Grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Education

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) will support projects proposing mechanistic studies that will transform our understanding of polysubstance use in addiction. These hypothesis-based, exploratory projects may investigate mechanisms of polysubstance use at the behavioral, cognitive, cellular, circuit, genetic, epigenetic, pharmacological and/or computational levels. Research on substance use disorders (SUDs) has primarily focused on individual substances although polysubstance use is prevalent. Polysubstance use is the use of more than one addictive substance within a defined interval; the use may be sequential (use of multiple substances on separate occasions), or concurrent/simultaneous. Limiting studies to an individual addictive substance overlooks potential interactions between substances and could influence the translational potential of preclinical research findings. Results from several studies have demonstrated that the use of multiple addictive substances produces pharmacokinetic and behavioral profiles that are distinct from those produced by a single substance. Despite this recognition, little is known about the precise pharmacological mechanisms and interactions that may contribute to such outcomes, or co-morbidities resulting from co-use. There is also a significant lack in our understanding of how the activity of discrete cells, genes, circuits, expression of receptors, ion channels, intrinsic excitability or signaling mechanisms in the reward systems synergize when exposed to distinct classes of drugs simultaneously or sequentially. Even less is known about these mechanisms in brain regions and circuits that underlie negative reinforcement, or how neurotransmitters, neuromodulators or stress interact within these circuits to contribute to the behavioral and pharmacological profiles observed following polysubstance use. In addition, there is a need for behavioral models of polysubstance use that have translational potential. Research Objectives: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) seeks to stimulate innovative research that will transform our understanding of the basic mechanisms that underlie polysubstance use in addiction. These studies will investigate novel neurobiological, pharmacological and/or behavioral mechanisms underlying the biobehavioral outcomes of polysubstance use. Research areas and questions of programmatic interest include, but are not limited to: Identification and/or characterization of molecules, genes, cells (including non-neuronal cells), neural pathways, circuits, receptors, ion channels, intrinsic excitability, pharmacological and signaling mechanisms mediating the effects of polysubstance use. Mechanisms underlying the association of early adolescent polysubstance use with SUD’s in adulthood. Sex differences in the development and trajectory of polysubstance use. What are the roles of organizational and activational effects of sex steroids on discrete brain regions and neural circuits, and how is this altered with exposure to polysubstance use? What are the developmental determinants? Are there developmental windows during which polysubstance use would be facilitated? What are the pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions that can impact toxicity, or the SUD trajectory? How do environmental factors interact with brain circuits to influence the development and trajectory of SUDs involving polysubstance use? How does stress interact with brain circuits to influence the development and trajectory of SUDs involving polysubstance use? Are there neurobehavioral risk phenotypes for progression to polysubstance use? What are the neurocognitive and neurobehavioral changes that occur through experience with different patterns of polysubstance use? Applications Not Responsive to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) The following types of studies are not responsive to this NOFO and will not be reviewed: The major goal of the project is not targeted at delineating the basic mechanisms underlying polysubstance use in addiction. Projects limited exclusively to the phenomenology of polysubstance use, consequences of polysubstance use, or those focused exclusively on the development of tools or animal models. Projects that do not focus on combinations of two or more addictive substances with well-justified translational and public health relevance. Projects that do not include a psychostimulant, opioid, or cannabinoid in the polysubstance combination. Alcohol may be included in the polysubstance combination. Research that does not pertain to at least one of the stages of the substance use trajectory, including, but not limited to initiation, escalation, withdrawal and/or relapse. Other application considerations: Collaborative research teams to foster the sharing of conceptual and/or technical expertise are strongly encouraged. Applicants using animal models are encouraged to use models reflective of chronic and voluntary drug intake. Preliminary data are not required but may be included if available. In the absence of preliminary data, a strong premise should be provided for testing a novel hypothesis based upon the scientific literature as well as evidence of the team’s ability to carry out the proposed studies through published or technical preliminary data.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, is pleased to announce an open competition for a University Capacity Building Program (UCBP). U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations and accredited American higher education institutions may submit proposals to manage a 12-to-18-month professional development program for Georgian university administrators, development and grant officers, as well as higher education decision-makers/government officials responsible for higher education management and administration. The proposed University Capacity Building Project, UCBP, will take a comprehensive approach to assist Georgian universities in building a functioning research administration and development infrastructure. UBCP will help higher education institutions (HEIs) build or expand the foundations of research administration and development at their institution and support their diffusion throughout Georgia. Further, the activities will provide participants with best practices on how to leverage and integrate the contributions from universities in this area to promote innovation and collaboration with various stakeholders, ranging from industry to government entities, to improve the economy of Georgia. The activities will be divided into four phases that will include a mixture of online classes/presentations/webinars, a two-week study tour, follow-up online consultations with a grantee and/or selected US host universities aimed at identifying common area/s of interest for development of a joint research proposal/project and a reciprocal visit of US instructors to Georgia. The program phases include: 1. Needs assessment of the capacities of research administration and development offices of UCBP participant universities in Georgia; 2. Increase Georgian HEIs research capacity and deepen US-Georgian university partnership through online mentoring sessions and practical workshops on effective grant writing/ proposal development, strategic communication with donors, alumni engagement, and fundraising); 3. U.S. Study Tour (14 days including travel) including Washington, DC and non-coastal cities for developing joint research initiatives, alumni engagement strategies and effective donor communication plans; and 4. US experts reciprocal visit (10 days including travel) to Georgia aimed at establishing and enhancing the community of US-Georgian researchers and university administrators. