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Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) Idea Development Award supports the development of innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate progress in improving outcomes for individuals with pancreatic cancer. This award mechanism supports innovative ideas with the potential to yield impactful data and new avenues of investigation. All applications must address at least one of the FY26 PCARP Focus Areas. Distinctive Features: This award mechanism requires preliminary data relevant to the proposed project. Applications can support clinical research studies; however, this mechanism does not allow clinical trials. Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option for Early-Career Investigator: This funding mechanism offers a higher level of funding for applications that propose to partner an experienced PI (i.e., Initiating PI, who will serve as the mentor) with an Early-Career Investigator (i.e., Partnering PI) wishing to pursue a career in pancreatic cancer research. For this option, only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but both PIs will need to submit at the full application stage. The partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

The Algebra and Number Theory program supports research in algebra, algebraic and arithmetic geometry, number theory, and representation theory. Conference proposals The Algebra and Number Theory program also provides support for conferences, workshops, summer/winter schools, and similar activities. Proposals should be submitted to PD 20-1264 using the "Conference" proposal type in research.gov. Proposals with budgets not exceeding $50,000, which in accordance with NSF policy can be reviewed internally, should be submitted: in May for events that will take place in January through April of the following year in October for events that will take place in May through December of the following year. In order to allow time for external review, proposals with budget requests exceeding $50,000 should be submitted nine to twelve months before the event is scheduled to take place.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are enabling extraordinary scientific breakthroughs in fields ranging from protein folding, natural language processing, drug synthesis, and recommender systems to the discovery of novel engineering materials and products. These achievements lie at the confluence of mathematics, statistics, engineering and computer science, yet a clear explanation of the remarkable power and also the limitations of such AI systems has eluded scientists from all disciplines. Critical foundational gaps remain that, if not properly addressed, will soon limit advances in machine learning, curbing progress in artificial intelligence. It appears increasingly unlikely that these critical gaps can be surmounted with increased computational power and experimentation alone. Deeper mathematical understanding is essential to ensuring that AI can be harnessed to meet the future needs of society and enable broad scientific discovery, while forestalling the unintended consequences of a disruptive technology. 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 Mathematical Biology Program supports research in all areas of mathematical sciences with relevance to the biological sciences. Successful proposals must demonstrate mathematical innovation, biological relevance and significance, and strong integration between mathematics and biology. Some projects of interest to the Mathematical Biology Program may include development of mathematical theories, methodologies, and tools traditionally seen in other disciplinary programs within the Division of Mathematical Sciences. In general, if a proposal is appropriate for review by more than one NSF program, it is advisable to contact the program officers handling each program to determine when and where the proposal should be submitted and to facilitate the review process. The Mathematical Biology Program regularly seeks joint reviews of proposals with programs in the Directorates of Biological Sciences and other relevant programs. Investigators are encouraged to discuss their project with program officers in relevant areas to determine whether it could be considered by more than one program. Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) Investigators submitting an RUI proposal should read the RUI solicitation (link below), as the rules for proposal format may deviate from the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). EAGER and RAPID Proposals Prior to submitting proposals for EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) or Rapid Response Research (RAPID), Investigators must contact the cognizant program directors. Requests for Award Supplements Principal Investig...

The Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science program supports authentic summer research experiences for K-14 educators to foster long-term collaborations between universities, community colleges, school districts, and industry partners. With this solicitation, the Directorates for Engineering (ENG) and Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) focus on a reciprocal exchange of expertise between K-14 educators and research faculty and (when applicable) industry mentors. K-14 educators will enhance their scientific disciplinary knowledge in engineering or computer science and translate their research experiences into classroom activities and curricula to broaden their students’ awareness of and participation in computing and engineering pathways. At the same time, the hosting research faculty will deepen their understanding of classroom practices, current curricula, pedagogy, and K-14 educational environments.

NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships provide an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. Fellows may engage in observational, instrumental, theoretical, laboratory or archival data research in any area of astronomy or astrophysics, in combination with a coherent educational plan for the duration of the fellowship. The program supports researchers for a period of up to three years with fellowships that may be taken to eligible host institutions of their choice. The program is intended to recognize early-career investigators of significant potential and to provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in positions of distinction and leadership in the scientific community.

