Due to the time restraint on the deadline, this opportunity will be reviewed on a first-come-first served basis

 Funding Opportunity Purpose: 

EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants for projects in four Priority Areas as discussed in further detail below. While EPA expects to make at least one award in each area, there is no guarantee that this will be done, and EPA may redistribute the awards per area based on the quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. The first Priority Area is to provide technical assistance and training to assist rural, small and Tribal municipalities with planning, developing, and acquiring funding/financing of eligible projects described in [33 U.S.C. Section 1383(c)] so that they can achieve and maintain compliance with the CWA and to build their financial and managerial capacity over the long term. The second Priority Area is to provide technical assistance and training to assist small, rural, and Tribal publicly owned treatment works or decentralized wastewater systems with improving water quality and achieving and maintaining compliance, ensuring sustained operations and maintenance over the long run. For the third Priority Area, EPA is soliciting applications to provide technical assistance and training for Tribal communities to support them with planning and acquiring financing, and achieving and maintaining Clean Water Act Compliance. The fourth Priority Area is to provide technical assistance and training activities specifically and exclusively for decentralized systems to support them with planning and acquiring financing, and for technical, managerial, and financial capacity building.

Opportunity Overview:

This program funds Clean Water technical assistance providers who will provide support to rural, small, and Tribal municipalities and governments to return to compliance and to secure financing and funding for their Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) eligible projects, though applicants may support communities in applying for other financing and funding besides the CWSRF. The program supports these communities with protecting and maintaining water quality compliance while also tackling long-standing water quality and water infrastructure challenges.

Priority Areas: The EPA’s Office of Wastewater Management (OWM) mission is to protect public health and the environment by supporting the Clean Water Act and related statutes. OWM promotes effective and responsible wastewater treatment, disposal, infrastructure, and management and by encouraging the protection and restoration of watersheds. Awards made through this funding opportunity will increase the ability of Americans to access clean and safe water and strengthen water infrastructure. Activities will ensure that wastewater facilities and systems can be operated in a safe and efficient manner. These efforts should aim for measurable results, clearly showing tangible benefits in communities.

 Priority Areas

Priority Area 1 - Acquisition of Financing/Funding: Technical assistance and training for rural, small, and Tribal municipalities for planning, developing and acquisition of financing/funding for eligible projects and activities.

Priority Area 2 - Protect Water Quality and Compliance Assistance: Technical assistance and training for rural, small, and Tribal publicly owned treatment works and decentralized wastewater systems to help improve water quality and to achieve and maintain compliance.

Priority Area 3 - Tribal:

Technical assistance and training focused specifically on Tribes for planning, developing and acquisition of financing/funding, to help improve water quality and achieve and maintain compliance, and/or to support emerging contaminants project development.

Priority Area 4 - Decentralized Systems:

Information Dissemination, Technical Assistance and Training focused specifically on decentralized wastewater treatment systems to support planning, development and acquisition of financing.

 Maximum Number of Applications Allowed Per Organization: Under this competition, only one application may be submitted for each Priority Area per applicant. If an applicant submits more than one application for a single Priority Area, EPA will contact them before the review process begins to determine which application(s) will be withdrawn. If the applicant is unable to communicate a decision within two business days of being contacted by the EPA, the EPA will accept the application received by Grants.gov first. Additional information regarding the one application per applicant requirement may be found in the FAQ document

FOA is available online at: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362798                                                                                                                 

Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline: August 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM    

 Documents Needed for the Preproposals: 

  · Draft project summary/abstract of up to 2 pages; References do not count toward the 2-page limit.               

  · Biographical sketches for the PIs and Co-PIs (any format)              

  · List of collaborators and any other senior/key personnel, if any.

If assistance is needed to create the PDF, please contact Salvador Arellano III at salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu

 Internal Review Process: The Research Division in consultation with a review committee, will decide which pre-proposals will continue to the full proposal submission stage. Anonymized reviewer feedback will be provided to all PIs whose pre-proposals were considered by the review committee, following the announcement of the finalist selection.

Announcement of UTRGV Limited Submission Internal Competition     All PI-eligible UTRGV faculty/staff interested in submitting a proposal to the Limited Submission opportunity must submit the internal pre-proposal via Submittable platform (using single PDF document) by the deadline. Please see OSP Handbook, page 8, for PI eligibility details. Internal pre-proposals must comply with all instructions and address the criteria referenced in this announcement.   