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The UCBP seeks to better leverage and integrate the various missions education, research, and engagement in order to increase the contribution of higher education and public research institutions to innovation and economic growth and develop the commercial and entrepreneurial aspects of Georgian academia by presenting successful American models. University administrators responsible for research, sponsored programs, and external affairs will learn how to enhance the university organizational environment. This can be accomplished by sharing successful and collaborative grant office and faculty department structures and training and supporting university grant teams to improve their grant funding efforts. The proposed study tour will assist university leaders in learning how to optimize best practices and organizational structures to cope with the pressures of external forces like limited funding and increased demand for research in the competitive higher education marketplace. Cooperation with universities in non-coastal cities in the United States is encouraged. The project will: help participants understand the foundational infrastructure necessary for success, including university support offices, effective research development activities, successful grant writing, effective alumni engagement strategies, strategic communication with donors and fundamentals of fundraising. These objectives will be realized through intensive online webinars and practical workshops; a study tour of U.S. universities; and reciprocal visits by experts to Georgia to support the project implementation. Help to institutionalize research development/grant offices in universities to liaise with local private sector entities, through various means, including online platforms. Such linkages would provide platforms for exchange of ideas, imagining of opportunities, and establishing networks; Establish a network of professionals from various universities, government agencies, and professional associations that work together on enhancing the university-private sector-innovation triangle; Help to create a common agenda for regular discussions between academics and entrepreneurs by nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems at universities. Following topics/activities (the list can be further expanded) may be supported: a. Research Administration in a United States University: Organization and Function b. Identifying Requests from Sponsors (Private vs Government; Domestic vs International, US vs Non-US models) c. Responding to requests for proposals d. Effective grant writing e. Budgeting effectively (direct and indirect costs) f. Administrative support i. Pre-award support ii. Proposal development g. Partnering with other universities on elaboration of joint research proposals/projects h. Developing and executing effective alumni engagement strategies i. Effective strategic communication with donors j. Fundraising principals and fundamentals of successful fundraising campaigns Applicants may propose other activities not specifically mentioned in this solicitation if the activities reinforce the impact of the project. A detailed program timeline for the entire grant period that outlines how components unfold and complement each other must be included in the proposal. The names of proposed Georgian participants must be reviewed and approved in advance of U.S. travel by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi. PDS anticipates that the majority of Georgian participants will not have working-level competency in English and high-quality (preferably simultaneous) translation will need to be budgeted in the grant, as should airfare, hotel, international travel insurance, the B1/B2 visa fee, and meals and incidental expenses for study tour participants. For monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) purposes, the PDS Grant Officer Representative (GOR) will serve as a facilitator for the study tour. GOR expenses will be covered by the U.S. Embassy. EXPECTED RESULTS The projects aim is to provide a foundation of knowledge and capacity to grow and sustain a modern research administration and development office. This may be occurring the following ways: 1. Provide partner institutions with the understanding of the importance of developing a successful Research Administrative and Development Office. 2. Provide the knowledge base necessary for participants to set up their Research Administrative and Development Office that can become a highly functioning part of their institution. a. Develop understanding of the functions and importance of research administration and development. b. Teach participants how to respond effectively to funding opportunities US and non-US, as well as EU funding sources. c. Teach participants how to identify appropriate funding opportunities. d. Train participants to become a trainer (TOT model) who can effectively pass this knowledge base on to their peers in grant writing and fundraising. 3. Develop greater research capacity for each partner university, collaborate on producing joint research proposals/projects/programs. 4. Allow Georgian and US universities to establish strong international partnerships that could lead to multi-directional programming and collaborative research. 5. Collaborate with US partner universities on elaboration and adoption of an Alumni Engagement Strategy and mutually acceptable action plan. 6. Introduce best working models of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and establish institutionalized ties between the universities and business associations, thus contributing to Georgian universities more effective collaboration with potential employers in private sector and government. Participants and Audiences: Audiences for the proposed project would include university research administrators and development officers, higher education administrators, researchers and relevant policy makers.