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU-EiR) program was established in response to direction provided in the Senate Commerce and Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Report (Senate Report 115-139), and is built on prior and continuing efforts by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to strengthen research capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This report provided guidance to NSF to establish the HBCU Excellence in Research program "to provide opportunities for both public and private HBCUs, particularly for those who have not been successful in larger NSF Research & Related Activities competitions, in order to stimulate sustainable improvement in their research and development capacity" (https://congress.gov/congressional-report/115th-congress/senate-report/139/1). EiR supports such capacity building by funding research projects aligned with NSF's research programs. The program aims to establish stronger connections between researchers at HBCUs and NSF's research programs.

The purpose of the Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF) is to support future leaders in mathematics and statistics by facilitating their participation in postdoctoral research environments thatwill have maximal impact on their future scientific development. There are two options for awardees: Research Fellowship and Research Instructorship. Awards will support research in areas of mathematics and statistics, including applications to other disciplines.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Arthritis Research Program (ATRP) Translational Research Award (TRA) supports high-impact translational research that will accelerate critical findings into clinically relevant solutions. Research funded under this award mechanism will be hypothesis-driven, high-impact applied research that is relevant to Service Members, Veterans, their Families and the American public. Research addressing any and all types of arthritis is encouraged.Distinctive Features: The FY26 ATRP TRA mechanism is intended to support preclinical or animal research and may not be used for clinical research or clinical trials. Basic research, as defined in Section 3.1.2, is not allowed. A key aspect of this award mechanism is impact. The application should explicitly state how outcomes of the proposed research will significantly advance arthritis research, particularly in accelerating critical findings into clinically relevant solutions.Preliminary and/or published data, originating from research conducted by the applicant(s) or others, is required.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Arthritis Research Program (ATRP) Clinical Research Award (CRA) supports clinical research that evaluates disease-specific factors and interventions. Research is intended to generate clinically useful evidence with potential to optimize patient outcomes and inform clinical care or policy. Research addressing any and all types of arthritis is encouraged.Applications must address one of two FY26 ATRP CRA Focus Areas: Prevention and Early Diagnosis, or Treatment and Mitigation of Disease Progression/Burden.Distinctive Features: The FY26 ATRP CRA offers funding for two research levels. It is the responsibility of the applicant to select the level that aligns with the scope of the proposed research.• Research Level 1: Applications proposing clinical research or early-phase/pilot clinical trials, to include new or emerging research that is not ready for a full-scale randomized controlled clinical trial.• Research Level 2: Applications proposing a full-scale clinical trial.Applications should include a community collaborator (e.g., patient/care partner, community-based organization consultant) who will provide advice and consultation during study design and throughout study planning and implementation. The ATRP encourages a community collaborator for Research Level 1 applications and requires a community collaborator for Research Level 2 applications.Preliminary and/or published data are required.

Summary: The intent of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award (TDRA) is to support product-driven therapeutic and diagnostic development research aimed at reducing the burden of Lyme disease and/or other tick-borne diseases and conditions, and improving patient care and/or quality of life. Treatment-focused applications should be therapeutic evaluation studies designed to advance new ideas aimed at drug or treatment discovery that are still in the early/preclinical stages of development. Diagnosis-focused applications should propose diagnostic approaches that will be readily integrated into clinical settings.  https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/tbdrppreann

Summary: The intent of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Idea Development Award (IDA) is to support conceptually innovative research that could lead to impactful discoveries or significant advancements that will accelerate progress toward reducing the burden of Lyme disease and/or other tick-borne diseases and conditions, and improving patient care and/or the quality of life. Applications should propose research that is conceptually innovative, introduces a new concept or question, challenges existing paradigms, approaches issues from a new perspective, or exhibits other uniquely creative qualities; and should not merely be a next logical step or an incremental advance on published data or ongoing research. Distinctive Features: A Career Development Option is available to eligible early-career investigators who propose to conduct impactful mechanism-relevant research under the mentorship of an experienced tick-borne disease researcher(s). Applications submitted under the IDA – Career Development Option (IDA-CDO) will be reviewed using separate, career development-specific evaluation criteria by a separate, dedicated peer review panel; and are subject to a lower cost limit than those submitted under the standard IDA.https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/tbdrppreann