Funding Opportunity Purpose: 

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to solicit applications for the Atopic Dermatitis Research Network (ADRN) program. The ADRN program will support Centers that integrate clinical and translational research to improve our understanding and management of atopic dermatitis with emphasis on chronic skin inflammation and the defense mechanisms of the skin. To assist public and private nonprofit institutions and individuals to establish, expand and improve biomedical research and research training in infectious diseases and related areas; to conduct developmental research, to produce and test research materials. To assist public, private and commercial institutions to conduct developmental research, to produce and test research materials, to provide research services as required by the agency for programs in infectious diseases, and controlling disease caused by infectious or parasitic agents, allergic and immunologic diseases and related areas. Projects range from studies of microbial physiology and antigenic structure to collaborative trials of experimental drugs and vaccines, mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics as well as research dealing with epidemiological observations in hospitalized patients or community populations and progress in allergic and immunologic diseases. Because of this dual focus, the program encompasses both basic research and clinical research. 

 Opportunity Overview: 

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory pruritic skin disease that affects approximately 11% of children and up to 9% of adults in the United States. AD is associated with defective skin barrier function as well as with several cutaneous immune abnormalities, including type 2 inflammation, decreased expression of antimicrobial peptides, and low numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. These abnormalities, several of which have been previously identified by the Atopic Dermatitis Research Network (ADRN), appear to translate into cutaneous defense defects given that patients with AD are more susceptible to certain viral (e.g., Herpes simplex, coxsackievirus) and bacterial (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) infections.

The extent of and the mechanisms responsible for the apparent defects in cutaneous host defense seen in AD patients are not fully defined; thus, effective therapies to reverse these defects are absent. Beyond its effects on cutaneous defenses, AD is associated with systemic inflammation and appears to be the first step in the development of other atopic conditions, including food allergy and asthma. Emerging evidence shows the occurrence of bidirectional signaling between the skin and gastrointestinal tracts via communications among the microbiota, epithelium, and immune system at these sites.

The ADRN program will support Centers that integrate clinical and translational research to further improve our understanding of chronic inflammatory and defense mechanisms of the skin by focusing on differences in skin structure/function and immune responses between patients with AD and either healthy individuals or disease controls. Research areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:

• Understanding the genetic variations, epigenetic alterations, signaling pathways, and protein and lipid modifications contributing to the evolution of epithelial barrier dysfunction in children and adults with AD.
• Evaluating the role of the skin microbiome in host defense, including the effects of pathogenic and therapeutic microbiome perturbations on cutaneous immunity and AD.
• Evaluating the immune and skin barrier impairments leading to cutaneous viral (e.g., Herpes simplex) and bacterial (e.g., S. aureus) infections.
• Comparing immune responses to cutaneous pathogens in AD versus other chronic or inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis or ichthyosis.
• Improving our knowledge of the skin-gut axis in the context of inflammation and altered immune responses in AD.
• Designing and conducting small, pilot clinical trials to prevent or improve AD and its chronic consequences on skin function and defenses in adults or children, as well as on the progression of chronic atopic diseases in children.

The focus of the ADRN is on human disease, with the majority of the proposed research defined as human subjects research or utilizing human material (including primary human cells, biologic samples, and clinical data). Studies using only transformed human cell lines will not satisfy this requirement. The ADRN will support limited animal research based on the need for experimentation that is not possible in humans or with human materials, with inclusion of new approach methodologies (NAMs) that utilize human samples or clinical datasets where feasible in lieu of animal models.

 Maximum Number of Applications Allowed Per Organization: Only one application per institution is allowed, as defined in Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.

 FOA is available online at: https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/62700bad-65de-48bf-8678-d5a0bf13203d/attachments/9e67125c-8b20-42ca-9ed5-fd5600f68927/RFA-AI-27-004-Full-Announcement.html

 Full Proposal Deadline: September 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Documents Needed for the Preproposals:

Submitters will complete and submit a form providing the following:

Draft project summary/abstract of up to 2 pages; References do not count toward the 2-page limit.    

Biographical sketches for the PIs and Co-PIs (any format);       

 List of collaborators and any other senior/key personnel, if any.

*If assistance is needed, please contact Salvador Arellano III at salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu

Internal Review Process: The Research Division in consultation with a review committee, will decide which pre-proposals will continue to the full proposal submission stage. Anonymized reviewer feedback will be provided to all PIs whose pre-proposals were considered by the review committee, following the announcement of the finalist selection.

Announcement of UTRGV Limited Submission Internal Competition     All PI-eligible UTRGV faculty/staff interested in submitting a proposal to the Limited Submission opportunity must submit the internal pre-proposal via Submittable platform (using single PDF document) by the deadline. Please see OSP Handbook, page 8, for PI eligibility details. Internal pre-proposals must comply with all instructions and address the criteria referenced in this announcement.   

