| | | Updates from the UCI Office of Research |
| | |
| Interim Guidance on the Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities |
| NIH publishes policy changes on this webpage, with the most recent update describing Interim Guidance on the Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities (NOT-OD-26-005). This notice includes plans to reschedule some grant application submission deadlines and provides details on missed review meetings and other activities following the government shutdown. To keep up to date, subscribe to the NIH listserv.
| |
| | |
| Physician Scientist Collective Network Hosts Thu Le, MD |
| 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 | |
| | |
| 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 | | Back to top | | | |
| | |
| 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 | |
| | |
|
| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
|
Limited: Mary Kay Ash Foundation Research GrantThe Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking to nominate one candidate for this funding opportunity. Funds translational research projects focused on cancers affecting women, including breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine and other predominant female cancers. Grants support innovative projects advancing prevention, diagnosis and treatment. 2 years | Up to $100,000 ($50,000 per year) Apply via InfoReady. Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025 | |
| | |
| Limited: W.M. Keck Foundation Research Program Grants |
| In reviewing proposals, the W.M. Keck Foundation program officers first ask, “What’s the new science?” Concept papers should provide a compelling argument that new knowledge discovery will result from the proposed project. The project should focus on answering a specific question and not be an open-ended investigation. Research may be any of the STEM fields. Keck does not want projects that reflect the “next logical step” in your research; rather, they encourage out-of-the-box thinking. The foundation focuses on basic research enabling pioneering discoveries. They believe new technologies and methodologies are often required to be able to ask hard questions or revisit old paradigms, but the technology cannot be the end goal – investigating a problem with the technology you develop should be the goal. For this reason, most grants involve collaborators from other labs and other fields. Apply via InfoReady.
Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025
| |
| | |
| The Engineering+ Health Institute (e+ Health) invites UC Irvine faculty to submit pilot project proposals advancing or applying antibody design, engineering and evolution. Supported by a generous gift from the Samueli Foundation, the institute seeks to fund innovative projects that:
- Expand e+ Health’s antibody generation and evolution technologies, or
- Leverage these technologies to address novel challenges in life sciences and health.
Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT
| |
| | |
| Campus-Community Research Incubator (CCRI) Grant Program: Community-Engaged Research Request for Applications |
| The Campus-Community Research Incubator Program (CCRI) is a funding mechanism designed to foster collaborative, research-oriented relationships between university researchers and community organizations. Annually, there are two levels of grant funding available:
- Mini CCRI: Up to $5,000 (for capacity- and partnership-building applications)
- Exploratory CCRI funds: Up to $10,000 in total costs (for collection of pilot or formative data, QI, and evaluation-based applications)
Eligibility: Grants are awarded only to teams comprised of UC Irvine researchers and community organization representatives. Applicants must include:
- An organization based in the community, with preference to those located in Orange County, California
- UCI-based researchers, including faculty, healthcare providers, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students (with appropriate mentorship), and/or senior researchers. You must be an ICTS member to apply. Membership is completely free and easy to sign up!
Office hours: Thursday, Oct. 30, 2 to 3 p.m. | RegisterLearn more about request for applications.
Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025 | |
| | |
| UC Noyce Initiative RFP for Computational Health |
| The 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 | |
| | |
| Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment and Network Development (STAND) Award |
| The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) has announced a one-time $500K funding opportunity in an effort to expand the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) Level 2 facility network. The funding will support awarded facilities in working toward achieving or maintaining NSPS Level 2 minimum capabilities through facility planning, preparedness, and training & workforce development.