The Public Diplomacy (PD) Section of the U.S. Mission to Burundi is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program or project with funding through the Public Diplomacy Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding.Please carefully follow all instructions below.Purpose of Grants: PD Bujumbura invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the United States and Burundi through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include a U.S. element, priority, or goal, or a connection with U.S. expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s), in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Applicants are strongly encouraged to partner with English Clubs, American Spaces, or U.S. exchange program alumni to conduct activities.Priority Program Areas:The Mission is particularly interested in projects that address one of our following Priority Program Objectives: Skills for Success: o Programs promoting education, a lecture series, or an academic exchangeo Programs promoting learning Englisho Programs promoting job training skills, such as resume writing, financial literacy, income generating skill building, and digital literacy Entrepreneurship: o Programs providing entrepreneurship opportunities for Burundian youtho Programs supporting increased economic opportunities for women and marginalized communities o Programs promoting sustainable economic prosperity Civil Society/Journalism: o Programs that help Burundian journalists produce high-quality reporting on topics of shared U.S.-Burundi interest o Programs that strengthen institutions to promote the rule of law, transparency, and accountability o Programs that promote universal freedoms and democratic principles and practices Environmental sustainability: o Programs that support initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change o Programs that promote minimizing waste and regenerating our resourceso Programs that support protecting the natural environment and sustainable agriculture Participants and Audiences:All proposals should clearly indicate their intended participants and audiences.The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: Activities that do not contain a distinctly U.S. component; Programs relating to partisan political activity; Development projects/programs; Infrastructure/construction programs; Individual scholarships; Personal development; Programs that support specific religious activities; Fund-raising campaigns; Lobbying for specific legislation or programs; Scientific research; Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization Programs that duplicate existing programs; Social travel/visits; Venture capital; Gifts and Prizes; Alcohol; Food and drink not directly related to the program outcome; and For-profit endeavors

This funding opportunity supports early-stage researchers in cancer control and population sciences to explore innovative ideas that can significantly advance cancer research and improve healthcare delivery.

This funding opportunity supports researchers conducting basic science studies to explore how sleep and circadian rhythms are connected to substance use disorders, aiming to improve understanding and treatment of these issues.

This grant provides funding to early career researchers exploring the links between economic inequality and growth, with a focus on producing insights that can inform public policy.

This grant provides funding for researchers to explore the complex interactions between the brain and immune system in the context of HIV and substance use disorders, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets and improve understanding of related neurological issues.

Reissue of RFA-MH-20-128 This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications to develop standards that describe experimental protocols that are being conducted as part of the BRAIN Initiative. It is expected that applications will solicit community input at all stages of the process. It is recommended that the first step of standard development will involve sharing data between different key groups in the experimental community in order to ensure that the developing standard will cover the way that all of those groups are collecting data. The developed standard is expected to be made widely available.

Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of States Embassy Ashgabat announces an open competition to implement a program focused on building the capacity of higher educational institutions in Turkmenistan to carry out short- and long-term bilateral exchanges, offer dual-degree programs, conduct and commercialize research, obtain international accreditation, and other activities directed at supporting ongoing educational reform in Turkmenistan. The ultimate goal of the projects is to enable Turkmenistan to become an active member of the global education community, and a viable partner in international exchanges, with an eventual opening of a U.S. branch university in Turkmenistan. The initial timeline for these activities is one year, with the possibility of extension. Please follow all instructions below. Background: Turkmenistan is a post-Soviet state of roughly 5 million people (official statistic) that gained its independence in 1991. The Ministry of Education oversees all educational institutions from kindergarten to university. Turkmenistan has implemented several educational reforms within the last 10-15 years, mostly introducing new subjects to schools and universities (such as those from the STEM field), increasing the use of technology in teaching (such as smartboards and laptops) and adapting textbooks and materials to make them fit better within Turkmenistans context. However, the centralized structure of the education system has not changed significantly, with universities continuing to offer highly structured five-year specialist degrees that fall somewhere between bachelors and masters degrees on the western scale. Under the current system, students play a limited role in crafting their own educational process and/or degree. When students matriculate to university, they do so by declaring their chosen specialization. In fact, they dont apply to the university as a whole; they apply to a specific department. Once accepted, they have no option to drop classes or switch majors. Students also do not choose which classes to take a specific major has a set list of classes. These rules severely limit students academic opportunities and affect future professional opportunities. In the last few years, the Ministry of Education has stated its intention modernize Turkmenistans education system, which include several stated priorities: a) Launching a dual degree program together with a U.S. university (bachelors or masters); b) Obtaining international accreditation; c) Establishing a branch of a U.S. university in its capital, Ashgabat; d) Gradually moving all universities to the Western, credit-based system. Turkmenistans government is very eager to begin work on these goals and is interested in assistance from U.S. universities in providing expertise and guidance on conducting these large-scale overhauls. The Public Diplomacy Section has worked closely with the Ministry of Education to develop a road map to bring Turkmenistans education system closer to the U.S. model, as well as signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Turkmenistan on cooperation in the education sector. The MOU and the road map lay out concrete steps, including inviting U.S. experts on internationalization and education reform, and are some of the first actions that Embassy has taken, together with the Ministry of Education, to help Turkmenistan reach its stated goals. Through the projects described in this NOFO, the Embassy would like to develop a realistic road map to overhaul the education system, bringing it closer to Western standards and accreditation, and eventual establishment of a U.S. university branch campus in the capital city of Ashgabat. The initial project duration is one year, but will most likely be extended, as the envisioned task is multi-pronged and will likely require more than 12 months. Project Audience(s): Turkmenistans higher education institutions (HEIs), including universities and institutes, as well as the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan Project Goal: Improve access to quality higher education opportunities in Turkmenistan through adoption of best practices by Turkmen higher education institutions Project Objectives: Objective 1: Increase understanding of internationalization requirements for universities, the U.S. education system, and best practices among Ministry of Education officials and higher education representatives through training, workshops, and/or short-term exchanges to the United States. o Topics may include: how to establish dual degree and joint degree programs, accreditation requirements, opening branch campuses, etc. Objective 2: Conduct a general analysis of Turkmenistans education system and create a road map that provides clear recommendations to the Ministry of Education on the practical steps needed to advance educational reforms. Objective 3: Establish a working group of Turkmen Ministry of Education officials and higher education representatives to facilitate collaboration and implementation of recommendations aimed at modernizing and internationalizing the higher education system in Turkmenistan.

