Announcements | Division of Research

Federal Funding Update

The university is monitoring this evolving situation closely. The university has also established a webpage where additional information is available: research.umd.edu/federalupdate

Events

1:1 NIH Proposal Development Consultation

The Research Development Office is offering 1:1 consultations on strategic approaches to NIH grant applications and responsiveness to NIH’s evolving priorities and review criteria. Investigators applying to any NIH mechanisms, including research projects (e.g. R01, R21), training grants (e.g. T32), program projects/centers (e.g. P01), career development awards (e.g. K awards), as well as specific mechanisms (e.g. Katz award) are welcome. Please plan to share a one page summary of your proposed work in advance of meeting.

Please email Michelle Smith (msmith02@umd.edu) with questions or to schedule a meeting.

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Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI)

The mission of the Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) is to nurture and grow an expanded cadre of biomedical and clinician scientists. In addition, the Center will help identify and facilitate access to advanced research training and research career development. There also will be a special mission focus on professional development for underrepresented minorities and women.

Giving an Effective Research Talk
Wednesday, March 12 @ 1 pm | Zoom - This seminar will provide key strategies for delivering an effective research talk.
Developing Your Research Question, Hypothesis, and Specific Aims
Thursday, March 20 @ 9am | Zoom - The purpose of this seminar is to help faculty in composing and clearly describing their underlying research question, hypothesis, and specific aims.
Benefits of Serving as an NIH Reviewer
Thursday, March 27 @ 9am | Zoom - This 30-minute session will introduce attendees to the role of an NIH reviewer and how to identify review opportunities, including the NIH Early Career Reviewer (ECR) Program.

Registration Links

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

Department of Defense
New Funding Opportunity

N0001425SF002; W911NF25S0004; NOFOAFRLAFOSR20250002: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)
The FY26 MURI program aims to foster scientific breakthroughs by integrating multiple research disciplines to solve foundational challenges in national security, defense technology, and fundamental physics. Research areas span generative AI model evaluation, brain-inspired robotics, quantum entanglement engineering, environmental intelligence via fungal networks, and ultra-high-temperature gas-material interactions in hypersonic flows. Other focus areas include structured light for high-intensity laser-matter interactions, novel 2D/3D heterostructures, and dynamic molecular optics, offering opportunities to revolutionize computational methods, photonics, and material science. With $170M in available funding, the MURI program supports long-term exploration of scientific frontiers that can enhance warfighter capabilities, resilient AI systems, and next-generation materials.
This opportunity aligns with several research strengths across engineering, physics, AI, and quantum sciences. Faculty in the School of Engineering, including the ECE and the ME, could contribute expertise in hypersonic aerodynamics, photonic inference systems, and AI-driven autonomy. The JQI and QTC have ongoing work in quantum entanglement engineering and structured light-matter interactions, directly aligning with MURI’s quantum science objectives. Researchers at UMIACS and the MC2 could engage in topics related to generative AI model evaluation, large-scale neural systems, and cybersecurity implications of machine learning. Additionally, ISR and the MRC bring capabilities in intelligent robotics, human-AI collaboration, and autonomous system performance, making us a strong candidate for MURI-funded research. With our extensive DoD partnerships and expertise in defense-critical technologies, faculty across multiple disciplines can leverage this opportunity to drive transformative advancements in military science and national security. (White papers are due NLT 5/2)

