to) altruism, creativity, imagination, narrative, and meta-cognition; Research on cognitive, affective, or social capacities of individuals or groups; Studies of human biological or cultural evolution.

The Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) program of the NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG) serves a critical role in helping ENG focus on important emerging areas in a timely manner. This solicitation is a funding opportunity for interdisciplinary teams of researchers to embark on rapidly advancing frontiers of fundamental engineering research. For this solicitation, we will consider proposals that aim to investigate emerging frontiers in one of the following two research areas: Distributed Chemical Manufacturing (DCheM) Engineering the Elimination of End-of-Life Plastics (E3P) This solicitation will be coordinated with the Directorate for Biological Sciences, the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences and the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences. EFRI seeks proposals with potentially transformative ideas that represent an opportunity for a significant shift in fundamental engineering knowledge with a strong potential for long term impact on national needs or a grand challenge. The proposals must also meet the detailed requirements delineated in this solicitation.

NSF-supported science and engineering research increasingly relies on cutting-edge infrastructure. With its Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program and Major Multi-user Facilities (Major Facilities) projects, NSF supports infrastructure projects at the lower and higher ends of infrastructure scales across science and engineering research disciplines. The Mid-scale Research Infrastructure Big Idea is intended to provide NSF with an agile, Foundation-wide process to fund experimental research capabilities in the mid-scale range between the MRI and Major Facilities thresholds. NSF defines Research Infrastructure (RI) as any combination of facilities, equipment, instrumentation, or computational hardware or software, and the necessary human capital in support of the same. Major facilities and mid-scale projects are subsets of research infrastructure. The NSF Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 Program (Mid-scale RI-1) supports the design or implementation of unique and compelling RI projects. Mid-scale RI-1 implementation projects may include any combination of equipment, instrumentation, cyberinfrastructure, broadly used large-scale datasets, and the commissioning and/or personnel needed to successfully complete the project, or the design efforts intended to lead to eventual implementation of a mid-scale class project. Mid-scale RI-1 design projects will include the design efforts intended to lead to eventual implementation of a mid-scale class RI project. Mid-scale RI-1 projects should fill a research community-defined scientific need or enable a national research priority to be met. Mid-scale RI-projects should also enable US researchers to remain competitive in a global research environment and involve the training of a diverse workforce engaged in the design and implementation of STEM infrastructure.

A. Noam Chomsky Global Connections Awards celebrate the power of human connections. The awards recognize distinguished service to the global mission of the STAR Scholars Network. Several individuals with a deep impact on advancing global, social mobility are recognized every year. We live in a time when innovation and creativity in support of humanity are of great importance. The Star Scholars Network recognizes the commitment of concerned people able and willing to make a difference in the lives of others. Nominations for this award are solicited from around the world. The nominee can be from any field. Beginning in 2020, the Star Scholars Network is committed to promoting transnational research, or collaborative research between scholars of two or more countries (e.g., joint publications, research partnerships, etc.). The Global Connections Awards recognize STAR Scholars for their achievements and distinctive contributions to translational research that demonstrates the very best of scholarly collaboration among scholars around the world. In December 2020, the Star Scholars Network will provide awards in three categories: North Star Medal of Lifetime Achievement, Shining Star Achievement in Research Award, Rising Star Emerging Scholar Certificate

The Hertz Fellowship provides financial and lifelong professional support for the nation's most promising graduate students in science and technology. The fellowship includes up to five years of funding, valued at up to $250,000, and the freedom to pursue innovative projects wherever they may lead. In addition, fellows take part in ongoing mentoring, symposia, and workshops with our vibrant community of more than 1200 fellows, a set of peers who span disciplines, generations, and geography.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award (YFA) program aims to identify and engage rising stars in junior faculty positions in academia and equivalent positions at non-profit research institutions and expose them to Department of Defense (DoD) and National Security challenges and needs. In particular, YFA will provide high-impact funding to elite researchers early in their careers to develop innovative new research directions in the context of enabling transformative DoD capabilities. The long-term goal of the program is to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers in the research community who will focus a significant portion of their future careers on DoD and National Security issues. DARPA is particularly interested in identifying outstanding researchers who have previously not been performers on DARPA programs, but the program is open to all qualified applicants with innovative research ideas.

The Blavatnik National Awards honor America's most innovative young faculty-rank scientists and engineers. These awards celebrate the past accomplishments and future potential of young faculty members working in the three disciplinary categories of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Chemistry. Every year, one Blavatnik National Awards Laureate in each disciplinary category will receive $250,000 in unrestricted funds, and additional nominees will be recognized as Finalists. Nominations are accepted from an invited group of research universities, independent research institutions, academic medical centers, and government laboratories from around the United States, as well as from the Awards' own Scientific Advisory Council, composed of renowned science and technology leaders. Miami University is an invited institution. If you are interested in being nominated, please contact Heather Johnston (johnsthb@MiamiOH.edu) in the Office of Research & Innovation.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) will make strategic investments to support expanded opportunities for students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical (STEMM) fields. The investments will directly impact the ability of the state of Ohio to educate and train students to meet Ohio's career and job opportunities today and tomorrow. Choose Ohio First provides scholarships to students in innovative academic programs developed by Ohio's two-year and four-year, public and private colleges and universities, along with their business partners. The scholarships connect students to work-based learning experiences and careers in STEMM fields in order to recruit and retain these students in Ohio. Choose Ohio First is part of a strategic effort to deepen Ohio's economic strength by increasing the talent pipeline for STEMM-related industries, including computer science, through degree and certificate completion.