Funding Opportunity Purpose: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is announcing the continuation of the Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program, referred to as Superfund Research Program (SRP) Centers. SRP Center grants will support problem-based, solution-oriented research Centers that consist of multiple, integrated projects representing both the biomedical and environmental science and engineering disciplines; as well as cores tasked with administrative (which includes Center leadership, data management, and training); translational research and engagement; and research support functions.  The scope of the SRP Centers is taken directly from the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, which limits competition for this program to accredited institutes of higher education.Please see Section III. Eligibility for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered for funding.

Funding Opportunity Goal(s)  To support innovative research and training through multi-project, interdisciplinary grants.  Areas of research may include: (1) advanced techniques for the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects of hazardous substances on human health; (2) methods to assess the risks to human health presented by hazardous substances; (3) methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in the environment; and (4) basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances

Opportunity Overview: The NIEHS invites qualified investigators from domestic institutions of higher education to submit an application for an SRP Center grant. SRP legislation, under SARA of 1986, allows NIEHS the flexibility to create university-based Centers to conduct research to address the wide array of scientific uncertainties facing the national Superfund program.  Per42 USC 9660 (a)(3)eligible applicants are limited to accredited institutes of higher education. Please see Section III. Eligibility for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered for funding. The complex problems related to sites impacted by hazardous substances requires the expertise of both biomedical research (BMR) and environmental science and engineering (ESE) disciplines. Applicants responding to this Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (NOFO) are expected to design a research Center that integrates BMR (e.g., toxicology, epidemiology, mechanistic studies) with ESE (e.g., remediation, geosciences, ecological sciences). The goal of a NIEHS SRP Center is to improve public health by supporting integrative, multidisciplinary research incorporating the following: responsiveness to mandates; problem-based, solution-oriented research; relevance to SRP and Superfund.

Maximum Number of Applications Allowed Per Organization: Specific to this NOFO: Only one application per institution is allowed,

FOA is available online at: https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/daffbf0f-45f1-423b-8b6d-e994db43ce08/attachments/34dc9d30-f07f-4e33-bebe-4eb30bd82666/RFA-ES-27-004-Full-Announcement.html

Internal Competition Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. 

Internal Competition Results Announced: September 04, 2026                                                                                                                                 Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline: September 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM      

Documents Needed for the Preproposals: 

Submitters will complete and submit a form providing the following:

• Draft project summary/abstract of up to 2 pages; References do not count toward the 2-page limit.    
• Biographical sketches for the PIs and Co-PIs (any format);       
•  List of collaborators and any other senior/key personnel, if any.

Change in application form: Since the limited submission process does not involve OSP assistance with budget development, we are now using a budget template in the Submittable form. This template is designed to capture a general overview of the budget. Additionally, we have included a budget justification section directly in the form, eliminating the need for applicants to upload separate budget documents with their pre-proposal materials.   

*If assistance is needed, please contact Salvador Arellano III at salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu. 

 Internal Review Process: The Research Division in consultation with a review committee, will decide which pre-proposals will continue to the full proposal submission stage. Anonymized reviewer feedback will be provided to all PIs whose pre-proposals were considered by the review committee, following the announcement of the finalist selection.

Announcement of UTRGV Limited Submission Internal Competition     All PI-eligible UTRGV faculty/staff interested in submitting a proposal to the Limited Submission opportunity must submit the internal pre-proposal via Submittable platform (using single PDF document) by the deadline. Please see OSP Handbook, page 8, for PI eligibility details. Internal pre-proposals must comply with all instructions and address the criteria referenced in this announcement.   

Funding Opportunity Purpose: The goal of the Institutional Biomedical Undergraduate Research Training (BURT) program is to strengthen research training environments and develop a pool of well-trained students who:

• Complete their baccalaureate degrees in biomedically-related fields, and
• Transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (such as Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.).

 This notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a Limited Competition invites applications from eligible organizations to apply. Please see Section III. Eligibility for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the applications will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious applications will be considered. This funding announcement provides support to eligible, domestic organizations to develop and implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to biomedical undergraduate training and mentoring to help build a strong biomedical research workforce for the nation.

Applicant organizations must enroll undergraduate students and have received NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding averaging less than $50 million in total costs (direct and F&A/indirect) per year over the last three fiscal years (FY). To promote undergraduate research training opportunities across a range of eligible organizations, the program will accept applications in two tracks:

• Single Site: To support trainees from a single baccalaureate-degree granting organization.
• Community College Partnerships: To support community college trainee development through strong collaborations between at least one associate-degree granting organization (that is, a community college) and at least one baccalaureate-degree granting organization.

The proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, and career development elements to prepare trainees for careers that will have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the nation.

