| | |
| Join us for the School of Medicine’s 2026 Faculty Research Retreat on March 5 |
| You’re invited to attend the UC Irvine School of Medicine’s 2026 Faculty Research Retreat, “The Next Chapter: Future Directions for Biomedical Research.”
Thursday, March 5, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Check-in & Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Beall Applied Innovation | | Back to top | | | |
| | | Updates from the UCI Office of Research |
| | |
| NIH’s Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after Jan. 25, 2026 |
| A unified Common Biographical Sketch and Common Current & Pending (Other) Support format will be required using SciENcv. In SciENcv, you will need to create the NIH Biographical Sketch Common Form and the NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement.
These forms must be used for all NIH submissions with due dates in Cycle 1, beginning with any submission — applications, JIT, RPPRs and others — due on or after Jan. 25, 2026.
Instructions for the Biographical Sketch Common Form and NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement as well as an FAQ are available.
Instructions for the Current and Pending (Other) Support Common Form, as well as an FAQ, are available.
Additional resources, including training videos, will be posted on Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support as they become available. Review the notice. | |
| | |
| Removal of Requirements for Letters of Intent and Unsolicited Applications Requesting $500,000 or More in Direct Costs |
| Effective immediately, NIH will no longer request or accept Letters of Intent (LOIs) as part of the application process, and NIH will no longer require applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs (excluding consortium F&A costs) in any one budget period to contact the funding Institute or Center (IC) before application submission. Review the notice.
| |
| | |
| Register for an Upcoming UC Irvine NIH Boot Camp Informational Session |
| The Research Development Unit will host three virtual informational sessions about the UCI NIH Boot Camp, a comprehensive, multifaceted mentoring program designed to help faculty and career researchers apply for their first research grants from NIH. Attend one to learn more about this program and how to apply for the upcoming 2026 UCI NIH Boot Camp! Applications are due Feb. 10, 2026.
- Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, Noon to 1 p.m. | Register
- Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, 9 to 10 a.m. | Register
- Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, 4 to 5 p.m. | Register
| |
| | |
| UC Irvine's Health Data Research Resources | Physician Scientist Collective 2025-26 Distinguished Speaker Series |
|  | |
Kai Zheng, PhD, FACMI, Professor of Informatics and Emergency Medicine, UC Irvine. Zheng directs the Center for Biomedical Informatics (CBMI), a key component of the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) and the Institute for Precision Health (IPH). In this seminar, he will present an overview of UC Irvine’s health data research resources managed by CBMI. The following topics will be covered:
- Types of health data available for research reuse
- Requesting procedures and best practices
- Tools for cohort discovery prior to submitting a data request
- Additional resources such as the UC Health Data Warehouse and the NIH All of Us Research Hub
Zheng will also present a brief overview of the Protected Virtual Computing Environment (PVCE), where datasets retrieved by the UCI Health Honest Brokers team are deposited. PVCE is an institutionally approved secure environment for storing and computing health data. It comprises multiple servers hosted at the UCI Health Data Center with common statistical and machine-learning tools such as SAS, SPSS, R and Python preinstalled. Learn more about the Physician Scientist Collective.
Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, Noon to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
| | |
| Would you like feedback on your proposal? |
| Remember that the School of Medicine Research Development Unit (RDU) provides grant support and manages the NIH Pre- & Resubmission Programs. The School of Medicine will provide funds to support pre- and resubmission applications, including the costs of subject matter expert reviews and other unique proposal needs.
| |
| | |
| Call for Applications: CIRM UC Irvine Alpha Clinic Clinical Research Coordinator Accelerated Training Program |
| The AC Clinical Research Coordinator Training Program (CRCTP) aims to support the workforce development in clinical research by introducing the job duties and responsibilities of a Clinical Research Coordinator and all training to become a certified CRC. Upon completion of the program, each trainee will have received training and in-depth knowledge of cell and gene therapy research and clinical trials for those interested in pursuing or continuing a clinical research career at UC Irvine.
