Announcements

Federal Funding Update

The Division of Research’s webpage (research.umd.edu/federalupdates) contains information, FAQs, and leadership guidance.

In the context of evolving Federal agency priorities, the Research Development office is available to assist faculty addressing questions from POs/agencies regarding the scientific or technical aspects of their research (e.g., queries related to proposals under review, awards, progress reports). Reach out directly for assistance (ckenned3@umd.edu).

Events

NIH K Award Information Sessions & Writing Group

Description: The Office of Research Development is interested in gauging interest in a possible NIH Mentored Career Development (K) Writing Group. We are considering two levels of support: 1) Information sessions with tips for successful submission and 2) a 6 session writing group with peer review.

Interest Form

Facing the Future Together: A Conversation with Presidents Jarrell and Pines

Date: June 26, 2025
Time: 11am
Description: On the next edition of Virtual Face to Face, University of Maryland, Baltimore President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, is joined by University of Maryland, College Park President Darryll J. Pines, PhD, MS, for a timely discussion on the challenges facing higher education today. From research funding and student financial support to diversity, equity, inclusion, and the continued success of the MPower initiative, the two leaders explore how their institutions are navigating uncertain waters and shaping a stronger future.

Please Register

NSF Webinar: Lessons from the Field 2025: Perspectives on Catalyzing Convergence in GCR Phase II

Date: June 26, 2025
Time: 3:30pm
Description: Hear from a panel of investigators who have led successful projects funded by the NSF Growing Convergence Research program. They will discuss some of the challenges and benefits of working on deeply integrated cross-disciplinary projects.

Join Here -Passcode:GCR

On The Horizon

The UMD Research Development Office, RD Capture Director, and Strategic Intelligence Analyst support our faculty by providing pre-competition intelligence with recommended actions and support.

Did You Know

Proactively engaging with new government program managers can significantly enhance your research visibility and funding opportunities. By presenting your technologies using a quad chart, you can effectively communicate your innovations and their potential impact. Schedule a time with Patrick M. Mendez, UMD’s Research Development Capture Director, to discuss your technology and identify potential federal customers who might align with your research interests. Let's collaborate to bring your research to the forefront!

New and Upcoming Programs

DARPA
Upcoming Proposers Day

DARPA-SN-25-73: Grainy Day
The Grainy Day program addresses a critical national security need to deploy high volumes of rugged unattended sensors passively from the air—using platforms ranging from micro–unmanned aerial vehicles (MAVs <2kg) to larger military aircraft—across variable atmospheric conditions. The program demands innovations in aerodynamic surfaces and in-flight control algorithms capable of navigating complex wind layers (jet streams, trade winds), combined with resilient microelectronics that can withstand high-impact forces while preserving data collection functionality. DARPA also places a strong emphasis on manufacturability and rapid scaling using commercial foundries. The Proposers Day will provide SECRET-level program detail, but uncleared institutions may participate via pre-recorded unclassified Lightning Talks or Teaming Profiles, opening pathways for collaboration.
Our researchers in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, the MEMS sensors and systems group at the ISR, and the ECE are especially well positioned to respond to the Grainy Day challenge. Faculty researching autonomous systems and dynamics, microfabrication, and rugged electronics bring critical expertise in aerodynamic controls, MEMS, and resilient microelectronics. The MRC and our proximity to key DoD labs make UMD a strong potential performer or teaming partner for primes targeting this high-impact DARPA opportunity.

Upcoming Programs

DARPA-SN-25-84: Resilient Software Systems Accelerator
The Resilient Software Systems Accelerator aims to rapidly implement formal methods-based tools to reduce vulnerabilities across the Department of Defense’s aging software infrastructure. This accelerator will fund collaborative efforts between tool developers and Defense Industrial Base companies to apply mathematically rigorous techniques—such as type-checking and formal verification—to legacy and future systems. DARPA envisions red team evaluations pre- and post-tool application to quantify impact and feed results into the FMDRS Guide, supporting broader transition and adoption of these critical tools across DoD environments.
This opportunity is highly aligned with research expertise within the Department of Computer Science, the MC2, and the ISR. UMD’s strengths in formal verification, program analysis, secure software engineering, and applied mathematics position our faculty as ideal contributors to DARPA’s formal methods transition ecosystem. Faculty whose work focuses on software security, verification tools, and human factors in cybersecurity, may find this opportunity especially relevant. Additionally, the new School of Computing, Data, and Information Sciences (CDIS) provides a natural collaborative platform to engage in this accelerator effort.