The Topology program supports research on algebraic topology, including chromatic, equivariant, motivic, and (un)stable homotopy, homology and cohomology theories; bordism and K-theory; topological manifolds; knots and links; geometric topology; differential topology; transformation groups; topological quantum field theories; contact and symplectic structures; infinity and model categories; and topological data analysis. Conferences Topology proposals for conferences, workshops, summer/winter schools, and similar activities must be submitted to PD 22-1267 using the "Conference" or “Travel” proposal type in research.gov. The program’ssubmission windows for conference/travel proposalsare September 1-30 and April 1-30. Proposals with budgets not exceeding $50,000 should be submitted during a submission window that occursat least six months prior to the event. Proposals with budget requests that exceed $50,000 should be submitted during a submission window that occursat least eight months prior to the event. Principal Investigators should carefully read the relevant sections of the PAPPG to obtain important information regarding the substance of such proposals and note the additional requirements for travel support requests for international events.

The program in Geometric Analysis supports research on differential geometry and its relation to partial differential equations and variational principles; geometric methods in modern mathematical physics; symplectic geometry; geometric group theory; geometric data analysis; aspects of global analysis, including convex, complex, integral, and information geometries; and related geometric topics. Conferences Geometric Analysis proposals for conferences, workshops, summer/winter schools, and similar activities must be submitted to PD 22-1265 using the "Conference" or “Travel” proposal type in research.gov. The program’s submission windows for conference/travel proposals are September 1-30 and April 1-30. Proposals with budgets not exceeding $50,000 should be submitted during a submission window that occursat least six months prior to the event. Proposals with budget requests that exceed $50,000 should be submitted during a submission window that occursat least eight months prior to the event. Principal Investigators should carefully read the relevant sections of the PAPPG to obtain important information regarding the substance of such proposals and note the additional requirements for travel support requests for international events.

The Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) offers Postdoctoral Research Fellowships to encourageindependence earlyin the fellow'scareerby supporting his or herresearch and training goals.The research and training plan of each fellowship must address important scientific questions within thescope of the SBE directorate and the specific guidelines in this solicitation. The SPRF program offers two tracks: (I) Fundamental Research in the SBE Sciences (SPRF-FR) and (II) Broadening Participation in the SBE Sciences (SPRF-BP). See the full text of the solicitation for a detailed description of these tracks.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Translational Research Award (TRA) supports translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in spinal cord injury (SCI) research into clinical applications.Distinctive Features:• This funding opportunity contains an Early-Career Partnership Option, which allows for two principal investigators (PIs). If this option is selected, at least one of the named PIs must be an early-career investigator. Only the initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit full applications. The partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on a separate award to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.• Applications to this funding opportunity must name at least one SCI community partner (e.g., SCI Lived-Experience Consultant, representative of community-based organizations) who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports basic through early translational research that will yield highly impactful discoveries or major advancements in the research and/or patient care of eye injury and/or visual dysfunction related to military exposure. The IIRA may be used to support preclinical studies and/or clinical research. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas. The IIRA cannot be used to support clinical trials. Distinctive Features: ·        The IIRA offers two Funding Levels to support research at different stages and the exploration/development of ideas of different maturity levels. ·        Funding Level 2 includes a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option (PPIO) for two PIs, an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI. ·        Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, and Personnel. ·        Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the IIRA, contribution to the VRP portfolio, relative impact, and relevance to military health. ·        The VRP may share FY26 IIRA applications and reviews with the National Eye Institute (NEI) for independent funding consideration. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA) supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of spinal cord injury (SCI).Distinctive Features: This funding opportunity contains an Early-Career Partnership Option, which allows for two Principal Investigators (PIs). If this option is selected, at least one of the named PIs must be an early-career investigator. Only the Initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit full applications. The Partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on a separate award to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.Applications to this funding opportunity must name at least two spinal cord injury (SCI) community partners (e.g., SCI Lived-Experience Consultants, representatives of community-based organizations) who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports studies that have the potential to make an important contribution to spinal cord injury (SCI) research, patient care and/or quality of life. May focus on any phase of research from basic through translational science, though studies that focus solely on identifying intervention targets are discouraged.Distinctive Features:• This funding opportunity contains an Early-Career Partnership Option, which allows for two Principal Investigators (PIs). If this option is selected, at least one of the named PIs must be an early-career investigator. Only the initiating PI will submit a pre-application, but all PIs will need to submit full applications. The partnering PI’s application is an abbreviated package specific to their distinct portion of the research project. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named on a separate award to the recipient organization(s). Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) Clinical Translation Research Award (CTRA) supports high-impact, new, or emerging clinical research that requires additional preliminary studies, such as feasibility, pilot, or optimization, to prepare for future larger-scale clinical trials or implementation. Primary objectives of this mechanism include:• Accelerating the translation of current and emerging techniques or interventions into clinical use by addressing specific barrier(s) to clinical success for the purpose of de-risking or informing the design of definitive trials.• Identifying the most effective diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation options to support critical decision-making for patients, clinicians, care partners and policymakers.Distinctive Features:• This funding opportunity contains an Early-Career Partnership Option, which allows for two principal investigators (PIs). If this option is selected, at least one of the named PIs must be an early-career investigator. Be advised, all associated applications for a research project may be withdrawn if the initiating or partnering application is rejected or administratively withdrawn.• Applications to this funding opportunity must name at least two spinal cord injury (SCI) community partners who will provide advice and consultation throughout the planning and implementation of the research project.

