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Department of Health and Human Services

MATERNAL, INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOMEVISITING GRANT PROGRAM - THE NEW JERSEY (NJ) MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING (MIECHV) PROGRAM, ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (NJ DOH) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF), IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH OUTCOMES AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE. THE NJ MIECHV PROGRAM HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN EXPANDING SERVICES, STRENGTHENING ITS WORKFORCE, AND ENHANCING DATA SYSTEMS TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST QUALITY SERVICE DELIVERY. IN FY24, THE PROGRAM EXPANDED SERVICES BY ADDING 281 SLOTS ACROSS FOUR COUNTIES, REACHING 1,811 FAMILIES IN 16 AT-RISK COUNTIES. IN YEAR 2 OF FY25, UTILIZING NON-FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS, MIECHV WILL EXPAND TO FIVE ADDITIONAL COUNTIES—CAPE MAY, CUMBERLAND, GLOUCESTER, SALEM, AND MONMOUTH—ADDING 288 NEW SLOTS THROUGH THE PARENTS AS TEACHERS (PAT) MODEL VIA FOUR EXISTING LOCAL IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES (LIAS). WITH THIS EXPANSION, NJ MIECHV WILL OFFER A TOTAL OF 2,099 HOME VISITING SLOTS, ACHIEVING FULL COVERAGE ACROSS ALL 21 NJ COUNTIES. TO ACHIEVE THESE EXPANSION GOALS, NJ MIECHV IS CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN ITS WORKFORCE THROUGH ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN COHORTS 1 AND 2 OF THE COORDINATED STATEWIDE EVALUATION (CSE). IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM REMAINS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING DATA SYSTEMS AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING. RECENT ENHANCEMENTS TO DATA TRACKING AND REPORTING HAVE RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN DATA MISSINGNESS AND IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY OUTCOMES. THESE IMPROVEMENTS ENABLE BETTER ALIGNMENT WITH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND SUPPORT DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING TO OPTIMIZE SERVICE COORDINATION AND CLIENT OUTCOMES. WHILE PROGRESS HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT, CHALLENGES REMAIN, SUCH AS FLUCTUATIONS IN HOME VISITOR STAFFING AND THE INTEGRATION OF DATA SYSTEMS ACROSS VARIOUS HOME VISITING MODELS. THE PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THESE THROUGH TARGETED RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STRATEGIES. NJ MIECHV WILL CONTINUE MEETING THE GROWING DEMAND FOR SERVICES AND FOCUS ON CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES RECEIVE THE SUPPORT NEEDED FOR POSITIVE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH OUTCOMES. NJ’S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: GOAL 1: EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY MIECHV HOME VISITING SERVICES FOR AT-RISK FAMILIES ACROSS NEW JERSEY. OBJECTIVE 1.1: ADD 281 NEW SERVICE SLOTS UTILIZING FOUR EXISTING LIAS. OBJECTIVE 1.2: MONITOR SERVICE DELIVERY IN EXPANDED AREAS AND ENSURE CASELOAD TARGETS ARE MET (85%). OBJECTIVE 1.3: CONDUCT ONGOING MONITORING AND ADJUSTMENTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN NEWLY EXPANDED COUNTIES. GOAL 2: STRENGTHEN AND RETAIN A WELL-TRAINED, COMPETENT HOME VISITING WORKFORCE. OBJECTIVE 2.1: PROVIDE ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOCUSED TRAINING. OBJECTIVE 2.2: ENHANCE WORKFORCE SATISFACTION AND RETENTION THROUGH COORDINATED STATE EVALUATION COHORTS 1 & 2. OBJECTIVE 2.3: RECRUIT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED STAFF WITH A FOCUS ON COMMUNITY ALIGNMENT AND UTILIZING HOME VISITING DASHBOARD DATA. GOAL 3: ENHANCE COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION ACROSS THE MIECHV SYSTEM. OBJECTIVE 3.1: CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION AND STREAMLINE MIECHV SERVICE DELIVERY. OBJECTIVE 3.2: ENSURE ADEQUATE INCOMING REFERRALS. OBJECTIVE 3.3: IMPLEMENT INTEGRATED HOME VISITING DATA DASHBOARDS TO MONITOR PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS AND REFERRALS. GOAL 4: IMPROVE DATA QUALITY AND USE OF APR AND PERFORMANCE METRICS TO ENHANCE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH OUTCOMES. OBJECTIVE 5.1: MONITOR HRSA ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT (APR) AND KEY MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH MEASURES. OBJECTIVE 5.2: DISAGGREGATE DATA BY SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS TO IDENTIFY NEEDS. OBJECTIVE 5.3: UPDATE DATA MISSINGNESS GUIDES TO REDUCE DATA MISSINGNESS. GOAL 5: IMPLEMENT THE FY25 CQI PLAN TO ENHANCE SERVICE DELIVERY AND INCREASE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT. OBJECTIVE 6.1: PARTNER WITH JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY FOR DATA ANALYSIS AND PROGRAM ASSESSMENT. OBJECTIVE 6.2: COLLABORATE WITH FHI AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO BETTER COORDINATE SERVICES.

