| Updates from the UCI Office of Research |
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Funding Opportunity Guidance
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When reviewing grant opportunities, please:
- Confirm institutional eligibility. UC Irvine is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority Serving Institution (MSI). However, some funding is restricted to community-based organizations, EPSCoR states, or other institution types where UCI may not qualify. If unsure, please contact your school/department contracts and grants administrator or Sponsored Projects staff.
- Confirm PI eligibility. Carefully review solicitation requirements and definitions (e.g., "basic research," "translational research"). Contact the program officer listed in the solicitation if uncertain.
- Identify submission restrictions. Check if there are limits on the number of LOIs, preproposals or proposals UCI can submit. These "limited submission" opportunities are managed through internal competitions by the Office of Research, announced via Zotmail and posted on Fundopp.
- Report new limited submissions. If you discover a limited opportunity we haven't announced, please notify your school's Research Development Officer or Dr. Mike Gallo immediately to allow adequate preparation time.
The current federal funding landscape is generating numerous off-cycle and supplemental foundation opportunities, making your role in determining eligibility and communicating with us more critical than ever.
Questions? Please reach out to Dr. Gallo, Director of Research Development in the Office of Research.
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Physician Scientist Collective Network Hosts Thu Le, MD
NEXT WEEK
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GSTM1 in Kidney Disease: From the Bench to the Dining Table and Clinical Trial, a Journey Toward Precision Medicine, by Thu Le, MD, Chair and Professor, Department of Medicine, UC Irvine School of Medicine; Board-Certified Nephrologist, UCI Health
Monday, Dec. 8, Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: UCI Medical Center, Building 53, Room 53-121
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Monthly on Mondays | Faculty Development Series
NEXT WEEK
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Coaching, Mentoring, Allyship and Sponsorship, presented by Michael J. Stamos, MD, Khanh-Van Le-Bucklin, MD, MEd, Emilie Chow, MD, and Amanda Swain, PhD. Monthly on Mondays, presented by Nimisha K. Parekh, MD, and Brian Cummings, PhD, associate deans of faculty development, is a monthly seminar series covering a wide range of topics on faculty development.
Monday, Dec. 8, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
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Interim Guidance on the Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities
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Rescheduling October Application Due Dates: All grant applications submitted late for due dates between Oct. 1, 2025, and Dec. 5, 2025, will be accepted through Dec. 8, 2025. There is no additional 2-week late window. This notice applies to all relevant Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), including those that indicate no late applications will be accepted. Institutions need not request advance permission to submit late due to the government shutdown and a cover letter providing a justification is not required.
Rescheduling Peer Review Meetings: The percent of applications discussed in most meetings will be reduced to 30-35%, instead of the current ~50%. Summary statements will be simplified. The modifications in review practices will be in place through the May 2026 Advisory Council.
Review for information on post-submission materials, Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR) and more: NOT-OD-26-012: Updated Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities Following the October 1, 2025 - Lapse in Appropriations
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Implementing a Unified NIH Funding Strategy to Guide Consistent and Clearer Award Decisions
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Building on the August NIH director’s statement, NIH released this framework (effective January 2026 Council round).
Going forward, Institutes, Centers and Offices (ICOs) will be considering peer review information in its entirety. NIH ICOs will not rely on funding paylines in developing pay plans. Rather, ICOs will consider these scores in context of their and NIH’s priorities, strategic plans and budgets. ICO directors will continue to have the delegated authority to decide what is funded by their ICOs.
Review this article for more information: Implementing a Unified NIH Funding Strategy to Guide Consistent and Clearer Award Decisions
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University of California (UC) Guidance on the Revised NIH Public Access Policy, Effective July 2025
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In 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued a memo requiring all federal agencies to develop or revise their respective agency policies to make journal articles and data arising from federally funded research publicly available immediately upon publication, updating previous requirements which allowed for an embargo (delay after publication) of up to 12 months. OSTP requires that these new or revised federal funding agency policies go into effect no later than Dec. 31, 2025. Implementation details and guidance will vary; see your funder’s website for more details.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revised its Public Access Policy effective July 1, 2025. (Originally, this revised policy had an effective date of Dec. 31, 2025, but in April, NIH moved that date to July.)
Review the Guidance on the Revised NIH Public Access Policy, Effective July 2025, for more details about how to comply with the NIH policy.
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Call for Applications: CIRM UC Irvine Alpha Clinic Clinical Research Coordinator Accelerated Training Program
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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
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Enroll Now! PhD Students & Postdocs: NIH Fellowship Success
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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
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Federal Agency Intelligence Guides Available
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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.
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Lauren Otsuka, graduate student (Borrelli lab, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics), received the 2025 Estée Lauder Epigenetics Fellowship in honor of Paolo Sassone-Corsi. The Estée Lauder Epigenetics Fellowship supports the training of PhD graduate students who carry out groundbreaking research in epigenetics and the molecular mechanisms underlying human disorders/diseases.