Target Audience: Candidates that have successfully completed lower division courses in biology, chemistry, or the SCRC stem cell techniques course. This program will also be beneficial for new clinical research coordinators as they start their clinical research career at UC Irvine. The tuition for this program will be $5,000.
The cohort of CRCTP Trainees will be confirmed by early January 2026, so you can plan for the winter session. For more information, please contact Dr. Monique Williams.
Deadline: Dec. 12, 2025 | |
| | |
| Enroll Now! PhD Students & Postdocs: NIH Fellowship Success |
| Instructor: Dr. David Fruman (Academic Director, GPS-STEM)
We encourage students in their second or third year of PhD training to enroll, with the goal of submitting (or resubmitting) a fellowship application in 2026. Early-stage postdocs are also welcome. The course number is University Studies 231, and course code is 87890. Postdocs can join as auditors by emailing Dr. Fruman.
Thursdays, starting Jan. 8, 2026, 4 to 4:50 p.m.
Location: NatSci 2, Room 4201 | |
| | |
| Federal Agency Intelligence Guides Available |
| UC Irvine partners with McAllister & Quinn, a federal grant consulting firm. One of the resources the firm provides are federal agency guides. These guides provide comprehensive overviews of various federal agencies or funding mechanisms.
These guides are available for request:
- NIH Agency Engagement
- NIH R01
- NIH R35
- NIH T32
- NIH U Series
- DOD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
Please do not distribute these guides. If you would like to share with a UCI colleague, please have them complete the request form. | | Back to top | | | |
| | |
| Tallie Baram, MD, PhD (Pediatrics), and Laura Glynn, PhD, received a contract from Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) titled, “Leveraging Large-scale Data-Science and Deep Phenotyping to Determine the Impact of a Novel Type of Early-life Adversity on Children’s Health.” This is a collaboration between UC Irvine, Chapman University and CHOC.
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 | | | |
| | |
| 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.
| |
| | |
|
| | Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
|
Postdocs! Apply for the Rising Stars Symposium at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies
During the symposium at the Salk Institute, selected candidates will have the opportunity to participate in the following:
- Present their novel research in a symposium setting and interact with other trainees and colleagues who are at the forefront of their respective fields.
- Network with Salk faculty one-on-one and be paired with a Salk faculty member for mentorship following the symposium.
- Learn about the institute, expose them to the ongoing developments at Salk, and inform them of upcoming faculty recruitment opportunities.
Travel costs and lodging accommodations associated with attending the symposium will be covered by the Salk Institute. Apply here.
Deadline: Dec. 15, 2025
| |
| | |
| Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF) Grant Opportunities |
| The Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF) has announced several grant opportunities. These grants provide vital support to early-career researchers and postdoctoral fellows eager to make a difference in arthritis and related autoimmune research. Their offerings include the Arthritis and Related Autoimmune Disease Research Grant, Psoriatic Arthritis Research Grant, Rheum for Kids: Pediatric Skin and Joint Grant in collaboration with PeDRA, and Postdoctoral Physician Scientist Fellowship.
Awards range from $50,000 to $250,000, supporting projects from one to two years. They encourage researchers from diverse fields to explore these opportunities and apply.
Deadline: Jan. 9, 2026 | |
| | |
| Courageous Postdocs Aiming to Go Further - Branco Weiss Fellowship |
| The ideal applicant for a Branco Weiss Fellowship leverages the freedom offered by the fellowship to design a surprisingly novel and scientifically rigorous research project. The fellowship addresses junior researchers with a record of outstanding scientific achievement and a passion for venturing into new territory. To give you an impression of what kind of qualifications a typical Branco Weiss Fellow should have, please check the current fellow profiles, as well as selected alumni portraits.
A Branco Weiss Fellowship amounts to max. CHF 600,000 for up to five years. It may be used to cover all legitimate costs of research (i.e., salary and/or equipment, travel expenses, consumables, personnel, etc.). Apply here for the Branco Weiss Fellowship.