Opportunity Overview: The overall goal of the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program is to help ensure that a pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the Nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. Each NIGMS-funded NRSA program is expected to provide a rigorous, well-designed research training program that includes mentored research experiences, courses, seminars, and additional training opportunities to equip trainees with the following skills required for careers in the biomedical research workforce:

• Technical (for example, appropriate methods, technologies, and quantitative/computational approaches).
• Operational (for example, independent knowledge acquisition, rigorous experimental design, interpretation of data, and conducting research in the safest manner possible).
• Professional (for example, management, leadership, communication, and teamwork).

Developing a highly skilled biomedical research workforce is essential to strengthening the nation’s economic competitiveness and improving public health. Undergraduate education is key to pursuing a career in the biomedical research workforce, and over 45% of undergraduate students begin their education at associate-degree granting organizations (that is, community colleges). Structured research training programs that provide financial support, high quality mentoring, robust networks, authentic research experiences and opportunities for skills development lead to improved biomedical degree completion rates and enhanced commitment to a research career. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop research training programs to effectively support the skills and career development of undergraduate students.

Maximum Number of Applications Allowed Per Organization: Specific to this NOFO: NIGMS will accept only one application, and support only one award, per applicant organization.

FOA is available online at: https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/d88aea72-290a-4396-83ba-139886a6ffc8/attachments/e59a911d-8bc5-483a-a7e0-0d1ac27bff83/PAR-26-033-Full-Announcement.html

Internal Competition Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. 

Internal Competition Results Announced: September 04, 2026                                                                                                                                 Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline: September 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM        

Documents Needed for the Preproposals: 

Submitters will complete and submit a form providing the following:

• Draft project summary/abstract of up to 2 pages; References do not count toward the 2-page limit.    
• Biographical sketches for the PIs and Co-PIs (any format);       
•  List of collaborators and any other senior/key personnel, if any.

Change in application form: Since the limited submission process does not involve OSP assistance with budget development, we are now using a budget template in the Submittable form. This template is designed to capture a general overview of the budget. Additionally, we have included a budget justification section directly in the form, eliminating the need for applicants to upload separate budget documents with their pre-proposal materials.   

*If assistance is needed, please contact Salvador Arellano III at salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu. 

 Internal Review Process: The Research Division in consultation with a review committee, will decide which pre-proposals will continue to the full proposal submission stage. Anonymized reviewer feedback will be provided to all PIs whose pre-proposals were considered by the review committee, following the announcement of the finalist selection.

Announcement of UTRGV Limited Submission Internal Competition     All PI-eligible UTRGV faculty/staff interested in submitting a proposal to the Limited Submission opportunity must submit the internal pre-proposal via Submittable platform (using single PDF document) by the deadline. Please see OSP Handbook, page 8, for PI eligibility details. Internal pre-proposals must comply with all instructions and address the criteria referenced in this announcement.   

Funding Opportunity Purpose: The goal of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is to develop a pool of well-trained clinician-scientist leaders available to address the nation’s biomedical research needs. Specifically, this funding announcement provides support to eligible, domestic organizations to develop and implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to dual-degree training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the biomedical research enterprise and lead to the completion of both a clinical degree (for example, M.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S., Pharm.D., etc.) and a research doctorate degree (Ph.D.).  

With the dual qualifications of a rigorous scientist and clinician, graduates will be equipped with the skills to develop research programs that accelerate the translation of research advances to the understanding, detection, treatment, and prevention of human disease, and to lead the advancement of biomedical research.  Areas of particular importance to NIGMS are optimizing training efficiency, fostering the persistence of alumni in research careers, and enhancing the clinician-scientist workforce.  NIGMS expects that the proposed research training program will incorporate didactic, research, mentoring and career development elements to prepare trainees for careers that will have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the nation.

Opportunity Overview: The overall goal of the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program is to help ensure that a pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. More information about NRSA programs may be found at the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award website. The NRSA program has been the primary means of supporting predoctoral and postdoctoral research training programs since enactment of the NRSA legislation in 1974. 

Each NIGMS-funded MSTP award is expected to provide a rigorous, well-designed research training program that includes mentored research experiences, courses, seminars, and additional training opportunities that equip clinician scientists with the following skills required for careers in the biomedical research workforce:

• Technical (for example, appropriate methods, technologies, and quantitative/computational approaches).
• Operational (for example, independent knowledge acquisition, rigorous experimental design, interpretation of data, and conducting research in the safest manner possible).
• Professional (for example, management, leadership, communication, and teamwork).

