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News & Updates
NSF Funding to EPSCoR States
NSF RFPs have been scarce in the last several months, and it’s been difficult for researchers to apply for funding. However, as a result of the CHIPS and Science Act, the NSF is required to spend at least 18% of its total funding in EPSCoR states. Because many RFPs are still being revised and are unavailable for application, NSF program officers recommend applying to the appropriate directorates using the PAPPG. No RFP is required.
Writing a grant using the PAPPG may feel somewhat unanchored, but the process is the same, and the format is standardized. It is also important to note that there are supplemental policy notices that PIs must be aware of.
If you’d like assistance in developing a proposal using just the PAPPG, the Office of Research Development can assist. We’d be happy to help you develop a proposal strategy, provide a proposal development checklist, and conduct a proposal review to increase your project’s competitiveness.
Innovative UM Aphasia Program Advances Recovery for Stroke Survivors
June is Aphasia Awareness Month, and the University of Montana’s Big Sky Aphasia Program provides high-quality, research-driven speech and language therapy to people with language deficits caused by brain injury.
Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to speak, read, write and understand language, often as a result of a stroke or other brain injury. An estimated 2 million to 4 million people in the United States are living with aphasia each year, and about 180,000 acquire aphasia annually, according to the National Aphasia Association.
“Our research explores the impact of high-intensity behavioral interventions for aphasia,” said Dr. Jenna Musick, an assistant professor in UM’s School of Speech, Language, Hearing and Occupational Sciences. “BSAP is a community aphasia program, internationally recognized for its clinical innovation, research productivity and accessibility and focus on providing aphasia treatment to rural residents.” Read the entire story on UM News.
UM Researcher Uncovers How Atmospheric Rivers Recharge the Arid West
The steady release of groundwater from the fractured rock that composes most mountainous regions sustains ecosystems and human activity during periods of drought. These groundwater systems are critically important for communities in mountainous areas such as Missoula, according to new research from the University of Montana.
“Drought and inconsistent snow accumulation in recent winters have resulted in significant depletion of mountain groundwater, composing over 90% of the total water lost in mountainous regions over the past two decades,” said Swarr, who earned his doctorate in geosciences from UM this spring. “However, in the Western United States excessive amounts of precipitation during infrequent extremely wet winters can result in significant replenishment of mountain groundwater, driving conditions from historic lows back to normal in as few as six months.” Read the entire story on UM News.
Funding & Other Opportunities
NSF 25-540: National Science Foundation Translation to Practice (NSF TTP)
Deadline:NSF TTP-E (pilot track) supplements are accepted at any time
The NSF Translation to Practice (NSF TTP) program focuses on real-world applications of all areas of Science, Technology, Engineering,and Mathematics (STEM). The NSF TTP-E track is designed to encourage current, eligible NSF awardees to intentionally pursue applications of their research with the potential for societal impact. The cognizant NSF Program Officer (PO) may recommend the extension of funding for the translation from foundational to use-inspired research and initial translational activities for a period of up to two years. The objective of such an extension is to offer investigators an opportunity to attack adventurous, high-risk opportunities in the same general research area, that are not covered by the original/current award.
PIs who believe that their projects have promising, translation-ready outcomes may identify themselves by requesting consideration for TTP-E from their cognizant NSF PO approximately 1-year prior to the end of their individual investigator award (before submission of a renewal request). The PI should make the request for consideration via email, by providing a 3- to 5-page description of future translational, use-inspired and initial translational activities. This description should include details of the research to be pursued, the opportunity (or gap) the technology translation would address, the role of any potential partners (encouraged, but not required), the role of students and/or postdocs, etc. The cognizant NSF PO will review this description along with at least 1 (and preferably 2) submitted and approved annual report(s).
The Mathematical Biology Program supports research in all areas of mathematical sciences with relevance to the biological sciences. Successful proposals must demonstrate mathematical innovation, biological relevance and significance, and strong integration between mathematics and biology.
