Grants for Schools & Universities

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · Amount varies

This Department of War (Defense Health Agency) Rare Cancers Research Program Concept Award supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking novel concepts in rare cancers. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to clarifications. Preliminary data are not required, and the review is blinded, so identifying the PI, collaborators, or their organizations in the application is prohibited and will result in rejection. No specific award amount is stated.

U.S. National Science Foundation · Amount varies

The NSF Division of Chemistry funds disciplinary research across six chemistry programs (catalysis, measurement and imaging, mechanism, synthesis, environmental chemistry, and nanochemistry). Proposals may only be submitted by U.S. institutions of higher education and non-profit, non-academic research organizations such as museums, observatories, and research labs; this is not open to individuals or most businesses. No award amount is stated. Higher-ed and research-institution focus makes eligibility relatively narrow.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $0

This NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Broad Agency Announcement invites applications for special projects aligned with NOAA's strategic plan and mission. Eligibility is broad and includes higher-education institutions, nonprofits, commercial organizations, international or foreign organizations and governments, individuals, and state, local, and tribal governments, though eligibility for a given activity depends on NOAA's statutory authority. Federal organizations are generally outside the scope. No award amount is provided, and as a BAA this describes a general framework rather than a single defined award; review the announcement for specifics.

Idaho Field Office · $5K–$8M

This Department of Energy program (Idaho Field Office) provides cost-share grants to help offset the cost of licensing advanced nuclear energy reactors. Eligible applicants are broad and include federally recognized tribal governments, small and other businesses, county and city/township governments, nonprofits (including those without 501(c)(3) status, but not higher-ed institutions), and public and private universities. Awards range from about $5,000 up to roughly $8M, and applications are only accepted during a July 1 to September 30 window. Note this is a cost-share program, so applicants are expected to contribute matching funds.

Veterans Employment and Training Service · $0–$10K

The Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service funds local Stand Down events that provide employment, social, and health services to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Eligible applicants are broad: state, territorial, county, city, local, special district, and tribal governments and agencies, nonprofit and for-profit entities, workforce boards, higher-education institutions, and public and tribal housing authorities; faith-based organizations may apply, but 501(c)(4) organizations are not eligible. These are noncompetitive, first-come awards of up to $7,000 (one-day) or $10,000 (multi-day), with up to $50,000 possible in federally declared disaster areas. Note that costs incurred before the award start date are not reimbursed.

Geological Survey · $0

This U.S. Geological Survey award supports coordination of water resources research under the Water Resources Research Act. Eligibility is narrow: proposals are only accepted from designated Water Resources Research Act Institutes or Centers based at institutions of higher education, and applicants are directed to contact the grants specialist. No award amount is provided in the listing. This is not open to general nonprofits, businesses, or individuals.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $0

This NOAA/National Weather Service Broad Agency Announcement invites applications for special projects aligned with the NWS strategic plan and mission. Eligibility is broad and includes higher-education institutions, nonprofits, commercial organizations, international or foreign organizations and governments, individuals, and state, local, and tribal governments, subject to NOAA/NWS statutory authority for each activity. Federal organizations are generally outside the scope. No award amount is stated, and as a BAA it outlines a general framework rather than a single defined award; review the announcement for project-specific details.

FAA-COE-AJFE · $1–$20M

This FAA Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuel and Environment opportunity is restricted: new grant opportunities are open and available only to the university members of the ASCENT research coalition, which was awarded the Center in 2013. Organizations outside ASCENT's member universities are not eligible. The stated amount range runs up to about $20 million. Because eligibility is limited to existing consortium members, most applicants will not qualify.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $0

This NOAA Fisheries Broad Agency Announcement has unusually broad eligibility: institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, international/foreign organizations and governments, individuals, and state, local, and tribal governments may apply. It funds special projects and programs aligned with NOAA Fisheries' strategic plan and mission (marine fisheries, environment, natural resources). Federal organizations are excluded, and final eligibility depends on the specific statutory authority for the proposed activity. No award amount is stated.

Office of Science · $50K–$5M

The DOE Office of Science runs this open, year-round solicitation supporting research across program areas including advanced scientific computing, basic energy sciences, biological and environmental research, fusion energy, high energy physics, nuclear physics, and isotope R&D. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to clarifications and to the requirements in 10 CFR 605. Awards range from roughly $50,000 to $5 million. The NOFO remains open until September 30, 2026 or until succeeded by a new issuance.