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
New Programs

DARPA-PA-24-04-08: Chemistries and monoLayers for Anti-aging Kinematics (CLOAK)
The CLOAK program addresses a critical limitation in MEMS-based vibratory sensors—long-term sensor drift and degradation—by developing novel surface treatments, encapsulation methods, and material stabilization techniques. Current MEMS sensors, widely used in inertial navigation systems, degrade over time due to built-in stress, charge traps, microcracks, and material aging, leading to inaccuracies in precision applications such as military navigation, robotics, and space systems. CLOAK will investigate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and vacuum/inert gas encapsulation to mitigate these effects. The program will be executed in two phases: (1) a 12-month proof-of-concept effort to demonstrate a sensor with <10% degradation over accelerated aging, and (2) a 12-month scaling phase to extend sensor lifetime to >10 years with <1% degradation. DARPA envisions this technology as a foundational breakthrough for future high-performance MEMS sensors in defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure applications.
This opportunity will be of significant interest to faculty and researchers in the School of Engineering, particularly in the Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and ISR. The Maryland NanoCenter and Maryland Robotics Center also house expertise in MEMS fabrication, nanoscale materials engineering, and precision sensing technologies, making them prime candidates for CLOAK-related research. Additionally, the QTC and Department of Physics could contribute insights into materials behavior at the atomic scale, charge motion phenomena, and quantum-enhanced sensing techniques. Given our ongoing work in advanced navigation systems, unmanned systems, and aerospace applications, faculty engaged in autonomous systems, sensor fusion, and AI-driven navigation may also find this program highly relevant. (DSO PM Dr. Sunil Bhave)
DARPA-PA-24-04-07: The Right Space (TRS)
The TRS program is designed to systematically discover and validate new mathematical transformations that optimize problem-solving across a range of complex modeling challenges. Currently, transformations such as Fourier and Koopman methods are discovered through a combination of scientific intuition and serendipity, limiting their generalizability and application scope. TRS will address this gap by automating the discovery process using computational techniques, with a particular emphasis on SciML-driven approaches. The program is particularly focused on high-dimensional, nonlinear, and stochastic systems, making it highly relevant for agent-based modeling, turbulent flow simulations, multiscale material mechanics, and real-time digital twin calibration. Successful transformations under TRS could significantly improve DoD applications in aerospace, defense logistics, and predictive analytics, reducing computational complexity while enhancing accuracy.
This opportunity is particularly relevant to faculty and researchers within the Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation Program, the Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Computer Science. Researchers within the UMIACS and the Maryland Center for Fundamental Physics could contribute expertise in mathematical modeling, machine learning-driven optimization, and complex system analysis. Additionally, groups within the ISR and the Aerospace Engineering Department may find the program highly applicable, particularly for fluid mechanics, aerodynamics modeling, and predictive simulation techniques. Our extensive research in SciML, high-performance computing, and applied physics positions us well to lead or contribute to TRS-related efforts. (DSO PM Dr. Yannis Kevrekidis; Proposals due NLT 5/2)

Upcoming Proposer’s Day
A Proposer’s Day is an event held by government agencies or organizations to share information about upcoming opportunities, answer questions, and engage potential collaborators, contractors, or researchers. It fosters better understanding of requirements, encourages networking, and ultimately improves the quality of submitted proposals.

DARPA-SN-25-56: Reengineering Enabling Sleep Transitions in Operationally Restrictive Environments (RESTORE)
The RESTORE program addresses the critical challenge of maintaining cognitive performance in warfighters operating under severe sleep deprivation. Traditional sleep treatments focus on achieving the standard seven-to-eight-hour sleep cycle, which is often unfeasible in military settings. RESTORE will explore cutting-edge non-invasive neuromodulation technologies to precisely control sleep macro- and micro-architectures, enabling more efficient restorative sleep even under restricted conditions. By enhancing sleep efficiency, rather than increasing sleep duration, the program aims to develop novel solutions that can improve alertness, decision-making, and overall cognitive function in service members who routinely operate on minimal rest. The program’s research could have significant implications beyond military applications, including for first responders, shift workers, and individuals in high-stress professions requiring peak cognitive performance despite limited sleep.
Our researchers in neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, biomedical engineering, human factors, and sleep medicine. Faculty within BSOS, the Department of Psychology, the School of Engineering (especially in biomedical engineering and electrical engineering), and the SPH (specifically in kinesiology and behavioral sleep research) may find this program highly relevant. Additionally, researchers working on AI-driven cognitive modeling, non-invasive neuromodulation, wearable sleep technologies, and the intersection of brain-computer interfaces with human performance optimization could provide valuable contributions. The program also aligns with ongoing work in HESP and human resilience studies, offering a pathway for cross-disciplinary collaborations in optimizing neurocognitive recovery under extreme conditions. (3/11 registration deadline)