Pre-release of the latest topics in the Air Force's SBIR and STTR Commercial Solutions Opening program, which include COVID-19 pandemic materials and manufacturing advances, human performance and medical response advances/solutions and information sciences' advances/solutions

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is sponsoring a Proposers Day webcast to provide information to potential proposers on the objectives of an anticipated Research Announcement (RA) for the Young Faculty Award Program 2021 (YFA 2021) program. The Proposers Day will be held via prerecorded webcast on September 25, 2020 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Advance registration is required for viewing the webcast.

The objectives of the DoD STTR Program include stimulating technological innovation, strengthening the role of small business in meeting DoD research and development needs, fostering and encouraging participation by minority and disadvantaged persons in technological innovation, and increasing the commercial application of DoD-supported research or research and development results. Focus areas: - 5G - AI and ML - Autonomy - Biotechnology - Cybersecurity - Direct Energy - Hypersonics - Microelectronics - Networked Command, Control & Communications - Nuclear - Quantum Science - Space - General Warfighting Requirements

The Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship in Chemical Sciences or Chemical Instrumentation Award Program supports advanced research by postdoctoral scholars within the core areas of fundamental chemistry or the development and build of chemical instrumentation.

NineSigma, representing Betco Corporation, a privately held specialty chemical and equipment manufacturer, is seeking partners with solutions to clean, disinfect, and sanitize skin and surfaces. Novel products, technology advancements, or other approaches that can demonstrate efficacy to improve the overall cleanliness, health, and safety of commercial environments are of immediate interest.

Funding is awarded to universities and institutions nationwide for projects in research that: - Focus on important and emerging areas of research - Have the potential to develop breakthrough technologies, instrumentation or methodologies - Are innovative, distinctive and interdisciplinary - Demonstrate a high level of risk due to unconventional approaches, or by challenging the prevailing paradigm - Have the potential for transformative impact, such as the founding of a new field of research, the enabling of observations not previously possible, or the altered perception of a previously intractable problem - Does not focus on clinical or translational research, treatment trials or research for the sole purpose of drug development - Fall outside the mission of public funding agencies - Demonstrate that private philanthropy generally, and the W. M. Keck Foundation in particular, is essential to the project's success

The Cottrell Scholar Award (CSA) is available to early career faculty at US and Canadian research universities and primarily undergraduate institutions. Eligible applicants are tenure-track faculty who hold primary or courtesy appointments in chemistry, physics, or astronomy departments that offer bachelor's and/or graduate degrees in the applicant's discipline, For the 2020 proposal cycle, eligibility is limited to faculty members who started their first tenure-track appointment anytime in calendar year 2017. Accommodations are made for faculty who have taken maternity or paternity leave, or who have experienced medical conditions that prompted a tenure clock extension.

Join BioOhio and the Columbus chapter of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) for a FREE online event - our second Diversity in Bioscience & Healthcare event of 2020, on August 20 at 5 pm. The engaging discussion focuses on the importance of supporting STEM programming at an early age within under-represented communities to encourage careers within the science and healthcare industries. Our special guests include: Frederic Bertley, Ph.D., President & CEO, COSI Kirsten M. Ellenbogen, Ph.D., President & CEO, Great Lakes Science Center Kelly Lewis, Bioscience Technologies Program Instructor, Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools Lead by the talented Brooke Cartus, Director of Business Development and Senior Facilitator, ImprovEdge! Featuring networking opportunities during the event! This discussion will be held via Zoom. Login instructions are included in your registration confirmation email and reminder emails sent before the event. BioOhio and the Healthcare Business Women's Association (HBA) support all efforts to increase diversity and inclusion within the bioscience and healthcare industries and invite you to join us for our next discussion, Overcoming Obstacles in the Workplace: Making Work Accessible on November 14th, 2020. This event is brought to you by BioOhio in partnership with the Columbus chapter of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) and is made possible by the generous support of BioOhio members AtriCure and BIO.

In 2020, we are offering a series of research grants to stimulate innovative research in challenging areas of future importance. Grants of 100,000 EUR - 500,000 EUR per year for up to 3 years are availabe in the areas of  - Drug discovery  - Bioreactor design for cultured meat - Next generation machine learning - Pandemic preparedness / fighting new emerging viral infectious disease The research grants program is open to scientists in all career stages who are affiliated with any research-based institution, university or company. Applicants submit their application for the focus topics containing non-confidential information only. You may apply for more than one focus topic. If your application is successful, you will be invited to submit a full proposal and join a deep-dive workshop with the other finalists in 2020.   Submissions are accepted from scientists in all countries all over the world. 

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites exploratory/developmental applications that propose transformative engineering solutions to technical challenges associated with meaningful development, substantial optimization of existing technologies and clinical translation of intraoral biodevices. Proposed technologies are expected to advance development of oral biodevices to clinical use, including but not limited to: precision medicine-based detection, diagnosis and treatment of oral and overall health conditions, and measurement of patient functional status and clinical outcome assessment. Areas of interest in this FOA include engineering approaches that allow integration of electronic, physical, and biological systems essential to the development of functional biodevices that are safe and effective for detection, diagnosis and treatment of oral and systemic disease. Products of this research will be proof-of-concept prototype biodevices, dedicated biosensors and associated core technologies that enable development of safe and effective intra-oral biodevices intended for specific clinical applications. To streamline the development of oral biodevices that advance precision medicine-based approaches in clinical practice, this FOA encourages interdisciplinary collaborations across engineering, multifunctional sensors, pharmacology, chemistry, medicine, and dentistry, as well as between academia and industry.

DARPA is soliciting innovative proposals to develop (1) new therapeutics against high-priority bacterial threats that leverage host-driven protein degradation or deactivation pathways; and (2) a platform capability to rapidly develop, screen, and optimize therapeutics against emerging bacterial threats.