U.S. National Science Foundation

The primary aim of the Mathematical Sciences Infrastructure Program is to foster the continuing health of the mathematical sciences research community as a whole. In addition,the program complements the Workforce Program in the Mathematical Sciences in its goal to increase the number of well-prepared U.S. based individuals who successfully pursue careers in the mathematical sciences and in other professions in which expertise in the mathematical sciences plays an increasingly important role. The DMS Infrastructure program invites projects that support core research in the mathematical sciences, including: 1) novel projects supporting research infrastructure across the mathematical sciences community; 2) training projects complementing the Workforce Program, and 3) conference, workshop, and travel support requests that include cross-disciplinary activities or have an impact at the national scale. Proposals under this solicitation submitted to DMS Infrastructure must show engagement in developing or enhancing the mathematical sciences research infrastructure in the U.S., including, but not limited to, broadening participation activities; professional development training; or involvement of students and early career researchers. Proposals must explain the regional or national scale impact of the activity that goes substantially beyond the submitting institution or the location of the event. Full proposals (with exception of conference proposals, which are subject to lead-time requirements) must be submitted close to one of the Full Proposal Target Dates. See below for more information about each category of Infrastructure projects. (1)Novel projects that serve to strengthen the research infrastructure: The DMS Infrastructure Program will consider novel projects that support and strengthen the research infrastructure across the mathematical sciences community. These projects most often cut across multiple sub-disciplines supported by DMS or involve interdisciplinary collaborations. The main goal of these projects should be to create a new research infrastructure or substantially enhance or transform an existing infrastructure with regional or national impact that goes substantially beyond the submitting institution or the location of the project. Full proposals must be submitted by the Full ProposalTarget Date. (2)Training projects: Training proposals submitted to DMS Infrastructure must not fit into one of the areas covered by solicitations in the Workforce Program in the Mathematical Sciences; they must be submitted by the Full ProposalTarget Date; and they must: A. Include a core research component for trainees in mathematical sciences; B. Demonstrate promise for an impact at the regional or national scale that goes substantially beyond the submitting institution or the location of the project; C. Satisfy at least one of the following criteria: i. Serve as models to be replicated,ii. Promote partnerships with non-academic entities, minority-serving institutions, or community colleges, oriii. Include a substantial broadening participation initiative. In addition, all proposals of this type must clearly identify: Goals to be achieved; Specific new activities to be conducted, the way in which these address the goals, and the way in which the activities significantly differ from or enhance common practice; Measurable outcomes for the project; Plans and methods for assessment of progress toward the goals to be achieved, and for evaluation of the success of the activity; Recruitment, selection, and retention plans for participants, including members of underrepresented groups; Sustainability plans to continue the pursuit of the project's goals when funding terminates; and A budget commensurate with the proposed activity. 3) Conferences, Symposia, Working Research Sessions, Travel Support Requests: Principal Investigators should carefully read the program solicitationConferences and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciencesto obtain important information regarding the substance of proposals for conferences, workshops, summer/winter schools, international travel support, and similar activities.Conference/workshop proposals that concern topics within a particular subdiscipline of mathematics or statistics should be submitted to the appropriate DMS disciplinary program(s). These submissions are subject to the lead-time requirements specified by the disciplinary program(s); see the program web pages listed on theDMS home page. Conference/workshop proposals may be submitted to the DMS Infrastructure program only if the intended topical areas span a wide range of the mathematical sciences and are consequently not within the scope of DMS disciplinary programs. The required lead time for submission of such proposals is: 6 months in advance of the meeting date for proposals requesting no more than $50,000 to support a domestic meeting; 9 months in advance of the meeting date for proposals requesting more than $50,000 to support a domestic meeting; 12 months in advance of the meeting date for proposals requesting support for participation in a meeting taking place outside the United States.

U.S. National Science Foundation

The primary aim of the Mathematical Sciences Infrastructure Program is to foster the continuing health of the mathematical sciences research community as a whole. In addition,the program complements the <a title="DMS Workforce" href="https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503233" target="_blank">Workforce Program in the Mathematical Sciences</a> in its goal to increase the number of well-prepared U.S. based individuals who successfully pursue careers in the mathematical sciences and in other professions in which expertise in the mathematical sciences plays an increasingly important role. The DMS Infrastructure program invites projects that support core research in the mathematical sciences, including: 1) novel projects supporting research infrastructure across the mathematical sciences community; 2) training projects complementing the Workforce Program, and 3) conference, workshop, and travel support requests that include cross-disciplinary activities or have an impact at the national scale. Proposals under this solicitation submitted to DMS Infrastructure must show engagement in developing or enhancing the mathematical sciences research infrastructure in the U.S., including, but not limited to, broadening participation activities; professional development training; or involvement of students and early career researchers. Proposals must explain the regional or national scale impact of the activity that goes substantially beyond the submitting institution or the location of the event. Full proposals (with exception of conference proposals, which are subject to lead-time requirements) must be submitted close to one of the Full Proposal Target Dates. See below for more information about each category of Infrastructure projects. (1)Novel projects that serve to strengthen the research infrastructure: The DMS Infrastructure Program will consider novel projects that support and strengthen the research infrastructure across the mathematical sciences community. These projects most often cut across multiple sub-disciplines supported by DMS or involve interdisciplinary collaborations. The main goal of these projects should be to create a new research infrastructure or substantially enhance or transform an existing infrastructure with regional or national impact that goes substantially beyond the submitting institution or the location of the project. Full proposals must be submitted by the Full ProposalTarget Date. (2)Training projects: Training proposals submitted to DMS Infrastructure must not fit into one of the areas covered by solicitations in the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="DMS Workforce" href="https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503233" target="_blank">Workforce Program in the Mathematical Sciences</a></span>; they must be submitted by the Full ProposalTarget Date; and they must: <p style="padding-left: 30px;">A. Include a core research component for trainees in mathematical sciences; <p style="padding-left: 30px;">B. Demonstrate promise for an impact at the regional or national scale that goes substantially beyond the submitting institution or the location of the project; <p style="padding-left: 30px;">C. Satisfy at least one of the following criteria: <p style="padding-left: 60px;">i. Serve as models to be replicated,<br />ii. Promote partnerships with non-academic entities, minority-serving institutions, or community colleges, or<br />iii. Include a substantial broadening participation initiative. In addition, all proposals of this type must clearly identify: <ul> <li>Goals to be achieved;</li> <li>Specific new activities to be conducted, the way in which these address the goals, and the way in which the activities significantly differ from or enhance common practice;</li> <li>Measurable outcomes for the project;</li> <li>Plans and methods for assessment of progress toward the goals to be achieved, and for evaluation of the success of the activity;</li> <li>Recruitment, selection, and retention plans for participants, including members of underrepresented groups;</li> <li>Sustainability plans to continue the pursuit of the project's goals when funding terminates; and</li> <li>A budget commensurate with the proposed activity.</li> </ul> 3) Conferences, Symposia, Working Research Sessions, Travel Support Requests: Principal Investigators should carefully read the program solicitation<a title="DMS Conferences and Workshop Program Page" href="https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=11701" target="_blank">Conferences and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciences</a>to obtain important information regarding the substance of proposals for conferences, workshops, summer/winter schools, international travel support, and similar activities.Conference/workshop proposals that concern topics within a particular subdiscipline of mathematics or statistics should be submitted to the appropriate DMS disciplinary program(s). These submissions are subject to the lead-time requirements specified by the disciplinary program(s); see the program web pages listed on the<a title="Division of Mathematical Sciences" href="https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=DMS" target="_blank">DMS home page</a>. Conference/workshop proposals may be submitted to the DMS Infrastructure program only if the intended topical areas span a wide range of the mathematical sciences and are consequently not within the scope of DMS disciplinary programs. The required lead time for submission of such proposals is: <ul> <li>6 months in advance of the meeting date for proposals requesting no more than $50,000 to support a domestic meeting;</li> <li>9 months in advance of the meeting date for proposals requesting more than $50,000 to support a domestic meeting;</li> <li>12 months in advance of the meeting date for proposals requesting support for participation in a meeting taking place outside the United States.</li> </ul>

NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) are public health problems in the United States with stark sex differences in prevalence and incidence. The burden of AD/ADRD calls for a research workforce that has the scientific acumen to address the complex, multifactorial nature of these conditions. Although there is heighten awareness that men experience distinct risks and outcomes in brain aging, research and training focused specifically on men’s brain health remain virtually nonexistent, leaving critical gaps in our scientific understanding and in the preparation of the next generation of investigators. The overarching goal of the Men’s Brain Health and Aging, Resilience & Alzheimer’s Disease Career Development Program is to improve the brain health of men across the adult life course by expanding a national multidisciplinary research education project to understand the synergistic impact of biological, psychosocial, behavioral and geographic factors that lead to decline in brain health. We will recruit four cohorts of 8 early-career investigators for a total of 32 to participate in an 18-month program including structured mentorship, advanced training in longitudinal data science, community engaged approaches, and a novel emphasis on public dissemination of findings with a focus on men’s brain health. Led by faculty from Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, and Boston University, the program will leverage the extensive longitudinal data and infrastructure of the Framingham Heart Study, as well as a suite of longitudinal datasets with which program faculty have deep engagement, including the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, DIAGNOSE CTE, the Health and Retirement Study, and the Athlete Brain Health and Aging Study. The program incudes18 faculty who are nationally recognized leaders in the fields of brain aging, longitudinal methods, and social and behavioral factors. They offer extensive opportunities for education, networking, professional development, and fostering cross-institutional collaborations. Specific aims include: (1) Deploy a comprehensive education program focused on researching men’s brain health using complex, longitudinal data and community-engaged approaches; (2) Build capacity in the scientific workforce by advancing the science of life course research focused on brain health, cognitive aging, and AD/ADRDs among men; and (3) Provide an external evaluation of the outcomes and processes of the Men’s Brain Health and Aging, Resilience & Alzheimer’s Disease Career Development Program. At the end of this training program, scholars will be equipped to address critical gaps in men’s brain health research and advance to the next stage of their careers.

NIDCD - National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Surgeon-scientists play an essential role in driving translational innovation by uniquely bridging the gap between surgical care and research. Despite their crucial contributions, including breakthroughs in organ transplantation and cancer therapies, their numbers are rapidly declining due to the increasing demands of surgical practice and a lack of structured research training programs. To sustain this vital workforce, there is an urgent need to support programs that cultivate the next generation of surgeon-scientists, providing them with the training and mentorship necessary to balance surgical and research careers. Therefore, we have developed the Mentored Operative and Research Experience in Otolaryngology (MORE-Oto) to address the critical shortage of surgeon-scientists dedicated to advancing research in communication disorders. This comprehensive NIDCD R25 program integrates operative and translational scientific experiences tailored to both medical students and Otolaryngology residents at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). The program is designed to bridge the gap between surgical training and translational research by leveraging MCW’s robust scientific resources. The MORE-Oto curriculum offers two distinct components: (1) an 8-week summer research experience for medical students and (2) a dedicated research year for Otolaryngology residents. Medical students will be recruited both locally and nationally and will be matched to one of three research tracks: Hearing & Communication, Head & Neck Cancer, or Airway Health & Olfaction. They will gain exposure to both clinical and research settings under the mentorship of experienced surgeon-scientists. Residents participating in the dedicated research year will engage in intensive research training and clinical mentorship, with operative experience aligned to complement their research focus. The MORE-Oto program capitalizes on MCW’s existing infrastructure, including the Clinical & Translational Science Institute, MCW Graduate School, and the OTOClinomics clinical informatics platform housed within the Department of Otolaryngology. Through these resources, and a broad teaching faculty, MORE-Oto will provide comprehensive training that merges surgical practice with clinical and translational research. The program aims to cultivate a cohort of surgeon-scientists to address critical gaps in Otolaryngology by linking clinical challenges observed in surgical practice to testable research questions and evidence-based solutions. Success will be measured through continuous evaluation of academic productivity, participant acquisition of critical research skills, and long-term career outcomes, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to sustain dual careers as surgeon-scientists. By integrating these structured research and operative experiences, MORE-Oto aims to revitalize the field of surgeon-scientists in Otolaryngology, fostering innovation and improving outcomes for patients with communication disorders in alignment with NIDCD’s core mission.