Through this funding announcement, NIGMS encourages changes in integrated clinical and graduate research training to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the biomedical research enterprise, which is increasingly complex, interdisciplinary, quantitative, and collaborative. Other changes in the biomedical research enterprise include the approaches utilized to investigate clinically relevant research questions, and the range of careers that dual-degree recipients are pursuing. Additionally, there is an increasing recognition of the need to enhance reproducibility of biomedical research results through scientific rigor and transparency, and to promote a culture where the highest standards of practice are used to ensure the safety of all individuals in the research environment. This funding opportunity is intended to encourage and enable the scientific community to develop and implement evidence-informed approaches to biomedical research training and mentoring that will effectively train future, rigorous clinician scientists to become leaders in biomedical research and clinical medicine.

Programs are encouraged not to simply layer additional activities onto existing structures but to instead use creative and transformational approaches to integrate clinical and biomedical graduate training, including curricular reform, that preserve the best elements of current programs, while enhancing the focus on the development of trainee skills.

NIGMS strives to ensure that future researchers will be drawn from the entire pool of potential contributors and seeks to support individuals at multiple training and career stages in a variety of organizations and educational settings across the country. The Overarching Objective of the MSTP is to develop a pool of well-trained clinician scientists (that is, a Ph.D. combined with a clinical degree, such as an M.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S., Pharm.D., etc.) who have the following:

• A broad understanding across biomedical disciplines.
• The skills to independently acquire the knowledge needed to advance their chosen fields and careers.
• The ability to think critically and identify important biomedical research questions and approaches that push forward the boundaries of their areas of study.
• A strong foundation in scientific reasoning, rigorous research design, experimental methods, quantitative and computational approaches, and data analysis and interpretation.
• The skills to conduct research in the safest manner possible, and a commitment to approaching and conducting biomedical research responsibly, ethically, and with integrity.
• Experience initiating, conducting, interpreting, and presenting rigorous and reproducible biomedical research with increasing self-direction.
• The ability to utilize clinical experience and observations to identify biomedical research questions and to develop impactful research programs that push forward the boundaries of their areas of study.
• The skills necessary to integrate research and clinical activities and the capacity to translate scientific research findings into clinical practice.
• The ability and skills to lead changes that promote health for all, reduce health disparities and improve the health of those medically underserved across diseases, disorders, and conditions.
• The ability to work effectively in teams with colleagues from a variety of scientific backgrounds, and to promote safe and supportive scientific research environments.
• The skills to teach and communicate scientific methodologies and findings to a wide variety of audiences (for example, discipline-specific, across disciplines, and for the public).
• The knowledge, professional skills and experiences required to identify and transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce that utilize the dual-degrees (for example, the breadth of careers that sustain biomedical research in areas that are relevant to the NIH mission)

Maximum Number of Applications Allowed Per Organization: Specific to this NOFO: NIGMS will accept only one MSTP application per institution. 

FOA is available online at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-128.html

Internal Competition Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. 

Internal Competition Results Announced: September 04, 2026                                                                                                                                 Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline: September 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM   

Documents Needed for the Preproposals: 

Submitters will complete and submit a form providing the following:

• Draft project summary/abstract of up to 2 pages; References do not count toward the 2-page limit.    
• Biographical sketches for the PIs and Co-PIs (any format);       
•  List of collaborators and any other senior/key personnel, if any.

Change in application form: Since the limited submission process does not involve OSP assistance with budget development, we are now using a budget template in the Submittable form. This template is designed to capture a general overview of the budget. Additionally, we have included a budget justification section directly in the form, eliminating the need for applicants to upload separate budget documents with their pre-proposal materials.   

*If assistance is needed, please contact Salvador Arellano III at salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu. 

 Internal Review Process: The Research Division in consultation with a review committee, will decide which pre-proposals will continue to the full proposal submission stage. Anonymized reviewer feedback will be provided to all PIs whose pre-proposals were considered by the review committee, following the announcement of the finalist selection.

Announcement of UTRGV Limited Submission Internal Competition     All PI-eligible UTRGV faculty/staff interested in submitting a proposal to the Limited Submission opportunity must submit the internal pre-proposal via Submittable platform (using single PDF document) by the deadline. Please see OSP Handbook, page 8, for PI eligibility details. Internal pre-proposals must comply with all instructions and address the criteria referenced in this announcement.   

