• Register for a free NIH program to prepare you for life science entrepreneurship.
• Learn about NSF's limits on using generative AI during the merit review process.
• View upcoming departmental seminars.
• Browse funding opportunities from NIH, NSF, and EPA, including some interesting ones, such as on the intersection of neurobiology and climate change!

NIH announces BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone Program

BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone is a free program for early career faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students within the life sciences who are interested in improving public health through life science entrepreneurship but don’t know how to get started. To be eligible, registrants must be new to NIH funding (i.e., have no prior or active NIH funding). This program is mostly virtual but concludes with a convention in San Diego in May/June 2024.

NSF aims to unlock STEM potential for persons with disabilities with conference and supplemental funding

The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites proposals for projects that aim to increase the participation and success of persons with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. The STEM Access for Persons with Disabilities (STEM-APWD) program supports research, development, and dissemination of innovative approaches, tools, and resources that can enhance access and inclusion for students and professionals with disabilities in STEM fields. The program also encourages the development of a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce that can benefit from the talents and perspectives of individuals with disabilities.

In response to this Dear Colleague Letter, applicants may submit conference proposals or supplemental funding requests. The 2024 deadline, and annually thereafter, is the second Thursday in November.

NSF limits use of generative AI in merit review process

In light of the increasing availability of generative AI technology (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, Bing Chat) for public use, NSF has announced limitations on its use in the merit review process. NSF reviewers may not upload information from proposals that they are reviewing to generative AI tools. Doing so violates NSF’s confidentiality principles. Additionally, information uploaded to generative AI tools goes into the public domain and can be reiterated within the AI technology.

NSF is encouraging applicants to note in their Project Description if and how generative AI technology was used to develop the proposal. Understanding how generative AI is being used in the proposal preparation process will help NSF create future guidelines for the research community.

NSF will include these new guidelines in its 2025 version of the PAPPG. It will continue to evaluate future use of generative AI by NSF staff and the research community and will announce updates when available.

January

Neurobiology and Behavior Neuroblitz

Barahona, Rocio (Green Lab)
Tran, Kristine (Green Lab)
Tsourmas, Kate Inman (Green Lab)

Herklotz Conference Room, Qureshey Research Lab

January

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Seminar

Cornelius Taabazuing; President’s Assistant Professor; Biochemistry and Biophysics; University of Pennsylvania

1114 Natural Sciences I

National Cancer Institute now participating in Parent K01 mechanism

Early stage faculty and postdoctoral scholars whose research aligns with the National Cancer Institute’s mission may now apply for the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01).

Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01)

NIH program that supports an innovative project that represents a change in research direction for an early-stage investigator and for which no preliminary data exist

Upcoming deadlines: January 26, 2024; May 29, 2024; September 26, 2024

Notice of Special Interest: Administrative Supplements for Equipment Purchases for Select NIGMS-Funded Awards

NIH NOSI announcing the availability of funds for administrative supplements to NIGMS-funded R01, R15, R16, R35, R37, and R44 research projects and to centers, resources, and core facilities from specific NIGMS programs

Deadline: February 15, 2024

Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS)

Innovative Approaches to Science and Engineering Research on Brain Function

Collaborative program among several agencies, led by NSF, that supports collaborative activities that leverage computational neuroscience research to accelerate understanding of the nervous system, mechanisms underlying disorders, and computational strategies used by the nervous system

Upcoming deadlines: March 7, 2024; November 13, 2024

Emerging Mathematics in Biology (eMB)

NSF program stimulating fundamental interdisciplinary research for the development of innovative mathematical, statistical, and computational theories, tools, and modeling approaches to investigate challenging biological questions and advance our understanding of complex biological systems at all scales

Deadline: March 11, 2024

2024 NIAID Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement

NIH funding opportunity that solicits proposals with the necessary research and development expertise for advancing the understanding of microbiology and immunology, leading to the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and medical diagnostics for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of infectious and immune-mediated diseases.

Deadline: March 12, 2024

Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)

NSF program funding research that deepens our understanding of ecological processes and requires uninterrupted, long-term collection, analysis, and interpretation of environmental data

Deadline: March 14, 2024

Dear Colleague Letter: Neurobiology in Changing Ecosystems (NiCE)

NSF DCL encouraging submission of research proposals to investigate the dynamic relationship between the nervous system and environments in flux; encourages collaboration between neuroscientists, environmental scientists, molecular biologists, animal behaviorists, marine biologists, ecologists, and climate scientists

Deadline: September 30, 2024 (rolling basis)

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program

EPA program to fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation

Deadline: November 21, 2024 (rolling basis)