NHLBI - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) comprises a heterogenous group of parenchymal conditions that commonly result in progressive and irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Once progressive, survival is poor and treatment options limited. Despite these longstanding observations, diagnostic delays remain common. To improve ILD outcomes, innovative approaches to improve early ILD detection and identify new therapeutic targets are urgently needed. As an R01-funded physician scientist engaged in translational ILD research, my long-term goal is to develop clinically actionable, protein-based biomarkers for patients with fibrotic ILD. My lab has already demonstrated the promise of proteomics-based investigation to inform ILD prognostication and has the expertise and resources necessary to leverage proteomics to efficiently address these existing knowledge gaps. The objective of this K24 application is to augment my mentoring capabilities, expand my trainee pipeline and expand upon exciting preliminary data suggesting that a proteomics-based approach can potentially discriminate ILD from other conditions that cause chronic respiratory symptoms and identify proteins that play a potentially causal role in fibrogenesis. Through this award, I will 1) Derive and validate a proteomic biomarker to predict ILD in those with chronic respiratory symptoms and 2) Identify circulating proteins that play a potentially causal role in ILD progression. In Aim 1 I will utilize a medium-throughput, semi-quantitative proteomic array to measure 192 disease relevant proteins in a 500 patient (200 ILD, 300 non-ILD) discovery cohort presenting with chronic respiratory symptoms who underwent contemporaneous chest imaging performed as part of their clinical evaluation. Using machine learning, I will derive a composite protein classifier that discriminates ILD with high sensitivity. I will then apply this classifier to the prospectively recruited validation cohort to determine test performance characteristics. In Aim 2, I will perform causal mediation analysis to discriminate proteins potentially causal of ILD progression from those that represent an epiphenomenon. I will estimate the total, direct and indirect effect of known prognostic biomarkers of ILD survival (exposure) on transplant-free survival (outcome) through declining lung function (mediator). Proteins with survival association that is completely mediated by intermediary progression are most likely to play a causal role in ILD outcomes. Results will be tested in an independent ILD validation cohort. Through this award I will optimize my mentoring skills, expand my training pipeline, and pursue a new line of research that directly benefits these trainees. This K24 award will position me to effectively train a new generation of translational researchers, helping to ensure a sustainable workforce of ILD physician-scientists.

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Despite marked progress in treatment and prevention, HIV remains a significant public health threat in the US and globally. Innovative strategies are needed to effectively deploy interventions and reduce HIV incidence, which requires a sustained and committed workforce. Dr. Dennis is an infectious disease physician and researcher at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, Division of Infectious Diseases. She seeks the protected time of the K24 award to ensure adequate time and effort to provide mentorship in patient- oriented HIV research focused on applied public health strategies. Dr. Dennis has a track record of performing high-quality patient-oriented research supported by independent funding. Her research bridges basic, clinical, and epidemiologic science by using HIV-1 molecular epidemiology and phylogenetics to understand HIV transmission at the population level and to use this information to direct prevention. She has expanded this work to optimize strategies to detect and respond to HIV networks using mixed-methods approaches. The overall goal of this work is to uncover the links between these sub-epidemics - which are overlapping sub- epidemics defined by risk groups, geography, social interaction - to facilitate the design of timely, effective interventions. The research specific aims are 1) Investigate HIV transmission networks using molecular epidemiology and phylodynamics (R01AI135970), 2) Evaluate uptake of HIV treatment and prevention services in public health with social network approaches (supported by R01AI169602), and 3) Pilot a network-based characterization of early syphilis infections to inform strategies to increase the uptake of injectable antiretrovirals for HIV treatment and prevention (supported by K24). With the support of the K24, she will leverage resources at UNC to support mentorship and professional development to strengthen new directions (implementation science, community-engaged research). Dr. Dennis is deeply committed to expanding her mentorship and dedicated to fostering diverse mentees with lived experiences that are critical for sustaining the HIV workforce. Dr. Dennis is Co-Director of the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Scientific Working Group which focuses on Ending the HIV Epidemic efforts in North and South Carolina. She has strong institutional support and a multidisciplinary team of advisors, including the UNC CFAR, and is an advisor on the UNC T32 HIV/STI institutional training program. She has collaborated for the past 10 years with NC Division of Public Health and with multiple investigators and trainees at the UNC Gillings School of Public Health. She is active in the UNC Infectious Diseases Fellowship program, providing clinical and research mentorship to numerous ID fellows. Her clinical activity provides practical grounding and relevance in patient-oriented research. The K24 will provide 50% of Dr. Dennis’ salary and additional funds to support mentees’ research. The proposed research is timely and aligned with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and will support the protected time needed to mentor the next-generation of investigators in HIV patient-oriented research.

Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity

Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity administers workforce development grants funding job training, apprenticeships, incumbent worker training, and employer-based training programs in MI.

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

LEO administers WIOA and state workforce grants to training providers, employers, and workforce development organizations for job training, apprenticeships, and employment services targeting job seekers across Michigan.

NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

PROJECT SUMMARY Oysters are an important global seafood resource that provide nutrition, economic value, and ecosystem services for coastal communities. However, oysters also bioaccumulate environmental contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and human microbial pathogens such as Vibrio species, posing significant risks to human health. While environmental factors influencing contaminant levels in oysters are relatively well studied, the biological mechanisms that mediate contaminant and pathogen accumulation—particularly the role of the oyster microbiome— remain poorly understood. This project addresses critical knowledge gaps by testing the hypothesis that disruption of the oyster microbiome increases accumulation of PAHs and human pathogenic Vibrio species. We predict that these outcomes will be linked to loss of protective or contaminant-degrading microbial taxa, reduced microbial diversity, and impaired host health. Two specific aims will test this hypothesis: (1) Determine how microbiome disturbance affects phenanthrene levels in oysters, and (2) Characterize how microbiome disturbance influences concentrations of Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus. Phenanthrene is a commonly studied model PAH that shares structural similarities with highly toxic PAH compounds, is relevant to human health, and is frequently detected in oyster tissues. V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus are the most common and clinically important pathogens associated with oyster consumption. Experimental approaches will include antibiotic-induced microbiome perturbation, contaminant and pathogen quantification, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and oyster physiological stress assays. This research will provide novel mechanistic insight into how oyster microbiomes influence seafood safety and human exposure to environmental contaminants. In addition, the project will fully integrate undergraduate students into an interdisciplinary research program, providing hands-on training that will enhance student development and support the NIH mission by strengthening biomedical research capacity and workforce potential at an undergraduate-focused institution.