Funding Opportunity Purpose: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for a Research Coordinating Center (RCC) to participate in a new consortium with clinical centers that will test anti-obesity medication (AOM) treatment strategies for youth with obesity that maximize benefits and minimize risks of AOM use. Such intervention strategies should support the promotion of healthy growth and development; adequate nutritional status/intake, healthy eating and physical activity behaviors; mental health and well-being (e.g., body image, self-esteem, mood, etc.), and quality of life and be feasible to implement in clinical care settings. Priority areas include testing strategies to determine optimal developmental stage for AOM initiation, rate and amount of weight loss, AOM class, dose, frequency, and duration, and content and intensity of adjunct lifestyle therapies that may be imperative to ensure normal psychological and physical development and to potentially avoid lifelong dependence on AOMs. Investigators should also evaluate potential predictors of response/ nonresponse to various treatment strategies under evaluation. The clinical centers may conduct independent or multicenter trials but will collaborate on the development of protocols, use of common measures and data elements, use of a central laboratory and standardized procedures to collect data and biospecimens, and data analyses and manuscripts

The RCC will lead, manage, and harmonize efforts for the Consortium including 1) providing management and administrative support; 2) providing leadership and expertise on statistical design and analysis, 3) providing research coordination with a central laboratory, 4) harmonizing data collection methods and use of common data elements, 5) developing the database; 6) conducting data management and data analyses for Consortium studies; and 7) fostering research collaborations. 

Funding Opportunity Goal(s)  To support innovative research and training through multi-project, interdisciplinary grants.  Areas of research may include: (1) advanced techniques for the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects of hazardous substances on human health; (2) methods to assess the risks to human health presented by hazardous substances; (3) methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in the environment; and (4) basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances

Opportunity Overview: Childhood obesity is common and increasing. In the United States, about 21% of children and teens have obesity. Obesity in children is linked to serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, liver disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and mental health concerns and many continue to have obesity as adults. Because of this, finding safe and effective treatments for children with obesity is very important.

After many years of research, obesity is still hard to treat. Healthy eating and physical activity programs are the main treatments, but they must be very intense and frequent to lower Body Mass Index (BMI). Even then, weight loss is often small, does not last, and many children do not see meaningful improvement. These programs are also hard to access, especially for low-income families and those in rural areas. For children with severe obesity, weight-loss surgery can lead to larger and longer-lasting weight loss. However, some people regain weight over time, and these surgeries are invasive and require lifelong medical care.

Since 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three weight loss medications liraglutide, semaglutide, and phentermine/topiramate for long term weight management in children ages 12 years and older with obesity. Research shows that these newer medications can greatly lower BMI and average weight loss can be close to what is seen with weight loss surgery. These medications also improve blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. However, weight loss can vary widely between children, ranging from 5% to 20% or more of their BMI. As with lifestyle programs and surgery, there is no clear way to predict which children will respond best to these medications.

In 2023, the American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines recommending weight loss medications to be used along with intensive healthy behavior and lifestyle treatment. However, there is still limited evidence to help doctors make the best treatment decisions. Stopping these medications often leads to weight regain, and long term treatment may be needed. Short term studies show that these medications are generally safe and well tolerated, with mostly gastrointestinal side effects, but long term safety is still unknown. Newer weight loss medications also strongly reduce hunger and increase fullness, leading to rapid and substantial weight loss. This raises important unanswered questions on optimal and safe use of AOMs in youth, including what intensity of behavioral/lifestyle intervention is needed while on AOMs, whether patients maintain adequate nutrient intake and healthy eating behaviors during treatment, and the impact on body composition during growth and development. Well-designed studies are needed to help guide how to use these medications safely and effectively in clinical practice and to understand their long term safety in children.

Maximum Number of Applications Allowed Per Organization: Specific to this NOFO: Only one application per institution is allowed, as defined in Part 2, Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.

FOA is available online at: https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/86e848c2-6ff6-4b35-a18b-bc2d031f81c1/attachments/653d9dd8-4b1a-4938-b7ba-faa8915d06d6/RFA-DK-27-136-Full-Announcement.html

Internal Competition Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. 

Internal Competition Results Announced: September 04, 2026                                                                                                                                 Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline: October 09, 2026, at 5:00 PM   

Documents Needed for the Preproposals: 

Submitters will complete and submit a form providing the following:

• Draft project summary/abstract of up to 2 pages; References do not count toward the 2-page limit.    
• Biographical sketches for the PIs and Co-PIs (any format);       
•  List of collaborators and any other senior/key personnel, if any.

Change in application form: Since the limited submission process does not involve OSP assistance with budget development, we are now using a budget template in the Submittable form. This template is designed to capture a general overview of the budget. Additionally, we have included a budget justification section directly in the form, eliminating the need for applicants to upload separate budget documents with their pre-proposal materials.   

*If assistance is needed, please contact Salvador Arellano III at salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu. 

 Internal Review Process: The Research Division in consultation with a review committee, will decide which pre-proposals will continue to the full proposal submission stage. Anonymized reviewer feedback will be provided to all PIs whose pre-proposals were considered by the review committee, following the announcement of the finalist selection.

