| | | Updates from the UCI Office of Research |
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| Sign up for the Office of Research Listserv |
| | To keep up with the latest updates from the Office of Research amid all the federal funding changes, be sure to subscribe to the CG-News listserv. Sign up by sending a blank email to cg-news+subscribe@uci.edu. | |
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| Due to shifts in the federal agency funding landscape, do not sign any certifications or acknowledgments, complete any surveys, or respond regarding grant compliance, change in abstract or scope of work, or project activities. Instead, forward such communications to Jeff Warner, Senior Director, Sponsored Projects Administration. Authorized Organizational Representatives (AORs) in the Office of Research will handle these matters. If you have trouble getting in touch with your Sponsored Programs offices/Contracts and Grants office, contact Nancy Lewis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration. Learn more about the impact of federal executive orders and directives on federal grants and contracts.
For other questions or concerns, contact Paul Lekutai, Director, Federal and Non-Federal Sponsored Projects, or Jeff Warner.
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| School of Medicine Applications for Bridge Funding Due July 25 |
| Please note that the next UCI Office of Research deadline for Bridge Funding is Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Complete applications must include a signed letter of support by your department chair showing financial commitment. Bridge Funding applications are due to the School of Medicine Office of Research by Friday, July 25, 2025.
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| NIH Guidance Regarding AI in Applications |
| | NIH will not consider applications that are either substantially developed by AI, or contain sections substantially developed by AI; it is expected that all applications be entirely original ideas of applicants. Additionally, NIH will only accept six new, renewal, resubmission, or revision applications from an individual Principal Investigator/Program Director or Multiple Principal Investigator for all council rounds in a calendar year. This policy applies to all activity codes except T activity codes and R13 Conference Grant Applications.This policy is effective for applications submitted by the Sept. 25, 2025, receipt date and beyond. Review the notice. | |
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| From Idea to Impact: Why Storytelling Matters |
| In a time of shrinking research dollars and growing public skepticism, a good idea isn’t enough. It needs a story. Read how UC Irvine Beall Applied Innovation is helping researchers bridge the gap between discovery and real-world impact through communication-forward programs like Proof of Product (PoP), I-Corps, SBIR/STTR support, and Born in California in the feature article “Why Science Needs a Story.”
Have a project that needs support? Reach out to Matt Hanson, Director of New Ventures.
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| School of Medicine Dean's Research Council Meeting |
| School of Medicine Dean Michael J. Stamos and Associate Dean for Research Administration William E. Bunney invite you to attend this quarterly meeting featuring two distinguished research presentations:
Decoding Melanoma’s Morse Code: Mutation, Signaling, and State Shifts in Tumorigenesis by Anand K. Ganesan, MD, PhD, Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Biological Chemistry; Associate Dean, Physician-Scientist Development, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Bridging Imaging and Physiology: Non-Invasive CT-Based Quantification of Cardiovascular Disease by Sabee Molloi, PhD, Professor, of Radiological Sciences, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Vice Chairman of Research, Department of Radiological Sciences, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 5 to 6 p.m.
Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 968 2620 4626 | Passcode: 109533 | |
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| SOM-SSoE Incentive Program Extended |
| UC Irvine School of Medicine and the UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering Deans’ offices are pleased to extend the SOM-SSoE Incentive Program to promote collaborative grant submissions between our schools. The program is specifically for multi-PI (MPI) research grants with one MPI from the School of Medicine and the other MPI from the Samueli School of Engineering at the NIH R01 level or similar (not R03 or R21). An example of a funding opportunity that may allow for medicine and engineering collaboration is the NIH Blueprint MedTech Translator (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional). To be eligible for these funds, one faculty member of the team must fill out the SOM-SSoE Incentive Form prior to submission. Review the incentive form for complete program details. The SOM-SSoE program is available through June 30, 2026.
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| Applications open! 2025 Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course |
| UC Irvine School of Medicine is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course. This course will prepare physician scientists by enabling them to combine their clinical knowledge with skills in scientific investigation. The School of Medicine strives to advance individual and population health and this fundamental certificate course will equip physician scientists with the basic knowledge required to address their research questions. This will allow UC Irvine to deliver top-level care to our patients, as we will have physicians able to leverage ongoing breakthroughs while advancing research in their fields. There is no tuition fee to participate in the course.