U.S. National Science Foundation

NSF-supported science and engineering research increasingly relies on cutting-edge infrastructure. With its Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program and Major Multi-user Facilities ("Major Facilities") projects, NSF supports infrastructure projects at the lower and higher range of infrastructure project costs, Foundation-wide, across science and engineering research disciplines. The Foundation-wide Mid-scale Research Infrastructure opportunity is intended to provide NSF with an agile, Foundation-wide process to fund experimental research capabilities in the mid-scale range between MRI and Major Multi-user Facilities. NSF defines Research Infrastructure (RI) as any combination of facilities, equipment, instrumentation, or computational hardware or software, and the necessary human capital in support of the same. Major facilities and mid-scale projects are subsets of research infrastructure. The NSF Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 Program (Mid-scale RI-1) supports either design activities or implementation of unique and compelling RI projects. Mid-scale implementation projects may include any combination of equipment, instrumentation, cyberinfrastructure, broadly used large scale datasets and the personnel needed to successfully commission the project. Mid-scale RI-1 design activities include the design efforts intended to lead to eventual implementation of a mid-scale class RI project. Mid-scale RI-1 projects should involve the training of a diverse workforce engaged in the design and implementation of STEM research infrastructure. Mid-scale RI-1 projects should directly enable advances in any of the research domains supported by NSF. Projects may also include upgrades to existing research infrastructure. Mid-scale RI-1 emphasizes strong scientific merit, a response to an identified need of the research community and/or fulfillment of a national need to enable U.S. researchers to be competitive in a global research environment. Well-conceived technical and management plans are essential for both design and implementation proposals, as are well-developed plans (e.g., mentoring and professional development) for student training and the involvement of a diverse STEM workforce in all aspects of mid-scale design and/or implementation activities. The inclusion of individual project participants that will lead to a supportive working environment is especially encouraged at all levels of the project team. Within Mid-scale RI-1, proposers may submit two types of projects, Implementation (e.g., acquisition and/or construction) or Design . The Design track is intended to facilitate progress toward readiness for a mid-scale range implementation project. Both Implementation projects and Design activities may involve new or upgraded research infrastructure. Mid-scale RI-1 "Implementation" projects may have a total project cost ranging from $4 million up to but not including $20 million. Mid-scale RI-1 "Design" activities may request less than $4 million, with a minimum request of $400,000 and a maximum request up to but not including $20 million, as appropriate, to prepare for a future mid-scale range implementation project. Note: Successful award of a Mid-scale RI-1 design activity does not imply NSF's commitment to the future implementation of the project being designed, nor is a Mid-scale RI-1 design award required for the submission of an implementation project. The Mid-scale RI-1 Program seeks to broaden the representation of PIs and institutions in its award portfolio, including a geographically diverse set of institutions (especially those in EPSCoR jurisdictions). Proposals submitted by, or involving partnerships between institutions are encouraged. Participation in this opportunity is encouraged for the full spectrum of diverse talent society has to offer to include PIs who are women, early-career researchers, persons with disabilities, or members of other groups underrepresented in STEM. To improve participation in science and engineering research for persons with disabilities, Mid-scale RI-1 encourages PIs to incorporate accessibility as part of Mid-scale RI-1 design activity and implementation projects. Please consult NSF's Research Infrastructure Guide, or RIG (available at https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/lfo/lfo_documents.jsp), for definitions of certain terms used in this solicitation, such as the Project Execution Plan (PEP) and Design and Execution Plan (DEP). The RIG provides guidance specific to Mid-scale Research Infrastructure Projects, including references to other parts of the RIG as needed. Note that PEP or DEP should be appropriately scaled for the complexity of the project and may not require all of the elements described in the RIG. Mid-scale research infrastructure projects with total project costs beyond the Mid-scale RI-1 Program limit are separately solicited through the Mid-scale RI-2 Program. Proposals to the Mid-scale RI-1 Program with total project costs outside of this solicitation's budgetary limits, either during initial submission or after cost analyses/revisions during subsequent review, are subject to return without further review.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY The Midwest Zebrafish Meeting (MWZM) is a biennial scientific conference that brings together researchers using the zebrafish model to study fundamental questions in developmental biology, reproduction, genetics, and disease. The meeting serves as a key regional hub for fostering collaboration, technical training, and early- career development in the zebrafish research community across the Midwest, with participation from researchers nationwide. This year, MWZM will be hosted at the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Grand Rapids is centrally located in the Midwest, and easily accessible via plane, train, or automobile. The Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) is well equipped to host a meeting of this size (approximately 175 attendees), with an auditorium and break-out rooms, AV specialists, and Events Team support on site. VARI is located within walking distance of hotels and restaurants. We have arranged for discounted hotel blocks at two neighboring hotels. Zebrafish are a powerful vertebrate model organism uniquely suited for real-time imaging, high-throughput genetic manipulation, and modeling of human developmental disorders. The MWZM will highlight zebrafish research in areas such as visualizing development, tissue patterning, neural development and regeneration, germ and stem cell biology, cardiovascular and hematopoietic development, and disease modeling. This R13 application requests support to enhance the MWZM’s ability to advance research and training in the areas of development and disease, especially neurobiology and cardiovascular biology. The meeting will feature keynote lectures, invited and contributed talks, poster sessions, and technical workshops that highlight zebrafish-based discoveries from researchers in the Midwest. Special emphasis will be placed on providing early-career researchers with opportunities to present their work and participate in professional development sessions. R13 support will ensure the continued success and accessibility of the meeting by helping to offset operational costs, providing travel assistance to trainees, and disseminating educational resources beyond the conference itself. Through this support, MWZM will continue to promote scientific excellence, accelerate biomedical discovery, and strengthen the workforce.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

DEED administers workforce training, small business, and economic development grants to support job creation, workforce development, business expansion, and community economic revitalization across Minnesota.