Announcement of UTRGV Limited Submission Internal Competition     All PI-eligible UTRGV faculty/staff interested in submitting a proposal to the Limited Submission opportunity must submit the internal pre-proposal via Submittable platform (using single PDF document) by the deadline. Please see OSP Handbook, page 8, for PI eligibility details. Internal pre-proposals must comply with all instructions and address the criteria referenced in this announcement.   

Funding Opportunity Purpose: 

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications from institutions/organizations that propose to establish core centers that are part of an integrated and existing program of nutrition and/or obesity research. The Nutrition Obesity Research Centers (NORC) program is designed to support and enhance the national research effort in nutrition and obesity. NORCs support three primary research-related activities: Research Core services, a Pilot and Feasibility (P and F) program, and a Scientific Catalyst program. All activities pursued by Nutrition Obesity Research Centers are designed to enhance the efficiency, productivity, effectiveness, and multidisciplinary nature of research in nutrition and obesity. To promote extramural basic and clinical biomedical research that improves the understanding of the mechanisms underlying disease and leads to improved preventions, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes, digestive, and kidney diseases. Programmatic areas within the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases include diabetes, digestive, endocrine, hematologic, liver, metabolic, nephrologic, nutrition, obesity, and urologic diseases.

 Opportunity Overview: 

This NOFO invites applications for Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) grants to support research in nutrition and/or obesity. The mission of the NORC program is to serve as a key component of the NIDDK-supported research effort to advance nutrition and obesity research inclusive of advancing basic science research, clinical studies and implementation research, and stakeholder engagement as well as the goal of strengthening biomedical research workforce training. 

To accomplish this mission, the NORCs:

• Create an environment that supports important and innovative research;
• Attract and retain early-stage investigators and investigators new to nutrition/obesity research;
• Provide core services that leverage funding and unique expertise;
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations, especially in emerging areas of research, to catalyze new ideas and scientific approaches;
• Raise awareness and interest in fundamental and clinical nutrition and/or obesity research at their institutions, as well as locally, regionally, and nationally;
• Promote the translation of scientific discoveries from bench to bedside to the community to improve public health; and
• Enhance nutrition and obesity research education and training opportunities.

 Maximum Number of Applications Allowed Per Organization: Only one application per institution is allowed, as defined in Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.

 FOA is available online at: https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/cb36f642-f92b-4b27-9bc8-47440c03eb09/attachments/5c4fbb52-415a-459c-a6c6-7c427079b6cb/RFA-DK-27-120-Full-Announcement.html

 Full Proposal Deadline: October 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Documents Needed for the Preproposals:

Submitters will complete and submit a form providing the following:

Draft project summary/abstract of up to 2 pages; References do not count toward the 2-page limit.    

Biographical sketches for the PIs and Co-PIs (any format);       

 List of collaborators and any other senior/key personnel, if any.

*If assistance is needed, please contact Salvador Arellano III at salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu

Internal Review Process: The Research Division in consultation with a review committee, will decide which pre-proposals will continue to the full proposal submission stage. Anonymized reviewer feedback will be provided to all PIs whose pre-proposals were considered by the review committee, following the announcement of the finalist selection.

Announcement of UTRGV Limited Submission Internal Competition     All PI-eligible UTRGV faculty/staff interested in submitting a proposal to the Limited Submission opportunity must submit the internal pre-proposal via Submittable platform (using single PDF document) by the deadline. Please see OSP Handbook, page 8, for PI eligibility details. Internal pre-proposals must comply with all instructions and address the criteria referenced in this announcement.   

Funding Opportunity Purpose: This funding opportunity provides support for a National Center for Construction Safety and Health Research and Translation (National Construction Center) to address the significant and varied burden of work-related injuries and illnesses in the U.S. construction industry. The NIOSH National Construction Center serves as a national leader in construction research, implementation, and dissemination of scientific discoveries to benefit construction workers by working to prevent or reduce work-related injuries and illnesses. The NIOSH National Construction Center recipient will address both regional and national construction worker safety and health issues and prioritize the creation, dissemination, and widespread use of evidence-based solutions to address the most critical safety and health problems in the construction industry. Furthermore, the NIOSH National Construction Center will establish a publicly accessible online repository for research data, indicators, and research-to-practice materials and products. The overarching goal of the National Construction Center is to reduce adverse construction worker health and safety outcomes by studying, developing, and implementing evidence-based practices and solutions.

