This monthly round-up features funding opportunities compiled by the Research Development team in the Office of Research. For a more comprehensive listing of opportunities, we encourage researchers to use the Pivot-RP database.

Questions or feedback? Email research@bu.edu.

Grant Spotlight

National Science Foundation Translation to Practice Programs (9/16)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) has released a solicitation for its new Translation to Practice (TTP) program. TTP aims to identify and support translational research, develop partnerships between higher education and industry, government, open-source ecosystems, and other entities to advance STEM education and training for all Americans, especially students and postdoctoral researchers. The NSF TTP program has three funding tracks: TTP-Explore, TTP-Translate, and TTP-Partner. More information about each can be found on the Office of Research website.

Interested investigators should reach out to Lloyd Munjanja in Research Development for help in proposal development and Industry Engagement for help in securing an industry partner. The first submission deadline is Tuesday, September 16.

Limited Submissions

STEM

NSF Test Bed: Toward a Network of Programmable Cloud Laboratories (9/8)

Funding to establish and support distributed autonomous laboratory facilities focused on developing consistent practices for collecting, sharing, and exploiting AI methods. Apply by Monday, September 8 via InfoReady Review.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers Program (9/12)

Up to $850k per year for four years to support interdisciplinary collaboration and advance environmental health research. Apply by Friday, September 12 via InfoReady Review.

MED/STEM

National Institute of General Medical Sciences Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (9/16)

Up to $7.5M over five years to support highly integrated research teams of three to six principal investigators. Apply by Tuesday, September 16 via InfoReady Review.

HUM/SOC

Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program 2026 (9/15)

$200k for up to two years of research focused on political polarization in the US. Apply by Monday, September 15 via InfoReady Review. 

Limited submissions are funding opportunities that limit the number of applications an institution may put forward. Faculty may not apply directly for an opportunity without institutional endorsement. All current competitions can be found at bu.infoready4.com.

Other Upcoming Deadlines

Grants – Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Grants – Medicine & Related
Grants – STEM
Grants – Doctoral & Postdoctoral
Nomination Opportunities
  • Dan David Prize for history, archeology, digital humanities, and human paleontology (9/24)

Reach out to the Foundation Relations team member for your academic unit and Industry Engagement for support with foundation and industry opportunities, respectively. All proposals for external funding must be submitted to Sponsored Programs at least five business days before the sponsor deadline.

Events & Updates

Navigating NIH’s Simplified Review Framework: Insights from Recent Reviewers (9/4)

Join the Proposal Development Office for a virtual panel discussion featuring faculty who served as reviewers in the latest NIH Simplified Review Framework cycle (May 2025). Hear firsthand experiences, ask questions, and walk away with practical tips to help you adapt your proposal submissions for upcoming funding opportunities. This program is open to faculty and postdocs from the medical and Charles River campuses. Register on the Proposal Development website.

Meet the Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (10/1)

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute PCORI funds patient-centered comparative effectiveness research that typically compares two evidence-based interventions with large participant groups and meaningful stakeholder engagement as well as other types of projects. The overarching goal of work supported by PCORI is to help patients and providers make more informed healthcare decisions. PCORI makes grants of up to $12M and pays an additional 40% in indirect costs. Program Officer Mandy Rounds, PhD, will be joining a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, October 1 at 12 pm to present PCORI’s priorities, processes, and research expectations. Register here. 

News & Resources

Information & Updates on Federal Actions

The Office of Research has created a page of resources, updates, and frequently asked questions about the latest developments impacting federal funding. As of now, research should continue as planned. The University will continue to monitor and share information relevant to researchers on that webpage. If you have specific questions, the Sponsored Programs office (ospera@bu.edu) remains the best point of contact for award-specific questions.

Foundation Funding Tables

BU Foundation Relations now compiles foundation grants by category, including neuroscience; education; diversity, equity, and inclusion; environment and sustainability; biomedical and life sciences; and more.

Federal Grant Opportunities

BU Federal Relations has curated primers of federal grant opportunities on their website, including programs equipment and infrastructure, behavioral and social sciences, arts, and humanities, and tips for meeting with federal agencies (Kerberos login required).

BU Proposal Library

The Office of Research curates a proposal library, organized by funder and grant component, as a resource for researchers preparing grant applications. We are currently seeking successful faculty proposals to the following funders:

  • Carnegie Corporation
  • Ford Foundation
  • Gates Foundation
  • Schmidt Futures
  • Simons Foundation
  • Spencer Foundation

We are also looking to add successful PhD and postdoc proposals for any grant. Please send your proposals to research@bu.edu.

Pivot-RP Database

BU offers all faculty and staff a free subscription to Pivot-RP, a database updated daily with a wide variety of federal, non-federal, foundation, and private funding opportunities in every discipline. With the BU subscription, members can save search criteria and receive weekly updates on new and upcoming funding opportunities. Learn how to set up your account to get started on the Office of Research website. 

More Funding & Grants

 

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