Department of the Army
New Program

W56KGU-25-R-TDUS: Tactical Zero Trust (TZT)
As part of its continued focus on next-generation tactical data security, the U.S. Army C5ISR Center invites white papers under Topic #50 of BAA W56KGU-22-0ESI, emphasizing the protection of data in use during mission-critical processing activities. The call recognizes that traditional data-at-rest and data-in-transit protections fall short in contested operational settings, especially in DDIL environments with severe constraints on bandwidth, computing resources, and system interoperability. The Army seeks solutions that go beyond Digital Rights Management and includes, but is not limited to, PETs such as homomorphic encryption, secure multiparty computation, and confidential computing via Trusted Execution Environments. Successful submissions must be at TRL 3–6, and capable of demonstrating low SWaP-C overhead, high adaptability to varying hardware/software environments, and operational utility without relying on constant internet connectivity.
Researchers in the ECE, the MC2, and ARLIS are well-positioned to contribute to this call. Faculty with extensive experience in cybersecurity, secure computing, cryptographic protocol design, and PETs. Our track record in transitioning cybersecurity research to DoD use cases—especially in constrained environments—makes our campus an ideal collaborator for Army efforts to modernize secure tactical communications. This opportunity aligns with cross-campus strengths in formal methods, privacy-preserving computation, and trusted systems research.
W911nf-24-S-0008: Army Applications Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement For Disruptive Technologies
The U.S. Army is prioritizing defense innovations that address the increasing threat of Group 1 small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) targeting armored vehicles. As part of a special call under the Army Applications Laboratory (AAL) BAA, this effort seeks layered protection systems that enable armored vehicles to defend against FPV and payload-carrying drones without compromising the vehicle's hatch integrity or operational readiness. Ideal technologies will incorporate passive, active, kinetic, and non-kinetic methods for neutralization and should demonstrate platform-agnostic adaptability, minimal crew workload, full C2 system interoperability, and low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). White papers are due by July 6, 2025, with an opportunity for selected teams to deliver prototype demonstrations.
This opportunity strongly aligns with capabilities across the Department of Aerospace Engineering and the ECE, particularly in UAV defense, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare. Faculty in the MRC, the CALCE, and the UAS Research and Operations Center are actively developing counter-UAS systems and AI-enabled detection and neutralization methods. This call is also relevant to researchers in the ISR and the Center for Automation Research, where work on intelligent autonomy, vehicle survivability, and systems integration can be leveraged to contribute innovative layered defense technologies for future Army platforms.

Department of the Navy
New Program

N6600125S4700: NIWC Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) C4ISR, Information Operations, Cyberspace Operations and Information Technology System Research, Cryogenics and Quantum
NIWC Pacific’s FY25 BAA is a comprehensive solicitation designed to advance next-generation capabilities in C4ISR, information and cyberspace operations, and IT system research. Specific focus areas include decision support tools for distributed command centers, cyber-secure networking protocols, low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) ISR platforms, anti-jamming communications, electronic warfare techniques, and innovations in quantum information systems. The BAA also includes emphasis on cryogenic component development, including cryopackaging, superconducting digital circuits, and integrated superconducting receiver systems. Projects in STEM workforce development, energy-efficient technologies for C4ISR, and unmanned system integration are also welcome. NIWC encourages submission of white papers proposing transformative approaches aligned with Navy missions in dynamic, multi-domain operational environments.
This opportunity aligns strongly with the capabilities of faculty in the ECE, the Department of Computer Science, and the ISR. Research teams at UMIACS, CRES, and MC2 are well-positioned for topics spanning AI-driven ISR, cyber resilience, software-defined radios, quantum circuits, and RF propagation modeling. Faculty with expertise in superconducting circuits and quantum cryogenics, located in the Department of Physics and the Quantum Technology Center (QTC), may also be well-suited to pursue funding under the cryogenics and quantum focus areas.

Requests for Information (RFIs): RFIs offer guidance to the federal government on specific areas of interest. Researchers can respond to RFIs to influence policy decisions and shape future funding calls. For questions or support on RFIs, please contact Patrick M. Mendez. RFI due dates are noted in parentheses.