NSF Future Manufacturing Research Grant

International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The IRES program supports international research and research-related activities for U.S. science and engineering students, contributing to the development of a diverse, globally engaged workforce. It focuses on active research participation by undergraduate and/or graduate students in high-quality international research, education, and professional development experiences. Students do not apply directly to NSF but to NSF-funded investigators who receive IRES awards.

Smart Health and Biomedical Research in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Data Science (SCH) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF) & National Institutes of Health (NIH). This interagency program supports high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary projects that leverage AI, machine learning, and advanced data science to address pressing questions in biomedical and public health research. It seeks to advance fundamental scientific and engineering contributions across disciplines to solve key health problems.

The FY2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program supports basic research in science and engineering at U.S. institutions of higher education, with emphasis on multidisciplinary research where more than one traditional discipline interacts. The Army, Navy, and Air Force basic research offices are seeking applications across 22 topic areas including artificial intelligence and autonomy, information sensing and processing, and systems manipulation. MURI grants typically provide $1.25 million to $1.5 million per year for three years with option to extend two additional years. Approximately $170 million in total funding is available annually across all topics. The program is administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Army Research Office (ARO), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).

The NSF Convergence Accelerator is a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that funds multidisciplinary teams working to solve national-scale societal challenges through convergence research and innovation. Launched in 2019 under NSF's Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, the program operates in two phases: Phase 1 awards are up to $750,000, with successful teams advancing to larger Phase 2 awards. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education and nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Track I and Track K focus on specific high-priority topics announced each funding cycle. The next deadline is June 15, 2026. Proposals must comply with updated NSF research security policies effective July 2025.

The USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is a competitive program that drives public and private sector innovation in natural resource conservation through projects that develop new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies for application on private lands. The program has three components: CIG Classic for national-scale innovation projects, CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials for field-testing new conservation approaches with farmers, and state-level CIG for localized innovation. CIG is increasingly funding AI and precision agriculture technologies, including machine learning-based irrigation scheduling, AI-enhanced soil health monitoring, precision application systems, drone and satellite-based crop monitoring using computer vision, and predictive analytics for conservation planning. Recent awards have included a $2.4 million University of Hawaii project for an AI-enhanced weather-based irrigation scheduling tool that uses machine learning to optimize water use. The program specifically targets innovative technologies not yet commonly adopted, making cutting-edge AI agricultural tools a strong fit. Projects must demonstrate on-the-ground conservation benefits addressing water quality, air quality, soil health, or wildlife habitat while improving agricultural operations. The 2026 cycle deadline has not yet been announced but typically falls in spring-summer, with announcements on Grants.gov. All projects require at least 1:1 non-federal matching funds, and NRCS evaluates proposals based on innovation, conservation impact, scalability, and partnership quality.