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Translational Research Award (TRA) supports translational research that transforms a promising discovery into new drugs, devices or clinical practice guidelines that are ready for definitive testing in clinical trials during or by the end of the period of performance. The TRA may be used to support preclinical studies, clinical research or a pilot clinical trial, but not a full-scale clinical trial. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas. Distinctive Features: ·        If developing new drugs or device(s), the research team must include expertise in the regulatory approval process. ·        The TRA includes a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option (PPIO) for two PIs, an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI. ·        Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, Personnel and Post-Award Transition Plan. ·        Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the TRA, contribution to the VRP portfolio, relative impact and relevance to military health. ·        The VRP may share FY26 TRA applications and reviews with the National Eye Institute (NEI) for independent funding consideration. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Clinical Trial Award (CTA) supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of service-connected eye injury and visual dysfunction. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas.   Distinctive Features: ·       For interventions that require Investigational New Drug (IND)/Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or equivalent regulatory authorizations for clinical testing, the IND/IDE application or equivalent must be submitted to the relevant Regulatory Agency by the CTA application submission deadline. In addition, applicants must provide documentation of communication from the Regulatory Agency indicating that the IND/IDE or equivalent is active/safe to proceed by March 1, 2027, in order for the CTA application to be considered for funding. Refer to Attachment 7: Regulatory Strategy for further details. ·       Scored peer review criteria include Clinical Impact; Research Strategy and Feasibility; Recruitment, Accrual, Retention; Regulatory Strategy and Transition Plan; Statistical Plan and Data Analysis; Ethical Considerations; Personnel and Communication. ·       Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the CTA, contribution to program portfolio, relative impact and relevance to military health. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann

The Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation for the Astronomical Sciences (ATI) program provides individual investigator and collaborative research grants for the development of new technologies and instrumentation for use in ground-based astronomy and astrophysics.The program supports achieving the science objectives of the Division of Astronomical Sciences. The development of innovative, potentially transformative, technologies and instruments are sought, even at high technical risk.Supported categories include (but are not limited to):advanced technology development, concept feasibility studies, and specialized instrumentation to enable new observations that are difficult or impossible to obtain with existing means.Proposals may include hardware and/or software development and/or analysis to enable new types of astronomical observations. Access to the ATI supported technology and instrumentation development efforts by the US astronomical community is viewed as an important metric of success. An annual Principal Investigators meeting is planned to disseminate information between the funded research efforts.

The Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants (AAG) Program is an inclusive and flexible funding opportunity to support research in the astronomical sciences. The Program provides individual investigator and collaborative research grants for observational, theoretical, laboratory, and archival data studies in astronomy and astrophysics. The Program also considers proposals for projects and tools that enable or enhance astronomical research. Proposals may span multiple disciplines and/or areas of study and may utilize multiple techniques.

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI Program Website) serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition of a multi-user research instrument that is commercially available through direct purchase from a vendor, or for the personnel costs and equipment that are required for the development of an instrument with new capabilities, thereby advancing instrumentation capabilities and enhancing expertise for instrument design and fabrication at academic institutions. MRI instruments are, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. MRI provides support to acquire critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to obtain next-generation research instruments by developing instruments with new capabilities that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders. An MRI proposal may request from NSF up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Each performing organization may submit in revised "Tracks" as defined below, with no more than two (2) submissions in Track 1 and no more....