Faculty Research Opportunities

Deadline(s): You may submit proposals at any time; however, some research topic instructions may recommend submission by specific dates—see BAA for details.

View AFSOR BAA

AFOSR plans, coordinates, and executes the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) basic research program in response to technical guidance from AFRL and requirements of the Air Force. Additionally, the office fosters, supports, and conducts research within Air Force, university, and industry laboratories; and ensures transition of research results to support U.S. Air Force needs. AFOSR research areas are organized and managed in four scientific divisions: Engineering and Complex Systems; Information and Networks; Physical Sciences; Chemistry and Biological Sciences. See also About AFOSR

Proposers' Day Event: November 13, 2025, Hybrid in Washington, DC
Solution Summary Due: December 19, 2025 (required)
Full Proposal Due: February 27, 2026

View GIVE Solicitation

The GIVE program aims to enable a multi-site, multi-product, and multi-scale biomanufacturing network. The goal of the program is to develop reliable, simple to use, distributed manufacturing and quality control platforms for RNA-based genetic medicines. GIVE’s two focus areas include advanced technologies for automated RNA manufacturing and integrated quality control platforms. Prospective performers are encouraged to form teams with varied technical expertise to submit a research proposal.

Proposers' Day Event: View Recording
Solution Summary Due: October 31, 2025 (Required)
Full Proposal Due: December 19, 2025

View THRIVE Solicitation

The THRIVE program intends to develop pioneering integrated platform technologies to accelerate precision genetic medicines (PGMs) and provide single-intervention precision treatments to slow, reverse, or prevent chronic diseases at the genetic level. Initial R&D will focus on platforms that combine "cargo" tools to correct underlying mutations with "delivery" tools that can shepherd this preferentially to relevant cells in the body. Thrive also aims to accelerate ongoing regulatory innovation for platform approvals, set critical precedents, and determine appropriate standards and references. This includes streamlined clinical trials mechanisms with virtually networked expertise. Prospective performers are encouraged to form teams with varied technical expertise to submit a proposal.

Deadline(s): Varies by division. Continuation of solicitation until September 30, 2026

View DOE's Office of Science Open Call 

This broad solicitation, covering topics that fall outside of specific SC NOFOs issued in FY25, supports work in all SC major program areas/divisions—including Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Biological and Environmental Research, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, Isotope R&D and Production, and Accelerator R&D and Production. This Open Call reflects updated, current programmatic emphases and topics being de-emphasized for support. 

Note that many divisions have specific requirements and earlier application dates. 
See also Oct. 1 presentation slides (PDF).

Deadline(s): Open August 5 - November 21, 2025 

The MLSC 2035 Fund is a bold new initiative to power the next generation of life sciences innovation designed to accelerate cutting-edge research through partnerships, foster translation from lab to impact, and close critical infrastructure gaps in Massachusetts. It inclusive of several programmatic initiatives:

• Accelerating Research through Collaboration (ARC) Awards: Supports work that bridges basic science and real-world application, moving discoveries toward clinical, commercial, or societal impact.
• Research Infrastructure and Equipment: (*Tufts Limited Submissions) Grants to support the life sciences ecosystem through the purchase of cutting-edge research equipment available to researchers across the Commonwealth
• Biobank: Breaking barriers by establishing a disease-specific (Year 1: colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease), accessible biobank driven by ecosystem feedback and need.
• Frontiers Fund: Supporting high-risk translational research in specific areas with urgent healthcare challenges historically overlooked in value-based investing.
• Women’s Health Initiative: Designed to close critical gaps in scientific understanding and clinical care for two of the most pressing and under-researched conditions affecting women: Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Perimenopause/Menopause

Virtual info sessions available: Aug. 26, 10-11 am; Sept. 22, 2-3 pm; Oct. 23, 11 am-12 pm. See MLSC for registration and details

Deadline(s): New or Resubmit Proposal: February 02, 2026, by 5:00 PM (Next cycles in October 2026 and June 2027)

View PAR-25-210 (R33) 
View PAR-25-211 (R62/R33) 

The purpose of these NOFOs is intended to support innovative mechanistic research for characterization of person-specific features affecting probiotic responses to identify subgroups of probiotic responders and enhance probiotic health outcomes, enabling precision medicine.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnership (TIP) Directorate is collecting comments on the establishment of a new Breakthrough Innovation Initiative Application process. The goal of this effort is to enable researchers to apply “unconventional approaches to create game-changing technologies and translate discoveries into tangible applications and products.”

This approach is modeled on the German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation (SPRIND) Challenge system that aims to accelerate timelines and emphasize the translation of high-risk, high-reward ideas. The new process will help teams advance research around NSF-defined topics through a process that includes a streamlined application form, submission portal, and selection process, as well as technical assistance provided by the agency to meet various milestones. 