Deadline: Sept. 1, 2025 | | Back to top | | | |
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| Alan Barbour, MD (Microbiology & Molecular Genetics), received an NIH R21 grant titled, “Basic immunological toolbox for genus Peromsycus, infection tolerant reservoirs of zoonotic agents.” The white-footed deermouse Peromyscus leucopus along with P. maniculatus are natural hosts for the agents of Lyme disease and other infectious diseases in North America. Although these abundant and widely distributed rodents are often confused with mice, they are more closely related to hamsters. The objective of this project is to develop antibody reagents that can be used to study immunity to Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases in these important animals for the maintenance of the pathogens in nature.
Do you or someone on your team have research-related good news to report (e.g., research funding/award, publication, other accolade)? We would like to know! Please fill out this short Good News submission form. | | Back to top | | | |
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| Find funding opportunities for trainees, postdocs and early career faculty, and all faculty. For more funding opportunities and resources to help in your funding search, visit the Funding Opportunities page.
The Research Development Unit (RDU) has created lists of intramural funding opportunities and foundation funding opportunities. If you have additional opportunities that should be included, contact the RDU.
Considering applying for a Limited Funding Opportunity? Typically, you submit a pre-proposal to the Office of Research via UCI Review. If the opportunity is not listed, contact the RDU.
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| | Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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ICTS T32 Postdoctoral Scholar Appointment
All Applicants Must:
- Have a project focused on clinical translational science
- Have one primary mentor and at least one other co-mentor from a separate discipline
- Currently hold a postdoctoral position and have no more than two years of postdoctoral training since the date of their terminal degree and be able to conduct research full-time
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder
Deadline: July 25, 2025, 5 p.m.
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| 2026 Sloan Research Fellowships |
| The Sloan Research Fellowship Program recognizes outstanding early-career faculty who have the potential to revolutionize their fields of study. Successful candidates for a fellowship generally have a strong record of significant independent research accomplishments that demonstrate creativity and the potential to become future leaders in the scientific community. Nominated candidates are normally several years past the completion of their PhD in order to accumulate a competitive record of independent, significant research. Candidates must be Assistant Professors (i.e., untenured but tenure-track faculty) as of Sept. 15, 2025.
Each year, the Sloan Foundation awards approximately 120 $75,000 grants in seven research areas: Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Earth System Science, Neuroscience and Economics. Please make sure that your research fits under one of the listed subcategories before applying.
UC Irvine may nominate three candidates per department; therefore, interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary application to the Office of Research via InfoReady.
Deadline: Aug. 4, 2025
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| McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards in Cognitive Aging and Memory Loss |
| The McKnight Brain Research Foundation (MBRF) and the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) will provide up to two 3-year awards of $750,000 (USD) each to advanced Assistant Professors and recently appointed Associate Professors (MDs and PhDs). One award will be made to support studies focusing on clinical translational research and another award toward understanding basic biological mechanisms underlying cognitive aging and age-related memory loss. Learn more about the McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards in Cognitive Aging and Memory Loss.
UC Irvine Health Advancement will support the application process, especially considering the Aug. 12 deadline. Please contact Kathleen Lago, Director of Development, UC Irvine Health Advancement.
Deadline: Aug. 12, 2025
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| Available Postdoctoral Fellowships for the Hewitt Foundation for Biomedical Research |
| The Hewitt Foundation for Biomedical Research supports outstanding mentors and postdoctoral fellows. In addition to the Salk Institute and the Scripps Research Institute, the foundation offers positions to mentors and fellows in the Schools of Medicine, Biological Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences at UC Irvine. It aims to nurture the next generation of biomedical research leaders.
Mentors are invited to apply on behalf of potential fellows.
Postdoctoral fellowships are awarded for three years, carry yearly stipends of $72k, $74k and $76k. In addition, a yearly allocation of $15k is made to the fellow's sponsoring laboratory to cover health insurance, travel to scientific meetings, and to partially support their research expenses.