Labor Department

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL or the Department), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) seeks public input to inform two related modernization efforts that together aim to strengthen the nation's public workforce information infrastructure. First, ETA is soliciting input to inform the design and implementation of a modernized online career site, currently delivered through CareerOneStop.org--a public-facing workforce information website that helps job seekers explore occupations, locate training programs, identify local services, and connect to job listings. Second, ETA is soliciting input to inform a modernization of the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) Program, which publishes detailed descriptions of occupational employment and serves as a foundational data resource for workforce tools and services across the country. These two efforts are closely linked: a modernized career site is only as good as the occupational and skills data that powers it. O*NET data informs how CareerOneStop presents occupations, skills, and pathways to users--and improvements to O*NET's timeliness, granularity, and interoperability will directly expand what a modernized site can offer. DOL is therefore seeking input on both efforts together, and respondents are encouraged to consider how improvements in one area could strengthen the other. Please note that this RFI is issued for information-gathering purposes only; it is not a solicitation or an offer for procurement. DOL will not award contracts or grants based on responses to this notice and will not respond individually to commenters. Comments may inform program and policy planning, including potential future notices and procurement activities. DOL expects that any possible procurement activity will be posted on the GSA Multiple Award Schedule.

Montana Department of Commerce

Provides Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund, Community Development Block Grants, and workforce training grants.

OD - NIH Office of the Director

PROJECT SUMMARY The NAMs Decisions Center is a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, modelers, and educators working to integrate New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) into regulatory decision-making for chemical safety assessment. The primary goal of the Center is to develop defined approaches for using mature combinatorial in vitro and in silico NAMs to enhance read-across methods, reducing reliance on animal testing. A key challenge in replacing traditional animal tests is proving sufficient similarity between chemicals, which is required for regulatory acceptance of read-across approaches. A systematic review of over 1,100 industry-proposed read- across adaptations submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) found that only 8% were accepted, primarily due to insufficient toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic data—gaps that NAMs could help fill. To address this, the Center proposes five Specific Aims. Aim 1: Center Management and International Integration, will ensure effective governance through an Internal Steering Committee and guidance from an External Advisory Committee with international representation from regulatory agencies, industry and NGOs. Aim 2: Developing Population-Based NAMs for Read-Across, will be focused on improving read-across approaches using population-based in vitro and in silico NAMs. This work will include complex in vitro models for gut permeability, liver metabolism, and renal clearance, population variability studies using human-derived cell panels, ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry as a rapid tool for toxicokinetics, toxicodynamic variability assessment with human lymphoblast cell lines, these will be combined into population-toxicokinetics/toxicodynamics NAMs. Three pilot projects focused on Center-relevant studies will be also included. Aim 3: NAMs Technology Development and Commercialization, will consist of three cores: Administrative Core will provide Center oversight, Data Management & Bioinformatics Core will be responsible for data integration and biostatistics support, and NAMs Resources Core will include resources for Device Fabrication and Transcriptomics. Aim 4: NAMs Qualification and Regulatory Acceptance, will ensure the robustness and reproducibility of the individual and combinatorial NAMs. With expertise in regulatory qualification, this Aim will help facilitate regulatory acceptance of Center- developed NAMs-based approaches. Aim 5: Training, Outreach, and Stakeholder Engagement, will conduct Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) research (identify stakeholder concerns, clarify validation expectations, and refine communication strategies), workforce development & training (create NAMs education materials for high-school/college students, regulators, industry professionals, and academics), and Community Engagement (encourage regulatory adoption through targeted workshops and read-across case studies). Overall, the NAMs Decisions Center aims to revolutionize chemical safety assessments by integrating NAMs into defined read-across approaches. By accelerating chemical evaluations and reducing reliance on animal testing, this initiative will make a significant impact on public health and regulatory decision-making.

Administration for Community Living

OverviewThe National Information and Referral Support Center will advance ACL"s strategic priority by increasing the quality and professionalism of the Older American's Act (OAA) aging and disability information and referral field through national leadership, training, technical assistance, resource development, peer learning opportunities, promoting standards and certification, coordinating with information, referral, and assistance systems, defining OAA information, referral, and assistance as a system, service, and process, and disseminating evidence-informed and culturally responsive practices throughout the nation's information, referral, and assistance ecosystem. SummaryFundamental to its role and purpose, the National I&R Support Center ensures that the aging and disability I&R/A workforce are trained, certified, and grounded in nationally standardized benchmarks that govern quality and professional service delivery. The National I&R Support Center advances ACL"s strategic priority of Connecting People to Services by providing support to streamlined access to information, services, and support for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. The National I&R Support Center achieves this priority by supporting the ongoing implementation, operation, and enhancement of the Eldercare Locator, through technical assistance. As a trusted, nationwide entry point, the Eldercare Locator strengthens the aging and disability networks by promoting consistency, quality, and accessibility through information and referral services contained in the Eldercare Locator database. The Eldercare Locator serves as the national gateway that connects individuals, regardless of where they are located geographically, to essential state and community-based resources closest to where they live, thereby supporting ACL"s commitment to a consumer-driven access system. The Support Center advances the HHS strategic goal of Improving the Well-Being of Americans by ensuring older adults and their family caregivers have an informed I&R/A workforce to help them or their loved ones stay in their homes and communities longer. Challenges and TrendsTrends continue to make I&R/A increasingly important to older adult and family caregivers. Today, a myriad of choices and decisions about health care, housing, transportation, food, caregiving, and long-term services and support (LTSS) challenge connections to services. Too often, a quest for information and services requires engaging a number of information providers, which results in frustration and confusion for consumers. Severe weather, natural disasters and the COVID pandemic highlight the critical need for timely, informed, and accurate information and assistance. I&R/A must also address the burgeoning and increasingly more complex aging and family caregiver populations. Caregivers are emerging in rapidly growing numbers who need access to I&R/A through a range of telephone, computer, and social media approaches. Older adults and family caregivers are increasingly relying on technology to live safely and independently in their own homes. Advances in smartphones, online chat, web conferencing, and assistive technology join voice assistants (Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant) and generative companions (ElliQ) as AI moves forward to redefine supports in medication management, safety and location trackers, and methods for reducing isolation and loneliness. I&R/A is far more than just telephone interaction. As a field, I&R/A seeks to invest in and utilize innovative technologies to enhance the workforce, improve access, and increase efficiencies. The quest for high-tech also highlights the indispensable continuance of the foundational practice of human touch for older adults and their caregivers who need I&R/A, but do not have access to technology and the population that prefers human conversation.With this Notice of Funding Opportunity, ACL seeks to issue one grant award funding a cooperative agreement to operate the National Information and Referral Support Center, the purpose of which is to provide support, technical assistance, and training to the National Aging Services Network to enhance the skills, knowledge, and management capacity of aging and disability information, referral, and assistance programs. As a result of this grant, ACL expects information, referral, and assistance programs will improve their skills and ability to support older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families connect with information, services, and supports.