Deadline: Jan. 15, 2026, at 3 p.m.
| |
| | |
| UC Cancer Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) Fellowships |
| CRCC Fellowships support meritorious mentored research spanning all areas from basic research to applied clinical and community-based research in any field relevant to cancer.
Eligible PIs must be trainees conducting mentored research at one of the 10 UC campuses:
- Predoctoral students with an anticipated graduation date of 12–18 months from award start date;
- Scholars with doctoral degrees who are within the first 3 years of their appointment at award start date.
Learn more about how to apply for CRCC Fellowships.
Deadline: Jan. 22, 2026, by Noon
| |
| | |
|
| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
|
UC Noyce Initiative RFP for Computational HealthThe UC Noyce Computational Health request for proposals (RFP) is now open and accepting applications from UC researchers and faculty from participating UC campuses: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, San Francisco, Santa Barbara – multi-campus teams required. The focus is on computational health, specifically multi-scale integration for the use of data, models and methods that bridge four key areas: - Genomic ↔ Transcriptomic ↔ Proteomic layers
- Single-cell ↔ Tissue-level ↔ Organism-wide observations
- Biological ↔ Behavioral ↔ Environmental influences
- Mechanistic data ↔ Clinical phenotypes ↔ Real-world outcomes
Eligibility: PI status at one of the UC Noyce Initiative campuses Contact Mike Gallo with questions. Deadline: Dec. 19, 2025 | |
| | |
| Limited: The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation awards program |
| The mission of The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation is to advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring scientific research that will benefit mankind. Basic scientific research with potential translational application is central to this goal and fundamental to their operating principles. The Mathers Foundation welcomes research in immunology, structural biology, cancer biology, microbiome, genetics, genomics, structural biology, cellular physiology, neuroscience, and microbiology & infectious diseases.
The total funding for this award is $600,000–$700,000 over three years, including 10% indirect costs.
UC Irvine may submit only three applications for this award opportunity. Apply here via UCI Review.
Deadline: Jan. 5, 2026
| |
| | |
| Limited: Ono Pharma Foundation Breakthrough Science |
| The Ono Pharma Foundation’s goal is to accelerate high-risk and high-reward basic science research projects that have the potential to lead to scientific discoveries and solutions towards breakthrough treatments for patients. The Ono Pharma Foundation will only consider proposals for new scientific research projects addressing Chemical Biology Research, defined as research at the interface between chemistry and biology. They are especially looking for unique chemistry tools that can be used to answer biological questions related to human health and disease. Chemical Biology includes all scientific disciplines that aim to understand and control cellular and human biology at the chemical level.
UC Irvine may submit only two applications for this award opportunity. Interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary application to the Office of Research via UCI Review.
Deadline: Jan. 5, 2026
| |
| | |
| UC Cancer Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) Faculty Seed Grants |
| The CRCC is a systemwide, faculty-directed cancer research program that provides grants for topics in any discipline that address any aspect of cancer, including its origins, prevention and cure. CRCC funds support meritorious research spanning all areas from basic research to applied clinical and community-based research in any field relevant to cancer.
Faculty Seed Grants are offered via two award categories: New Assistant Professor applications (NAP) and Regular applications (REG).
Recommended applicant webinars will be held on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, and Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.
Learn more about how to apply for CRCC Faculty Seed Grants.
Deadline: Jan. 22, 2026, by Noon
| | Back to top | | | |
| | | Upcoming Seminars & Events |
| | |
| Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series |
|
Decoding Combinatorial Transcription Factor Control of Cell Identity, by Seungsoo Kim, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, UC Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall
| |
| | |
| Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar |
| Targeting the mTORC1–eIF4A1 Axis Suppresses Oncogenic Fatty Acid Desaturation, by Yujin Chun, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. PT
Location: Plumwood House, Room 166, and Via Zoom
Contact Katrina Pagdayunan to join via Zoom.
| |
| | |
| Muscle Biology & Disease Research Center Monthly Seminar Series |
| Universal hiPSC Skeletal Muscle Cell Therapy for Localized Atrophic Muscles after Chemoradiation in Sarcomas, by Michael Hicks, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, Dec. 11, 1 p.m.