Funding Reminders
Follow links for complete details
Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences (DMS/NIGMS)
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. Read the updated NOFO on the NIH website.
Events
Webinar: NSF SBIR/STTR New Funding Opportunity for Scientific Instrumentation
Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM MDT
NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (NSF SBIR/STTR) program directors will go over the new pilot initiative focused on enabling technologies that include next-generation instrumentation, novel experimental platforms, and other scientific equipment. Register here.
New Awards
Grants
Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery, Selkirk Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Monitoring, funded by the Kalispell Tribal Headquarters, $40,000.
Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Recovery, Trans-border Grizzly Bear Project 2026-2027, funded by the Liz Claiborne Foundation, $122,500.
Lisa Eby, College of Forestry, Restoration of SE National Forests, funded by the USDA Forest Service through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, $604,632.
Andrij Holian, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Particle-induced chronic inflammation, funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, $200,000.
Jennifer Jones, O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, National Wetland Condition Assessment 2026, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency through the MT DEQ, $185,150.
Yoichiro Kanno, College of Forestry, Graduate Fellowship, funded by the National Science Foundation, $53,000.
Brian Loyd, Neural Injury Center, RAMP in Naval and Marine Corps Aviation, funded by the Office of Naval Research through the University of Kentucky, $57,126.
Alex Metcalf, College of Forestry, Wolf Livestock Review, funded by the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, $7,500.
Rachel Malison, Flathead Lake Biological Station, Madison Pesticides, funded by the Madison River Foundation, $2,835.
Christopher Migliaccio, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Summer Undergraduate Research Program, funded by the NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, $126,016.
William Rice, College of Forestry, Signage noxious weeds, funded by the MT Department of Agriculture, $50,185.
Tony Ward, School of Public and Community Health, SPARK Symposium, funded by the MT Dept of Environmental Quality, $2,500.
Contracts
Elizabeth Barrs, Mansfield Center, DLNSEO Language Instruction Services Contract, funded by the US Department of Defense through Ascensus Global, Inc., $80,915.
Kate Chapin, Center for Children and Families, Enhancing the Capacity of Rural Schools, funded by the US Department of Education through the University of Missouri Foundation, $67,608.
Jeffrey Michael, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Short-term Rental Impact, funded by Airbnb, Inc., $30,000.
Jeffrey Michael, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Data Center Economic Analysis, Montana Chamber of Commerce, $59,448.
Daniel Walsh, MT Coop Wildlife Research, Phalarope Tagging and Bird Banding, funded by MT Fish Wildlife and Parks, $7,209.
Robert Hall, Flathead Lake Biological Station, River Corridor Reaction to Scale, funded by the US Department of Energy through the Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest Division, $98,471.
Cooperative Agreements
Jeffrey Michael, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Housing Needs Assessment, MT Department of Commerce, $90,000.
Maegan Ridesatthedoor, National Native Children’s Trauma Center, Native Child Advocacy Resource Center, funded by the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, $700,000.
Jon McRoberts, CIRE, Vegetation Management, Badlands SD, funded by the USDI Interior Business Center, $170,178.
Limited Submissions
When a program announcement limits the number of proposals that we may submit, we have an internal process to ensure that we do not exceed that limit. If you're interested in one of the following opportunities, follow the instructions to submit a concept by the Internal Deadline indicated below. PIs must confirm eligibility prior to submission.
Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation
Internal deadline: Noon on June 10, 2026
Funder Deadline: July 1, 2026
We currently have one interested applicant for this opportunity. We can only submit one proposal, so if you are interested in submitting for the July 1 deadline, please reach out directly to Katherine Swan by noon on June 10 to let her know. If we have multiple interested applicants, we will request additional detail at that time.
G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation
Internal deadline: June 18 (end of day)
Funder deadline: Nominations due July 17, 2026, LOI due July 31, 2026
