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Resources
Anticipation ➡️ Readiness ➡️ Opportunity
Develop a concept paper to pitch your research
As an NSF Program Director recently put it, "I can't fund a proposal that doesn't come across my desk."
Proposal volume is down, not just at UM but across the US, and we need to make sure federal funding agencies know that research is vibrant, ongoing, and essential.
While the NSF, NIH, USDA and other agencies have slowed the release of funding opportunities this cycle, most remain funded at levels comparable to previous years. As a result, a significant portion of these funds has yet to be distributed. Many in the research community anticipate a potential surge of funding in the coming months. These opportunities will likely have short turnaround times, favoring investigators who are prepared to respond.
This summer, consider developing a one-to-two-page concept paper for one or more of your research areas. Think of this as a “preproposal,” a flexible document that’s easy to adapts when opportunities arise. If you need help getting started, use these guiding questions:
What is the problem?
What is your solution?
Why does it matter?
Who will benefit?
Why is your approach unique?
How will you know if you’ve succeeded?
If you’d like help developing a short, descriptive, and persuasive concept paper, please contact the Office of Research Development for assistance. And please read further to check out some open funding opportunities aligned with UM's strengths.
News & Updates
The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2026
The NSF and NSB have released the 2026 State of U.S. Science and Engineering. This report summarizes major findings about science and technology. It covers STEM education at all levels, the STEM workforce, research and development performance, innovation and technology transfer, and competitiveness in high‑tech industries.
ORCS Strategic Planning
ORCS will convene a strategic planning committee in the fall to help guide the direction of the research office into the future. Please email Paul Lukacs if you want to participate or would like to nominate a colleague. Members of the committee will provide input on the interests and needs of the UM research community and help guide strategic decision making in the office. Committee members will also be a conduit for input from their colleagues to ORCS from all parts of the UM community and all forms of scholarship.
Open Funding Opportunities
NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Deadlines: June 5, 2026; October 5, 2026. Closes January 2028.
The NIH Research Project Grant supports a discrete, specified, circumscribed project in areas representing the specific interests and competencies of the investigator(s). The proposed project must be related to the programmatic interests of one or more of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) based on their scientific missions. This Notice of Funding Opportunity does not accept applications proposing clinical trial(s). Read the updated guidance on the NIH website.
Decision, Risk, and Management Sciences (DRMS)
Deadline: August 18, 2026
The Decision, Risk and Management Sciences Program (DRMS) supports scientific research directed at increasing understanding and effectiveness of decision making by individuals, groups, organizations and society. DRMS supports research with solid foundations in theories and methods of the social and behavioral sciences. This social and behavioral science research should advance knowledge, address fundamental scientific and societal issues and have strong broader impacts. Read the guidance on the NSF website. And familiarize yourself with the changes to the PAPPG.
Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences (DMS/NIGMS)
Deadline: September 1st-September 18th
The Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) plan to support fundamental research in mathematics and statistics necessary to answer questions in the biological and biomedical sciences. Both agencies recognize the need to promote research at the interface between mathematical and life sciences. This program is designed to encourage new collaborations, as well as to support innovative activities by existing teams. Read the entire solicitation on the NSF website. And familiarize yourself with the changes to the PAPPG.
Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)
Deadline: October 21, 2026
The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to support planning and development, including pilot or feasibility research, to improve health in Native populations. Proposed research may address health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, recovery, or services research to inform intervention implementation and dissemination. Research with Native populations requires engagement with tribal partners and communities to develop and/or adapt interventions and clinical trial protocols, understand intervention feasibility and acceptability, and identify and/or develop scientifically rigorous and culturally appropriate study designs and methods. Preparatory studies may fill information gaps, address unknowns, allow for strengthening of partnerships with Native community leaders and organizations, and pilot test the feasibility of the intervention and clinical trial design, thereby improving scientific rigor and cultural appropriateness of a future efficacy, effectiveness, or implementation trial. This NOFO is part of the Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (IRINAH) initiative, which also includes PAR-25-379, which uses the R01 Research Project Grant mechanism. Research projects may address topics within the identified interests of any of the participating Institutes or Centers; projects are not limited to substance use and addiction research. Read the updated NOFO on the NIH website.
UM Chemist Earns Grant to Make Pharmaceutical Manufacturing More Sustainable
“Dong Wang, a University of Montana chemistry associate professor, leads a research team designing molecules that mimic nature to reduce the toxins and energy used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The resulting synthetic molecules could significantly lower the energy and toxic materials now required for precise molecular transformations.
“Six months after receiving a NASA grant to bring space science resources to every public and tribal college library across the state, the University of Montana spectrUM Discovery Area’s Big Sky, Bigger Dreams initiative is underway.
For Nick Wethington, the initiative director, this is a passion project that began in 2013.
Wethington, a longtime astronomy enthusiast and co-president of the Western Montana Astronomical Association, said the project will ignite passion for discovery through science in rural and tribal communities in Montana.
'Big Sky, Bigger Dreams is about empowering individuals by increasing access to free educational resources,” Wethington said. “I can think of no better way to encourage discovery than providing a view of the night sky through a telescope to anyone who has a library card.'” Read the entire story on UM News.
Events
SBIR/STTR Data Rights, a Webinar Hosted by MTIP
SBIR/STTR Data protection is one of the most unique and important protections accorded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) firms. These protections apply to all phases of the SBIR and STTR programs: Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III. For small businesses participating in SBIR/STTR, properly asserting and documenting these rights from day one is a compelling advantage. Register today. For questions, contact the Montana Innovation Partnership.
Meet an ORC
Joni Waldrup
Joni Waldrup has been with OSP since 2008 and in her current role, managing outgoing subrecipient agreements and subrecipient monitoring, since 2014.
Joni’s connections to UM run deep, stretching all the way back to the 1960s and 70s when her uncle Ed was making waves protesting everything from the Vietnam war to his concerns that the university was putting too much emphasis on faculty research over educating students. - Oops. However, unlike her uncle Joni prefers a quiet role, which makes her current position as Subaward Services Manager a perfect fit.
In her free time, Joni balances caring for her two loveable “Velcro kitties” while also being an active member of Run Wild Missoula as a (slow) race participant and volunteer. Joni has also been devoting time to learning the art of woodworking through Missoula’s Lifelong Learning Center, as well as helping others by volunteering in the HomeResource Woodshop.
The Funnies
We asked AI to write a joke about Nick Wethington and Big Sky, Bigger Dreams. Here’s what we got.
Nick Wethington didn't ask for a cape. The cape just sort of appeared when he started handing out telescopes with library cards. That's what happens when you bring the night sky to every public and tribal college library in Montana — the universe notices, and apparently issues you superhero costuming.
BTW, when you see Nick, let him know he's doing a great job!
University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, Montana 59812