The Cleveland Foundation's Black Futures Fund is a strategic initiative designed to strengthen the ecosystem of Black leaders and Black-serving organizations within Greater Cleveland. This grant program aligns directly with the foundation's broader mission to advance community racial equity and dismantle systemic racism. By providing intentional resources for organizational infrastructure and capacity building, the fund aims to foster robust Black-led organizations crucial for community development and social change. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are Black-led, Black-serving nonprofit organizations operating in Cuyahoga, Lake, or Geauga counties. These organizations must have annual budgets ranging from $25,000 to $1 million to be eligible. The overarching impact goal is to empower these organizations to expand their reach and effectiveness, thereby deepening the field of leaders dedicated to racial equity. The fund's priorities and focuses include enhancing the organizational infrastructure and capacity of its grantees. This involves supporting initiatives that build stability, increase operational efficiency, and strengthen leadership within Black-led nonprofits. The Cleveland Foundation's strategic approach emphasizes sustained investment in these organizations as a key driver for long-term systemic change. Expected outcomes include a more resilient and impactful network of Black-led and Black-serving organizations in the Greater Cleveland area. Measurable results would ideally demonstrate improved organizational sustainability, increased service delivery to the community, and a more robust leadership pipeline dedicated to advancing racial equity. The foundation's theory of change posits that by empowering these organizations, they can more effectively address disparities and contribute to a more equitable society.

This initiative provides $10 million to organizations in the U.S. that propose innovative solutions to rebuild public trust in essential institutions like schools, government, media, and healthcare.

This funding initiative aims to create lasting partnerships among educational institutions, industries, and workforce agencies in Tennessee to address local skills gaps and ensure that training programs align with the needs of employers.

This funding opportunity supports researchers exploring the use of microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses, to develop innovative methods for cancer imaging, diagnosis, and treatment.

This funding opportunity supports creative projects that promote engagement, education, and collaboration between the United States and the communities of Mauritius and Seychelles.

This funding opportunity supports researchers in developing and testing innovative devices for diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system through small clinical studies and safety assessments.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to four selected universities and colleges to enhance cybersecurity education and workforce development initiatives, aiming to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity workforce.

This grant provides funding for researchers to explore how diet and lipid metabolism influence tumor growth and progression, encouraging innovative studies that connect nutrition science with cancer biology.

The Mississippi Humanities Council offers grants to support projects that engage communities in meaningful dialogue, attract diverse audiences, and are participatory and engaging, applying humanities to everyday life. Grants support public humanities programs, exhibits, planning of larger projects, and the development of original productions in various media. Regular grants : start at $2,500 to $10,000. Regular grants applications are accepted on May 1st and September 1st Grant renewed every year.

This grant provides funding for small-scale cancer research projects that can be completed in two years, aimed at supporting innovative studies and methodologies in various areas of cancer research.

This funding opportunity supports researchers working to identify and address health and healthcare disparities affecting sexual and gender minority populations, particularly those from racial/ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic backgrounds.