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.
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| | Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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Limited: 2026 Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award
This award provides $600,000 over three years to support outstanding early-career physician-scientists committed to translational and clinical research that directly impacts patient care. $200,000 per year (no indirects allowed). The Foundation will also repay up to $100,000 of outstanding medical school debt for the awardee. Apply via InfoReady.
Deadline: Dec. 8, 2025, at 3 p.m.
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Postdocs! Apply for the Rising Stars Symposium at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies
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The Rising Stars Symposium is intended to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding postdoctoral trainees in the scientific workforce who have made foundational discoveries in their science and contributed to positive and meaningful societal outcomes beyond the lab. The dates for the symposium are May 13-14, 2026.
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
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Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF) Grant Opportunities
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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
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Courageous Postdocs Aiming to Go Further - Branco Weiss Fellowship
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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.
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| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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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
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Limited: The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation awards program
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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
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Limited: Ono Pharma Foundation Breakthrough Science
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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
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| Upcoming Seminars & Events |
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Department of Biological Chemistry Dissertation Defense
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Clearing the Smoke: Investigating the Impacts of Electronic and Tobacco Cigarettes on Mutant Hematopoiesis, by Jeanette Sullivan, PhD candidate, Dr. Angela Fleischman Lab, Department of Biological Chemistry, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m.
Location: Hybrid event at Gross Hall Rm 4001, Thorp Conference Center, and Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 977 0673 7327 | Passcode: 386519
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Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series
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Translation Under Tension: How Cells Rewire Protein Synthesis Under Stress, by Rémi Buisson, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Chemistry, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall
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Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar
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H. Pylori Carinogenesis: Host and Bug Changes During Stomach Cancer Development, by Nina Salama, PhD, Professor and Senior Vice President of Education, Human Biology & Public Health Sciences Divisions; Dr. Penny E. Peterson Memorial Chair for Lymphoma Research, Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 4 p.m. PT
Location: Tamkin F-114 and Via Zoom
Contact Katrina Pagdayunan to join via Zoom.
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Department of Physiology & Biophysics Research in Progress Seminar
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|  Mengyu Zhang
Graduate Student
Vladimir Kefalov, PhD, Lab
|  Alex Moshensky
Graduate Student
Francesco Marangoni, PhD, Lab
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Trajectories and Kinetics of Tumor-associated Macrophage Plasticity In Vivo, by Alex Moshensky
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 4 to 5 p.m.
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall
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2025 Federal R&D Updates Webinar
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In this Navigating the R&D Landscape into 2026 webinar, McAllister & Quinn panelists will unpack key developments, including the FY26 R&D budget and the latest on appropriations. We will discuss the current challenges facing the R&D enterprise, federal agency updates, and look ahead to next year and FY27.
Thursday, Dec. 4, 9 to 10 a.m.
Via Zoom
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UC Irvine Center for Aging Research in Down Syndrome Research Seminar Series
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From Engineered Alterations of Genes and Chromosomes in Mice to Insights into Human Biology and Diseases, by Y. Eugene Yu, PhD, Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Hosted by the UC Irvine Center for Aging Research in Down Syndrome (CFAR-DS).
Friday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. PT
Via Zoom
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Stem Cell Seminar Lecture Series
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The Ethics of Human Brain Organoids & Human-Animal Neural Chimeras, by John Evans, PhD, Professor, Tata Chancellor’s Chair in Social Sciences, Associate Dean of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, UC San Diego. Hosted by the UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.
Friday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center (4th Floor)
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UCI SKIN: A Skin Biology Resource Center Distinguished Speaker Series
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Circadian Disruption, Genomic Instability, and Their Impacts on Skin Carcinogenesis, by Shobhan Gaddameedhi, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University. Hosted by the UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.
Friday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to Noon PT
Location: Hybrid event at Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, 2nd Floor Seminar Room, and Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 963 6269 7873
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Panel Discussion on Single Cell Multi-Omics: From Technology to Analysis
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Explore the rapidly evolving world of single-nucleus omics—from transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility to multi-omic integration and downstream analysis. Learn more about this event hosted by the UCI Genomics Research & Technology Hub. Speakers: - Vivek Swarup, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, UC Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
- Jing Zhang, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, UC Irvine Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences
- Kai Kessenbrock, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Chemistry, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: UC Irvine Bill & Sue Gross Stem Cell Research Center, Thorp Conference Center
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Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar
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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.
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Muscle Biology & Disease Research Center Monthly Seminar Series
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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
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Workshop on Spatial Transcriptomics and Analysis Tools
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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
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Center for Neural Circuit Mapping Seminar
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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
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Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries Monthly Speaker Series
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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
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The LFD/AIM Workshop on "FLuorescence Advanced Imaging Research" (FLAIR)
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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
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Postdoctoral Fellowship in Epidemiology, Aging, Alzheimer's & Dementia
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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
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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?
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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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