Administration for Community Living

OverviewThe National Information and Referral Support Center will advance ACL"s strategic priority by increasing the quality and professionalism of the Older American's Act (OAA) aging and disability information and referral field through national leadership, training, technical assistance, resource development, peer learning opportunities, promoting standards and certification, coordinating with information, referral, and assistance systems, defining OAA information, referral, and assistance as a system, service, and process, and disseminating evidence-informed and culturally responsive practices throughout the nation's information, referral, and assistance ecosystem. SummaryFundamental to its role and purpose, the National I&amp;R Support Center ensures that the aging and disability I&amp;R/A workforce are trained, certified, and grounded in nationally standardized benchmarks that govern quality and professional service delivery. The National I&amp;R Support Center advances ACL"s strategic priority of Connecting People to Services by providing support to streamlined access to information, services, and support for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. The National I&amp;R Support Center achieves this priority by supporting the ongoing implementation, operation, and enhancement of the Eldercare Locator, through technical assistance. As a trusted, nationwide entry point, the Eldercare Locator strengthens the aging and disability networks by promoting consistency, quality, and accessibility through information and referral services contained in the Eldercare Locator database. The Eldercare Locator serves as the national gateway that connects individuals, regardless of where they are located geographically, to essential state and community-based resources closest to where they live, thereby supporting ACL"s commitment to a consumer-driven access system. The Support Center advances the HHS strategic goal of Improving the Well-Being of Americans by ensuring older adults and their family caregivers have an informed I&amp;R/A workforce to help them or their loved ones stay in their homes and communities longer. Challenges and TrendsTrends continue to make I&amp;R/A increasingly important to older adult and family caregivers. Today, a myriad of choices and decisions about health care, housing, transportation, food, caregiving, and long-term services and support (LTSS) challenge connections to services. Too often, a quest for information and services requires engaging a number of information providers, which results in frustration and confusion for consumers. Severe weather, natural disasters and the COVID pandemic highlight the critical need for timely, informed, and accurate information and assistance. I&amp;R/A must also address the burgeoning and increasingly more complex aging and family caregiver populations. Caregivers are emerging in rapidly growing numbers who need access to I&amp;R/A through a range of telephone, computer, and social media approaches. Older adults and family caregivers are increasingly relying on technology to live safely and independently in their own homes. Advances in smartphones, online chat, web conferencing, and assistive technology join voice assistants (Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant) and generative companions (ElliQ) as AI moves forward to redefine supports in medication management, safety and location trackers, and methods for reducing isolation and loneliness. I&amp;R/A is far more than just telephone interaction. As a field, I&amp;R/A seeks to invest in and utilize innovative technologies to enhance the workforce, improve access, and increase efficiencies. The quest for high-tech also highlights the indispensable continuance of the foundational practice of human touch for older adults and their caregivers who need I&amp;R/A, but do not have access to technology and the population that prefers human conversation.With this Notice of Funding Opportunity, ACL seeks to issue one grant award funding a cooperative agreement to operate the National Information and Referral Support Center, the purpose of which is to provide support, technical assistance, and training to the National Aging Services Network to enhance the skills, knowledge, and management capacity of aging and disability information, referral, and assistance programs. As a result of this grant, ACL expects information, referral, and assistance programs will improve their skills and ability to support older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families connect with information, services, and supports.