Learn more about available postdoctoral fellowships for the Hewitt Foundation for BioMedical Research at the Conte Center’s website.
Deadline: Aug. 15, 2025 | |
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| A.P. Giannini Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and Leadership Award |
| The A.P. Giannini Foundation invites physician-scientists and junior researchers with three to 36 months of postdoctoral research experience to apply to the 2026 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship & Leadership Award. Postdoctoral researchers are eligible to apply to the 2026 program if they have completed no less than three months and no more than three years in their mentor’s laboratory as of Dec. 31, 2025.
The Fellowship and Leadership Award supports innovative research in the basic sciences and applied fields and trains fellows to become established investigators and to pursue scientific leadership positions in academia, industry, public and non-traditional career pathways. Research projects should advance the translation of biomedical science into preventions, treatments and cures for human diseases.
For questions about the application process, reach out to Dr. Leslie Thompson.
Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, 3 p.m. | |
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| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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ARPA-H Functional Repair of Neocortical Tissue (FRONT)The Functional Repair of Neocortical Tissue (FRONT) program aims to restore brain tissue, enabling individuals with brain damage to recover cognitive functions. The program seeks to develop methods to make non-specialized cells form into normal tissue. After these cells are grafted, FRONT will measure how well they integrate with the surrounding healthy neocortex tissue, proper layered structure of normal cortical tissue, and functional recovery. The program’s goal is to alleviate the personal and financial burdens of previously ‘permanent’ brain damage. Solution Summary Deadline: Aug. 18, 2025 | |
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| Forecasted Federal Funding Opportunities |
| While the number of federal funding opportunities decreased over recent months, there has been an uptick in forecasted NIH and other federal opportunities. Forecasted opportunity postings provide applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. Below are some examples. Go to Grants.gov to view the complete list.
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| | | Upcoming Seminars & Events |
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| Biological Chemistry Dissertation Defense |
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Methionine Availability and Cell Cycle Regulation, by Anna Andronicos, Graduate Student, Peter Kaiser, PhD, Lab, Department of Biological Chemistry, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Friday, July 25, 1 p.m. PT
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall Room 166 and Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 938 6389 9061 | Passcode: 483230 | |
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| UC Irvine Center for Neuropolitics Lecture Series |
| From Democracy to Autocracy: Suicide by False Belief, by Joe Pierre, MD, Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco. This event is hosted by the UC Irvine Center for Neuropolitics. Register today for this FREE, virtual lecture! Friday, Aug. 8, Noon to 1:15 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
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| Experimental Pathology Dissertation Defense |
| PET and Fluid Biomarkers of Tau Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease of Down Syndrome, by Nazek Queder, Graduate Student, Elizabeth Head Lab, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Friday, Aug. 8, 2 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center Room 4001, and via Zoom
Meeting ID: 919 6442 8338
Passcode: 363341 | |
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| CHOC Research and UC Irvine Distinguished Lecture Series |
| A Machine Learning Decision Support Tool to Optimize Whole Genome Sequencing in the NICU, by Rebecca Reimers, MD, MPH, FACOG, Physician, San Diego Perinatal Center
Wednesday, Aug. 20, Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
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| Grand Rounds and CME Symposia |
| | For Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities, view the weekly Grand Rounds & CME Symposia email. | | Back to top | | | |
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| Do you have an open research-related position you would also like announced in Research Insider? Please fill out this form to have your open position listed.
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| What kind of grant support does the School of Medicine Research Development Unit provide? |
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| What kind of grant support does the RDU provide to Physician Scientists? |
| Along with the general grant support the RDU provides (outlined above), there are multiple programs available outlined on the Physician Scientist Resources page. - Physician Scientist Collective: Monthly seminar series with visiting speakers
- Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course: Six-week, 12-hour hybrid course that introduces clinicians to research pathways
- Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP): Helps physician scientists apply for their first K award
- Dean’s K Scholar: Provides awardees the protected time and mentorship needed to obtain NIH K/ equivalent funding
- Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP): Supports junior faculty on externally funded clinical trials through a 2-year partnership program with senior investigators already running clinical trials
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