Department of the Navy
New Funding Opportunity

N00173-24-S-BA01: Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Basic and Applied Scientific Research
The NRL BAA is a strategic opportunity for researchers to contribute to cutting-edge naval technologies by addressing challenges across multiple scientific and engineering domains. Key research areas include:
- Radar & Electromagnetics: Development of high-frequency radar systems, cost-effective antenna arrays, and directed energy weapons to enhance naval surveillance and defense capabilities.
- Computational Sciences: Application of high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and simulation-based decision-making for real-time data analysis and strategic planning.
- Materials Science: Advancements in corrosion-resistant materials, composite structures, and next-generation energy storage solutions (batteries and fuel cells) for naval and aerospace applications.
- Plasma Physics & Directed Energy: Research into high-energy lasers, electromagnetic launchers, and pulsed power technologies for advanced defense and propulsion systems.
- Cybersecurity & Information Warfare: Strengthening network resilience, cryptographic security, and high-assurance computing to defend against cyber threats in naval operations.
- Bio & Chemical Sciences: Development of biodefense tools, biosensors, and AI-powered diagnostics to enhance military medical response and operational safety.
  
  This BAA presents a significant opportunity for researchers in the Clark School of Engineering, and ECE. Faculty and researchers in the MC2 and ISR may find relevance in cybersecurity, cryptography, and AI-driven decision-making. Additionally, our Materials Science and Engineering Department, MEII and QTC could contribute expertise in materials durability, quantum-enhanced sensors, and next-gen energy storage technologies.

Department of the Army
New Funding Opportunity

W911QY25R0023: Broad Agency Announcement for Basic and Applied Research at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center
The DEVCOM Soldier Center BAA outlines a comprehensive research initiative aimed at developing and integrating advanced Soldier-centric technologies to prepare for future conflicts against peer adversaries. The program seeks proposals in six key areas: Combat Feeding & Equipment, focusing on advancements in combat ration research, logistics, and food service technologies to sustain distributed forces in austere environments; Soldier Protection & Survivability, emphasizing innovations in integrated personal protection, chemical/biological defense, countersurveillance, and nanotechnology-based materials to enhance warfighter resilience; and Textile Technologies, which explores the development of multi-functional, adaptive, and responsive materials for wearable protection, camouflage, and environmental adaptation. Additionally, the program seeks proposals in Modeling & Simulation, aimed at enhancing virtual training environments, digital twin modeling, and real-time operational effectiveness analysis for individual Soldiers and small units; Soldier Effectiveness, focusing on biomechanics, power management, human factors, ISR technologies, and cognitive performance enhancement to optimize maneuverability, situational awareness, and warfighter survivability; and Expeditionary Maneuver Support & Aerial Delivery, which seeks novel solutions for resupply in contested environments, EMI/EMP protection, advanced personnel/cargo airdrop systems, and sustainability in distributed operations.
To support warfighter readiness in 2040, the Army is prioritizing advancements in five emerging research areas. Emergent Materials will focus on novel nanostructures, smart textiles, and adaptive coatings to improve Soldier protection and sustainment. Human Performance & Training aims to optimize cognitive resilience, physical endurance, and AI-driven instructional systems for enhanced warfighter effectiveness. Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence (AI/ML) will drive decision support, adaptive training systems, and intelligent sensor networks to ensure battlefield dominance. Robotics & Autonomy will include the development of exoskeletons, unmanned logistics platforms, and autonomous resupply systems to reduce the Soldier's burden. Lastly, Synthetic Biology will support biodefense, wearable biosensors, and performance-enhancing biological interventions to ensure warfighter health and resilience.
This BAA presents a strong opportunity for all faculty and research centers engaged in defense innovation, bioengineering, and AI-driven decision systems. Key contributors may include the School of Engineering, particularly our Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Materials Science & Engineering, which specialize in wearable technologies, energy-efficient power systems, and combat sustainment solutions. The MRC and MAGE are well-positioned to contribute expertise in robotics, autonomy, and AI-enhanced training platforms. The ISR has relevant expertise in data-driven decision-making, ISR solutions, and cognitive augmentation technologies. The BIOE and Synthetic Biology Research Program can provide contributions in biosensors, medical simulation, and human augmentation research. Additionally, the MC2 can play a critical role in cyberspace warfare training and adaptive instructional systems.

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.

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