U.S. National Science Foundation

The U.S. NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) partners across sectors to advance three primary focus areas accelerating technology translation and development, fostering regional innovation and economic growth, and preparing the American workforce for future high-wage jobs in STEM fields. The translation of research to practice ensures that the insights and innovations developed through scientific study and experimentation have tangible, positive impacts for the Nation. These impacts include improving the quality of life, promoting economic and job growth, ensuring national security, and maintaining global competitiveness. Indeed, scientific and engineering breakthroughs have the potential to address critical societal challenges in industries such as aerospace, agriculture, communications, education, energy, healthcare, national security, and transportation but the translation of discoveries and innovations from the laboratory to society often takes many forms including non-linear pathways. The NSF TTP program was developed with several goals in mind: To identify and support use-inspired research and translational activities enabling a continuum from foundational research to practice; To develop partnerships and collaborations between institutions of higher education and other entities (e.g., industry, state/local/national government agencies, philanthropies, open-source ecosystems, for-benefit, for-profit and non-profit organizations, international organizations, etc.); To promote and advance the education and training of students and postdoctoral researchers, encouraging the participation of all Americans in STEM including innovation and entrepreneurship; and To identify future customer needs and opportunities and bring these to the forefront in the conduct of use-inspired research and translational activities. The NSF TTP program offers three tracks that represent different starting points or stages in moving discoveries and innovations from the laboratory to practice: NSF TTP-Explore (NSF TTP-E) is a pilot track that is likely to be the first step for researchers seeking to translate their basic research to practice. To be eligible for the NSF TTP-E track, proposers must have an active, eligible, NSF research award (see Eligibility Information for further details). TTP-E is designed to encourage current, eligible NSF awardees to intentionally pursue applications of their research with the potential for societal impact. The NSF TTP-E track provides the opportunity to obtain an extension of the initial award period of a current NSF award for up to two years in order to offer investigators an opportunity to explore adventurous, high-risk, use-inspired research and initial translational activities as the starting point for translation that was not covered by the original research award. NSF TTP-Translate (NSF TTP-T) starts with use-inspired research and initial translational activities and further matures the idea(s), iterates and improves the solution(s), and lowers the barrier(s) to effective translation of research from lab to practice. NSF TTP-Partner (NSF TTP-P) supports translational efforts that demand one or more partnerships for technology development and deployment. Here, strategic partnerships with stakeholders beyond U.S. institutions of higher education are essential ingredients for success and may include industry partners, government entities at all levels, philanthropies, international organizations, or other groups associated with large scale productization and distribution. The NSF TTP-P track requires an NSF-Catalyzed Partnership with an organization that will assist in the translation to practice. In addition to the Principal Investigator (PI), NSF TTP-P proposals must include a co-PI or Senior/Key Personnel who is a member or employee of the NSF-Catalyzed Partner. Partnerships with U.S. institutions of higher education are valued, but NSF TTP strongly prioritizes NSF-Catalyzed Partnerships that are able to help bring the product, process, or service to the market, potentially through licensing agreements, startup or small business formation, incorporation into an existing open-source ecosystem, development into standards setting arrangements, etc.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) Office on Women's Health (OWH) announces the anticipated availability of funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 grants under the authority of section 229 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. § 237a), section 1703(a) of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. § 300u-2(a)), and all of the authorities under Title XVII of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, pertaining to the mission of the Office on Women's Health." 73 Fed. Reg. 62995 (Oct 2008).This notice solicits applications from organizations with demonstrated experience in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of reproductive health conditions, which may include polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), reproductive-age endocrine disorders, or recurrent miscarriage. Through this cooperative agreement, selected organizations will be recognized and elevated as a Center of Excellence, building on their existing expertise to strengthen the translation of evidence into practice, enhance and standardize root-cause care pathways, expand workforce training, and improve health outcomes for women. OWH encourages applicants to review all program requirements, eligibility information, application format and submission information, evaluation criteria, and other information in this funding announcement to ensure that their application complies with all requirements and instructions.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) Office on Women's Health (OWH) announces the anticipated availability of funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 grants under the authority of section 229 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 237a), section 1703(a) of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300u-2(a)), and all of the authorities under Title XVII of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, pertaining to the mission of the Office on Women's Health." 73 Fed. Reg. 62995 (Oct 2008).This notice solicits applications from organizations with demonstrated experience in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of reproductive health conditions, which may include polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), reproductive-age endocrine disorders, or recurrent miscarriage. Through this cooperative agreement, selected organizations will be recognized and elevated as a Center of Excellence, building on their existing expertise to strengthen the translation of evidence into practice, enhance and standardize root-cause care pathways, expand workforce training, and improve health outcomes for women. OWH encourages applicants to review all program requirements, eligibility information, application format and submission information, evaluation criteria, and other information in this funding announcement to ensure that their application complies with all requirements and instructions.

Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Workforce development grants support Nebraska employers, training providers, and educational institutions in developing programs that address skills gaps, provide career pathway training, and prepare workers for in-demand occupations.

NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

The NeuroASCENT- Advancing Science through Career Enhancement and Neuroscience Training program will support neuroscience‑focused PhD students across multiple graduate programs by providing comprehensive scientific, professional, and research‑development training during their doctoral education. Strengthening the national neuroscience workforce requires ensuring that trainees have access to high‑quality research preparation, strong mentoring, and structured opportunities that enhance their scientific growth and career readiness. Recent analyses of U.S. doctoral recipients indicate that many talented trainees encounter barriers that limit full participation in research careers, underscoring the need for intentional support mechanisms that promote successful advancement. Over the last five years, CU Anschutz PhD programs have seen a substantial increase in students entering from a broad range of academic backgrounds. NeuroASCENT is designed to help these trainees progress efficiently by 1) promoting research excellence, 2) fostering leadership skills, 3) facilitating career development, and 4) providing individualized guidance. To achieve these goals, the program will provide career‑focused workshops, structured research externship opportunities, enhanced mentoring frameworks, and coordinated access to campus resources that extend beyond those offered by individual graduate programs. In partnership with the Office of Research Education, NeuroASCENT will complement and enhance the scientific training provided across biomedical PhD programs while offering added value to the broader CU Anschutz graduate community. Program Directors Dr. Quillinan and Dr. Hughes will oversee training activities, mentor matching, evaluation, program operations, and dissemination. An Institutional Advisory Board composed of research leaders will guide program oversight, and an External Advisory Board of graduate‑education experts will provide additional evaluation and strategic input. NeuroASCENT scholars will also serve on an Executive Advisory Board to develop leadership experience and contribute directly to program refinement. Trainees will typically enter the program after their second year of graduate training and will participate in activities focused on building a supportive peer/mentor network, strengthening scientific confidence and competence, and preparing for careers in academia, government, industry, or non‑profit research organizations.

NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Project Summary The NeuroNauts Scholars program seeks to cultivate the next generation of neuroscience researchers by providing eight high school students with immersive, hands-on research experiences in areas central to neurological health. The long-term goal is to expand the biomedical workforce by sparking early interest in neuroscience and equipping students with the skills to advance our understanding of brain and nervous system function. Under the expert guidance of UWF faculty, students will participate in an intensive eight-week summer program that integrates authentic laboratory research and interactive seminars. The program’s goals are to: 1. Provide hands-on training in experimental design, data collection, and analysis using cutting-edge neuroscience methodologies. 2. Enhance students’ understanding of neural mechanisms including neuroplasticity and neural network dynamics that underlie brain function and the pathogenesis of neurological disease. 3. Develop complementary skills in scientific writing, presentation, and critical analysis to prepare students for advanced studies and careers in neuroscience. 4. Foster a supportive research environment through personalized mentoring, continuous monitoring of student progress, and regular evaluation of program effectiveness. Program outcomes will be rigorously assessed through quantitative metrics and qualitative feedback using an online assessment system (EvaluateUR),, ensuring that the curriculum remains responsive to student needs. By bridging theoretical knowledge with practical research, the NeuroNauts Scholars program directly supports NINDS’s mission to advance our understanding of the brain and reduce the burden of neurological disease, while building a robust future biomedical research workforce.