The new streamlined application will collect basic applicant information and require just three main components: a 2,000-word technical description that will include an explanation on how teams will achieve challenge goals and milestones, how their work could be integrated into downstream processes, a description of preliminary work that has been completed, and the technology’s maturity level; a 1,000-word work plan covering timeline, budget, personnel, and infrastructure; and a 500-word team expertise summary. Applications will also include standard foreign influence disclosure requirements regarding talent recruitment programs and foreign funding sources.

NSF cites remarks by Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Michael Kratsois at the Endless Frontier Retreat as a reason behind the new effort to pilot a “novel, fast, and flexible funding mechanism.” 

Comments are due on September 2, 2025. Additional information, including the full announcement, contact information, and submission instructions can be found in the Federal Register notice.

Target dates, Full Proposal September 11, 2025, February 5, 2026

View NSF 25-543

CISE Future CoRe supports research and education projects that develop new knowledge in all aspects of computing, communications, and information science and engineering through the following programs: 

• Algorithmic Foundations (AF) program;
• Communications and Information Foundations (CIF) program;
• Computer Systems Research (CSR) program;
• Computing Education Research (CER) program;
• Cyber-Physical System Foundations and Connected Communities (CPS) program;
• Foundations of Emerging Technologies (FET) program;
• Human-Centered Computing (HCC) program;
• Information Integration and Informatics (III) program;
• Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program;
• Robust Intelligence (RI) program; and
• Software and Hardware Foundations (SHF) program;

Note that the latest solicitation replaced CISE Core, and it replaces Medium and Small project classes with a single project class with a maximum budget of up to $1,000,000 and a duration of up to 4 years. 

Deadline: Full Proposal March 2, 2026 

View NSF 25-509

This program supports truly integrative research projects in mathematical biology that address challenging and significant biological questions through novel applications of traditional, but nontrivial, mathematical tools and methods or the development of new mathematical theories particularly from foundational mathematics, including the mathematical foundation of Artificial Intelligence/Deep Learning/Machine Learning (AI/DL/ML) enabling explainable AI or mechanistic insight. The program emphasizes the uses of mathematical methodologies to advance our understanding of complex, dynamic, and heterogenous biological systems at all scales (molecular, cellular, organismal, population, ecosystems, evolutionary, etc.). Per the webinar, new statistical modeling / ML methods do count as “new mathematical methodology ” if there is a significant component on foundational mathematics.

Deadline Full Proposal: May 4, 2026

View NSF 24-561 

Supports interdisciplinary research projects that explore the mathematical and engineering foundations behind the development and use of digital twins in biomedical and healthcare applications. The FDT-BioTech program supports inherently interdisciplinary research projects that underpin the mathematical and engineering foundations behind the development and use of digital twins and synthetic data in biomedical and healthcare applications, with a particular focus on digital, in silico models used in the evaluation of medical devices and the relevance of the developed models in addressing current and emerging  challenges affecting the development and assessment of biomedical technologies. The goal of the FDT-BioTech initiative is to catalyze biomedical technological innovation through new foundational development of methods and algorithms relevant to digital twins and synthetic humans.

Deadline(s): Full Proposal October 10, 2025 by 5 PM

View NSF 24-569

The National Science Foundation Directorates for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Engineering (ENG), and Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) will jointly sponsor research collaborations consisting of mathematicians, statisticians, computer scientists, engineers, and social and behavioral scientists focused on the mathematical and theoretical foundations of AI. Research activities should focus on the most challenging mathematical and theoretical questions aimed at understanding the capabilities, limitations, and emerging properties of AI methods as well as the development of novel, and mathematically grounded, design and analysis principles for the current and next generation of AI approaches. 

Deadline: Proposal window open February 1 - March 2, 2026

View NSF 22-603

The MCA program offers an opportunity for scientists and engineers at the mid-career stage (Associate Professor or equivalent rank for at least 3 years—see Additional Eligibility Information) to substantively enhance and advance their research program and career trajectory through partnerships. Mid-career scientists are at a critical career transition stage where they need to advance their research programs to ensure long-term productivity and creativity but are often constrained by service, teaching, or other activities that limit the amount of time devoted to research. MCA support is expected to help lift these constraints to reduce workload inequities and enable a more diverse scientific workforce (more women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from groups that have been underrepresented) at high academic ranks.