Complete the Interest Form to be notified when the application opens.
| | Back to top | | | |
| | | Upcoming Seminars & Events |
| | |
| CHOC Research Day 2025 will celebrate the groundbreaking work happening across CHOC’s Research Institute, spotlighting this year’s theme: “It Starts with One Child.” This event will highlight the depth and impact of our research efforts, while also serving as a dynamic platform for connection and collaboration. Wednesday, Nov. 19, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Online and in-person at CHOC Southwest Tower, 555 S. Main Street, Orange, CA 92868 | |
| | |
| Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries Monthly Speaker Series |
| Predicting Risk and Resilience for Depression in Childhood and Adolescence, by Deanna M. Barch, PhD, Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Psychiatry, and Radiology; Vice Dean of Research, Arts & Sciences, Gregory P. Couch Professor of Psychiatry, Washington University. Hosted by the UC Irvine Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries.
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 10 to 11 a.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Thorp Conference Center, 4001 Gross Hall and Via Zoom | |
| | |
| Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series |
|
Spatial Multi-omics of Single-cell Nuclear Architecture in Complex Tissues, by Yodai Takei, PhD, Research Scientist, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall
| |
| | |
| Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar |
| Mechanisms Driving Gene Silencing, Activation and Early Mammalian Development, by Heidi Cook-Andersen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, UC San Diego School of Medicine; Department of Molecular Biology, UCSD School of Biological Sciences
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 4 p.m. PT
Location: Plumwood House, Room 166, and Via Zoom
Contact Katrina Pagdayunan to join via Zoom.
| |
| | |
| 2025 Special Symposium: Imaging and Mapping Neural Circuits in Health & Disease |
|
Join the UC Irvine Center for Neural Circuit Mapping for a one-day Post-SfN Symposium, where they will bring together leading experts to share the latest advances in neural circuit imaging, mapping and functional analysis. Thursday, Nov. 20, 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Sue Gross Auditorium, College of Health Sciences Building, 854 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, CA 92617 | |
| | |
| Gina Lee Award for Excellence in Mentoring Basic Science Research Trainees Lecture | Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics |
| Inter-organ Metabolic Crosstalk in Aging and Cardiovascular Disease, by Cholsoon Jang, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Chemistry, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. PT
Location: Plumwood House, Room 166, and Via Zoom
Contact Katrina Pagdayunan to join via Zoom.
| |
| | |
| Physiology & Biophysics Seminar Series |
| Brain Myelin as an Energy Source in Health and Disease, by Carlos Matute, PhD, Professor, Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) Thursday, Nov. 20, 4 to 5 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and Via Zoom
Contact Claire Chen to join via Zoom.
| |
| | |
| Center for Neural Circuit Mapping Seminar |
| | Towards Scalable Open-Source Platforms for Long-Term Neural and Behavioral Research in Naturally Behaving Animals, by Daniel Aharoni, PhD, Associate Professor in Residence, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Hosted by the UC Irvine Center for Neural Circuit Mapping.
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, Room 2200, 847 Health Sciences Road, Irvine, CA 92697
| |
| | |
| Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar |
| 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.
| |
| | |
| UC Irvine Center for Aging Research in Down Syndrome Research Seminar Series |
| 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
| |
| | |
| Stem Cell Seminar Lecture Series |
| 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)
| |
| | |
| UCI SKIN: A Skin Biology Resource Center Distinguished Speaker Series |
| 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
| |
| | |
| Monthly on Mondays | Faculty Development Series |
| 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 | |
| | |
| Panel Discussion on Single Cell Multi-Omics: From Technology to Analysis |
| 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
| |
| | |
| 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.
| |
| | |
| 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
| |
| | |
| 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 | |
| | |
| Grand Rounds and CME Symposia |
| | For Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities, view the weekly Grand Rounds & CME Symposia email. | | Back to top | | | |
| | |
| Postdoctoral Scholar Position in the Ostlund Lab |
| The Ostlund Lab was just awarded a new NIDA R01 to study circuit and neurochemical mechanisms of cognitive and motivational deficits in opioid withdrawal. Reach out by email with questions. Apply via UCI Recruit.
Closing Date: Dec. 1, 2025 | |
| | |
| 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 | | | |
|