Air Force -- Research Lab · Up to $99.9M

This Air Force Research Lab opportunity (GeoPEX) funds geospatial intelligence processing and exploitation research and development, with awards up to roughly $99,900,000. Eligibility and application details are not provided here: submissions are not accepted through Grants.gov and must follow the instructions in the full announcement on SAM.gov, which applicants must review. Given the defense-research focus, prospective applicants should confirm eligibility and security requirements in that announcement before applying.

Naval Research Laboratory · $0

The Naval Research Laboratory's Long Range BAA supports basic and applied research across many scientific and technical disciplines, including systems, materials science, ocean and atmospheric science, and space technology. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to clarifications in the announcement. No specific award amount is stated. Applicants typically submit white papers first; review the full announcement for topic areas and submission steps.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $2.2M

This NIH (NIDDK) U24 cooperative agreement funds continuation of the Integrated Islet Distribution Program, which supplies human islets to diabetes researchers. It is a single-source opportunity: only the PI/PDs associated with the prior award to Beckman Research Institute/City of Hope are eligible, so no other organization qualifies. Foreign organizations and foreign components are not eligible, and clinical trials are not allowed. The stated maximum is about $2.2 million.

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · Amount varies

This Department of War (Defense Health Agency) ALS Research Program Pilot Clinical Trial Award supports rapid implementation of phase 1 to small-scale phase 2 trials affecting ALS treatment or management. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to clarifications. Applications must address biomarker-driven interventions or clinical care, incorporate community collaboration, and include a regulatory strategy and transition plan. No specific award amount is stated.

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · Amount varies

This Department of War (Defense Health Agency) ALS Research Program Clinical Outcomes and Biomarkers Award supports development and validation of clinical outcomes and biomarkers to enrich ALS clinical trials. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to clarifications. Projects may target a specific therapy, therapeutic class, or ALS subtype and may use digital health measures. Community collaboration informed by the ALS lived-experience community is expected. No specific award amount is stated.

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · Amount varies

This Department of War (Defense Health Agency) Breast Cancer Research Program Breakthrough Award Level 3 supports promising research with high potential to lead to breakthroughs in breast cancer. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to clarifications. Small-scale clinical trials are allowed but not required, and the research team must include two or more breast cancer consumer advocates. No specific award amount is stated; applications must address an FY26 BCRP overarching challenge.

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · Amount varies

This Department of War (Defense Health Agency) ALS Research Program Therapeutic Development Award supports research from preclinical validation of therapeutic leads through FDA IND-enabling studies, with product-driven, empirical projects. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to clarifications. Applicants must begin with lead compounds in hand and already-demonstrated proof-of-concept efficacy in a preclinical ALS model; candidates already granted an IND are not appropriate. No specific award amount is stated.

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · Amount varies

This Department of War (Defense Health Agency) Breast Cancer Research Program Breakthrough Award Level 4 supports promising research with high potential for breakthroughs in breast cancer. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to clarifications. Clinical trials are required for this level, and the research team must include two or more breast cancer consumer advocates. Up to two partnering Principal Investigators are allowed. No specific award amount is stated; applications must address an FY26 BCRP overarching challenge.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $500K

This NIH (NIDCD) U01 cooperative agreement funds high-risk clinical trials developing in vivo high-resolution imaging technologies for the living human inner ear; a clinical trial is required for this mechanism. Eligible applicants include a broad range of domestic and foreign organizations such as higher-education institutions (including minority-serving institutions), tribal governments, faith-based or community organizations, and U.S. territories. The stated maximum is about $500,000. A multidisciplinary team approach is encouraged; review the RFA for full eligibility details.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $500K

This NIH (NIDCD) R01 award funds development of in vivo high-resolution structural and functional imaging technologies for the living human inner ear. A wide range of domestic and foreign organizations may apply, including higher-education institutions (including minority-serving institutions), tribal governments, faith-based or community organizations, and U.S. territories. A clinical trial is optional. The stated maximum is about $500,000, and a multidisciplinary team approach is encouraged; review the RFA for full eligibility details.