The MCA cross-directorate program provides protected time, resources, and the means to gain new skills through synergistic and mutually beneficial partnerships, typically at an institution other than the candidate's home institution. Partners from outside the Principal Investigator's (PI) own sub-discipline or discipline are encouraged, but not required, to enhance interdisciplinary networking and convergence across science and engineering fields. Research projects that envision new insights on existing problems or identify new problems made accessible with cutting-edge methodology or expertise from other fields are encouraged. See also Mid-Career Advancement Program FAQ

Deadline(s): Varies

View INTERN Program and opportunities.

NSF's INTERN program provides graduate students with experiential learning opportunities through research internships in non-academic settings. Since 2017, INTERN has offered supplemental funding to broaden research opportunities for graduate students. The program enables graduate students to acquire core professional competencies and skills to support careers in any sector of the U.S. economy.

NSF considers supplemental funding requests for up to an additional six months of graduate student support on active NSF grants. Current INTERN opportunities include:

• Non-Academic Research Internships
• Air Force Research Laboratory
• DEVCOM ARL or DEVCOM GVSC
• National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
• Geothermal Energy
• Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies
• Geosciences and Human Health
• Forensic Science and Criminal Justice

Deadlines: NSF TTP-E: rolling. NSF TTP-T and NSF TTP-P: September 16, 2025 (Next cycles: January 20, 2026, and May 19, 2026.)

View NSF 25-540

The National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) released a solicitation for the new Translation to Practice (TTP) program. The goal for translation of research to practice is to ensure that innovations developed through research have tangible and positive impacts for the U.S. NSF TTP includes three funding tracks, NSF TTP-Explore (NSF TTP-E), NSF TTP-Translate (NSF TTP-T), and NSF TTP-Partner (NSF TTP-P) that are designed to support technologies at different starting points along the spectrum of translation research from laboratory discovery to practical application. These funding tracks are not prerequisites for each other, and NSF encourages applicants to apply for the track that best suits the maturity of their innovation. 

This opportunity limits the number of proposals per PI and Co-PI to one NSF TTP proposal (NSF TTPE, NSF TTP-T, or NSF TTP-P) at a time. PIs are required to be in a primary, full-time research or teaching position or a tenure/tenure-track position. PIs (or Co-PIs) are required to wait for an award or rejection on their current TTP proposal before submitting another proposal. Application requirements differ depending on the funding track, so please the full solicitation.

Deadline(s): November 4, 2025

View NSF 23-624

The purpose of the Research on Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Learning (RITEL) program is to support early-stage research in emerging technologies for teaching and learning that respond to pressing needs in authentic (real-world) educational environments. RITEL supports future-oriented exploratory and synergistic research in emerging technologies (including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and immersive or augmenting technologies) for teaching and learning. The program accepts proposals that focus on learning, teaching, or a combination of both. The scope of the program is broad and includes teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in foundational areas that enable STEM (e.g., self-regulation, literacy, communication, collaboration, creativity, and socio-emotional skills). RITEL is unique in its requirement that projects must advance fundamental research in both learning (and/or teaching) and technology. 

Deadline(s): Varies

View ORAU funding opportunities.

Tufts joined Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), an organization with the mission to advance national priorities in science, health and education. To achieve this goal, they have assembled a consortium of over 150 colleges and universities. ORAU has many benefits for consortium members, including the ability to develop partnerships with consortium members and to identify subject matter experts in topics such as public health and healthcare, K-12 STEM education, technology products and solutions (particularly around energy), workforce development, environmental services, radiation safety and health physics training, epidemiology and exposure science, and assessments and evaluations.

Tufts Springboard is an intramural grant program sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR), and Tufts Medicine. The goal of Tufts Springboard is to stimulate high impact research, scholarship and educational initiatives that have an explicit plan leading to extramural funding or other outcomes that influence research, scholarship, educational outcomes, and/or policy.

Learn more about Tufts Springboard.

Deadline(s): Rolling through November 20, 2027

View DEVCOM ARL BAA

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) identifies and executes disruptive research leading to scientific discovery and emerging technologies for Army continuous transformation. This broad agency announcement seeks proposals across many disciplines for cutting-edge innovative research to produce discoveries that would have a significant impact on enabling new and improved Army operational capabilities and related technologies. See also About DEVCOM ARL.

Deadline: Rolling

View ERDC BAA

This BAA covers a wide range research and development topic areas, including: hydraulics, dredging, coastal engineering, instrumentation, oceanography, remote sensing, geotechnical engineering, earthquake engineering, soil effects, vehicle mobility, self-contained munitions, military engineering, geophysics, pavements, protective structures, water quality, dredged material, treatment of hazardous waste, wetlands, physical/mechanical/chemical properties of snow and other frozen precipitation, infrastructure and environmental issues for installations, computer science, telecommunications management, energy, facilities maintenance, materials and structures, and other engineering, environmental, and ecological processes.