Applications for this funding opportunity should have a national scope for research, implementation, dissemination, and related activities described in this announcement. The proposed projects should aim to achieve the following objectives: 1) reducing and preventing construction worker exposures to safety and health hazards, 2) improving the safety culture and safety climate within the construction industry, 3) applying prevention through design, the hierarchy of controls, and emerging technologies where appropriate to address industry hazards, and 4) widely disseminating best practices and other information for use by workers, employers, contractors, and site owners. The National Construction Center is expected to work closely with NIOSH construction program leadership, academic and research partners, and other organizations to advance research integration and inform best practices and effective worksite solutions in the U.S. construction industry. Applicants should clearly describe how the intended outcomes of the proposed work will contribute to the specified goals in NIOSH's Strategic Plan and, in the NIOSH Priority Goals for Extramural Research.

Opportunity Overview: 

consider the required and optional components essential to the National Construction Center function, detailed below, in providing an overall description of the proposed Center, addressing 1) the burden of occupational injuries and illnesses for the construction sector, 2) the national need for the Center’s proposed programs and projects, and 3) the Center’s impact, or potential for impact, on construction worker health and safety.

To effectively address the purpose and scope of this NOFO, the following required components will enable the Center to cohesively address established goals and objectives for providing impact:

• Planning, Administration, and Evaluation Core
• Construction Industry Data and Statistical Core
• Communication, Outreach, and Education Core
• Research-to-Practice Core
• Applied Research Projects (collectively, the Applied Research Core)

Planning, Administration, and Evaluation Core (up to 20% of total costs/year). The purpose of this core is to 1) provide oversight, leadership, and management for the Center, including establishment and maintenance of advisory committees; 2) engage in long-range planning, coordination, and implementation of work that crosses multiple cores, programs or projects; and 3) develop and assist in implementing evaluation efforts at the Center, core, program and project levels.

Construction Industry Data and Statistical Core (up to 10% of total costs/year). This core acquires, analyzes, interprets and disseminates data, indicators, and important changes/trends within and impacting the construction sector. The types of data can include construction related injury, illness, disability, deaths, industry characteristics, advances in methods, equipment, or technologies, as well as indicators such as employment and demographic economic variables.

Communication, Outreach, and Education Core (up to 10% of total costs). The purpose of this core is to ensure that evidence-based approaches, technologies, guidelines, policies, best practices, or similar activities that are known to be effective are promoted and disseminated to benefit workers and their associated work environments. This core develops partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders to help ensure that research outputs, outcomes, and impacts can be disseminated widely. A variety of pathways should be used, such as live meetings, webinars, websites, and social media.

Research-to-Practice Core (up to 30% of total costs/year). This core ensures a systematic approach focused on the use, adoption, and adaptation of interventions and technologies that translate research findings into practice to reduce and eliminate occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the construction sector. The purpose of this core is to bridge the gap between research and practice by effectively integrating knowledge, interventions, and technologies into workplace policies, procedures, and practices.

Applied Research Core (up to 30% of total costs/year). This core consists of a variety of individual research projects that address burden, need, and impact to improve occupational safety and health in the construction sector. Applied research builds the evidence base for effective prevention and intervention practices.

Guidance has been provided for the approximate budget allocation expected for each core. Applicants may request, with justification, more or less funding for any of the cores, provided they do not exceed the total costs allowed under this NOFO.

Applicants are encouraged to propose a pilot studies subprogram as part of the Planning, Administration, and Evaluation Core or the Research-to-Practice Core. Provide a clear description of the program within the appropriate core and fully justify the requested budget. All laws and regulations related to federal funding will apply. NIOSH will neither peer-review individual pilot project proposals nor make available an institutional review board for that purpose.

Maximum Number of Applications Allowed Per Organization:   Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique UEI number) is allowed.

FOA is available online at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OH-24-001.html

Internal Competition Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m

Internal Competition Results Announced: September 04, 2026                                                                                                                         

Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline: October 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM      

Documents Needed for the Preproposals: 

Submitters will complete and submit a form providing the following:

• Draft project summary/abstract of up to 2 pages; References do not count toward the 2-page limit.    
• Biographical sketches for the PIs and Co-PIs (any format);       
•  List of collaborators and any other senior/key personnel, if any.

Change in application form: Since the limited submission process does not involve OSP assistance with budget development, we are now using a budget template in the Submittable form. This template is designed to capture a general overview of the budget. Additionally, we have included a budget justification section directly in the form, eliminating the need for applicants to upload separate budget documents with their pre-proposal materials.   

*If assistance is needed, please contact Salvador Arellano III at salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu. 

 Internal Review Process: The Research Division in consultation with a review committee, will decide which pre-proposals will continue to the full proposal submission stage. Anonymized reviewer feedback will be provided to all PIs whose pre-proposals were considered by the review committee, following the announcement of the finalist selection.