funding

Among recent U.S. EDA cuts is the 45-year-old University Centers program

SSTI has learned from Ben Page, deputy assistant secretary for economic development and chief operating officer in the U.S. Department of Commerce that U.S. Economic Development Administration is discontinuing funding for the University Centers, Trade Adjustment Assistance to Firms, and STEM Talent Challenge programs. The reason cited was budget constraints. 

Modest Tech Hubs funding included in FY 2026 appropriation bills

House and Senate subcommittees with oversight for Commerce, State and Justice appropriations differ on funding recommendations for the EDA Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program, commonly referred to as Tech Hubs. While any funding in a tight budget environment is good, the $50 million in the House version of the CJS bill or the Senate subcommittee’s $60 million is far short of Congress’s original vision for the Tech Hubs, authorized at $10 billion over ten years.

NIH posts modifications to proposal application and review process

How one applies and has their proposal reviewed to gain a small share of the world's largest funding source for life science research is changing. The following highlights modifications affecting grant applications submitted to the National Institutes of Health for due dates on or after January 25, 2025, as posted on their Implementation of New Initiatives and Policies page.

Global competition intensifies for US research talent amid funding uncertainty

As U.S. research institutions face funding uncertainty, countries and universities worldwide are launching initiatives to lure away our scientific talent:

As U.S. research institutions face funding uncertainty, countries and universities worldwide are launching initiatives to lure away our scientific talent:

  • Twelve EU countries signed a letter calling for dedicated funding and an immigration framework in the next EU budget. Individual countries are taking separate actions.
  • Belgium’s Vrije Universiteit Brussel has allocated €2.5 million ($2.7 million) for 12 postdoctoral fellowships specifically targeting American researchers through its European Marie Skłodowska-Curie program.

National Academy of Sciences president advocates for a national research strategy to coordinate basic research

In a recent State of the Science address, National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt called attention to what she sees as an alarming trend: the federal contribution to basic research is stagnating while industry funding is rising. The federal share of U.S. spending on basic research, she said, was down from about 60% in 2011 to 40% in 2021.

NSF is accepting EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals

The NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) is accepting EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals that will advance the state of the art in assessing place-based innovation's societal and economic impacts. This funding opportunity aims to address gaps in publicly available data and associated knowledge to adequately and appropriately benchmark activities in place-based innovation grounded in integrating research and development, translation, and workforce development.