Location: Plumwood Lecture Hall and Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 801 928 4256 | |
| | |
| Workshop on Spatial Transcriptomics and Analysis Tools |
| This workshop will introduce data analysis workflow with both sequencing and imaging based spatial transcriptomics platforms, using 10x Visium HD and Xenium as examples. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own project data for analysis and discussion. Instructors: Jenny Wu, PhD, Director of Bioinformatics, and Ivan Chang, PhD, Research Computing Specialist. Learn more about this workshop hosted by the UCI Genomics Research & Technology Hub.
Friday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Medical Education Building, Room 4020 | |
| | |
| Center for Neural Circuit Mapping Seminar |
| | From Chinese Medicine to an American “Alternative”: China, the Cold War and the Americanization of Acupuncture, by Emily Baum, PhD, Professor, Department of History, UC Irvine School of Humanities. Hosted by the UC Irvine Center for Neural Circuit Mapping.
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, Room 2200, 847 Health Sciences Road, Irvine, CA 92697
| |
| | |
| Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries Monthly Speaker Series |
| Adolescent Depression in the Digital Age: Evidence from Cohort, Embedded-Burst and Two-Generation Studies, by Candice Odgers, PhD, Associate Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Psychology and Informatics, UC Irvine. Hosted by the UC Irvine Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries.
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 10 to 11 a.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Thorp Conference Center, 4001 Gross Hall and Via Zoom | |
| | |
| The LFD/AIM Workshop on "FLuorescence Advanced Imaging Research" (FLAIR) |
| Join the UC Irvine Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics (LFD) and UC Berkeley’s Advanced Imaging Methods (AIM) for a four-day comprehensive workshop that combines cutting-edge fluorescence imaging expertise from both institutions and coverage on essential topics. Learn more about the course and featured speakers (PDF). Questions? Email Adeela at adeelas@uci.edu.
Jan. 12-15, 2026
Location: Hybrid event at UC Irvine and Online | |
| | |
| Master of Science in Biomedical and Translational Science (MS-BATS) Informational Session |
| Jumpstart your career in clinical and translational research! The MS-BATS is a 1-year master’s program (Capstone Project or Thesis Option) designed to train students to conduct high-quality multidisciplinary clinical research at the intersection of basic science and clinical medicine. Students from various training backgrounds, including medical students, residents, fellows, physicians, nurses and others interested in excelling as an effective clinical and translational researcher will benefit from this program. This informational session will provide attendees with an overview of the MS-BATS program and answer any questions.
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 5 to 6 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
| | |
| Hosted by the UC Irvine Center for RNA Science & Therapeutics (CRST). Join the CSRT for a scientific symposium featuring multiple speakers focused on basic and translational RNA science. Learn more about the speakers and the agenda.
Friday, Jan. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, Sue Gross Auditorium, 856 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, CA | |
| | |
| Grand Rounds and CME Symposia |
| | For Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities, view the weekly Grand Rounds & CME Symposia email. | | Back to top | | | |
| | |
| Postdoctoral Fellowship in Epidemiology, Aging, Alzheimer's & Dementia |
| The Ezzati Lab is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of epidemiology, cognitive neuroscience, and data-driven aging research, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The fellow will contribute to large-scale, multi-institutional studies exploring how demographic, biological, and digital behavioral factors shape cognitive aging trajectories and dementia risk. The group combines advanced analytic methods with deep clinical and epidemiologic insight, providing an exceptional environment for interdisciplinary training and career development. Candidates with backgrounds in epidemiology, neuroscience, or psychology who are passionate about understanding and preventing cognitive decline are especially encouraged to apply. Apply via UCI Recruit.
Closing Date: Dec. 20, 2025 | |
| | |
| 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.
| | Back to top | | | |
| | |
| What kind of grant support does the School of Medicine Research Development Unit provide? |
| | |
| | |
| 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
| | Back to top | | | |
|
