Funding Opportunities
Sorted by Deadline
🗓️ October 22, 2025 💰 $5,000
CHED seeks proposals for small grants of up to $5,000 from multi- and transdisciplinary research teams (representing at least two Penn State departments) working on projects related broadly to the understanding of human evolution and diversity. Successful proposals will describe new or ongoing projects which require a piece of equipment, reagents, and/or funds to pay for undergraduate research assistance or research subject reimbursement to advance a promising project.
Questions about ideas or logistics for potential projects should be directed to Mark Shriver ([email protected]).
🗓️ October 22, 2025 💰 $100,000
The Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS) at Penn State invites proposals for its Mid-Scale Seed Grant Program, designed to catalyze multi- and interdisciplinary research collaborations that involve computational and data sciences across its five Research Hubs (Artificial Intelligence, Computational Sciences, Data Sciences, Digital Twins, and Quantum Sciences) and ICDS-affiliated Centers. Cross-cutting research relevant to two or more hubs is particularly encouraged.
🗓️ November 3, 2025 💰 $750,000
The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize provides early-career scientists the freedom to take risks and pursue their boldest research at a stage when traditional funding is lacking. While the Prize initially focused on the greater New York City area, as of 2026, applicants and winners will now represent institutions from across the United States. Investigators need not be specifically trained in cancer research; however, they should be working in an environment capable of conducting high-quality, high-impact cancer research.
The Office of Foundation Relations is responsible for tracking applications, answering questions and providing feedback on proposals to this organization. If you plan on applying, please contact both your unit's research office and Karen Kemirembe, Ph.D. Associate Director of Foundation Relations ([email protected]).
🗓️ November 13, 2025 💰 $1,000,000
Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative invite applications for two-year initial research projects that merge cutting-edge engineering with deep biological inquiry to illuminate the dynamic molecular landscape of health and disease, unlocking new frontiers in high-precision interventions. This RFA represents a strategic investment in transformative research with the potential to drive breakthroughs that significantly advance our health.
The Office of Foundation Relations is responsible for tracking applications, answering questions and providing feedback on proposals to this organization. If you plan on applying, please contact both your unit's research office and Maria Petrilak, Associate Director of Foundation Relations ([email protected]).
🗓️ November 13, 2025 💰 $600,000
Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative invite applications for two-year initial research projects that harness synthetic biology to revolutionize our understanding and treatment of immune-related disorders. This RFA represents a strategic investment in transformative research that has the potential to yield breakthroughs with far-reaching impact on public health.
The Office of Foundation Relations is responsible for tracking applications, answering questions and providing feedback on proposals to this organization. If you plan on applying, please contact both your unit's research office and Karen Kemirembe, Ph.D. Associate Director of Foundation Relations ([email protected]).
🗓️ November 13, 2025 💰 $2,000,000
The W. M. Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting two different areas: (1) Medical Research and (2) Science & Engineering. Keck seeks distinctive, novel projects that question prevailing paradigms, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field.
🗓️ December 4, 2025 💰 $360,000
The Simons Foundation’s Life Sciences division invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships to support candidates who intend to pursue a career in basic research on fundamental problems in plant biology. We are interested in applicants with training in disciplines that could be brought to bear on plant biology, including but not limited to engineering, computational modeling, theory, chemistry, synthetic biology and physics, as well as applicants already involved in the plant sciences.
Postdocs must notify their postdoc advisor and follow their college/ unit's proposal submission processes. The unit research office is in charge of internal approvals, budgeting and approving the submission. Postdocs should not submit on their own.
🗓️ December 15, 2025 💰 $40,000
Penn State’s Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE) Seed Grant Program is intended to foster basic and applied research on strategic interdisciplinary topics that leverage faculty expertise across the University. The Seed Grant Program strives to:
Develop new interdisciplinary research teams and position them for high-impact research and substantial external funding success
Pursue novel research in IEE’s theme areas, especially high-risk proof of concept projects, seeding new efforts as opposed to continuation of work already at the stage to compete for external funding
Encourage research development and mentorship between junior and senior faculty
🗓️ February 2, 2026 💰 $216,000
The Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research (JCC Fund) was established by the Childs Family in 1937, to honor the memory of Jane Coffin Childs who died of cancer in 1936. Inspired by the founding purpose to support research into the causes and treatment of cancer, the Fund’s mission has broadened to support fundamental scientific research that advances understanding of the causes, treatments, and cures for human disease.
The Office of Foundation Relations tracks proposals and engagement with this organization and should be consulted on proposal narrative elements and to answer other Foundation-related questions. If you plan to apply, contact both your unit's research office and either Karen Kemirembe, Ph.D. Associate Director of Foundation Relations ([email protected]) if you are at University Park or a Commonwealth Campus or Maria Petrilak, Associate Director of Foundation Relations ([email protected]) if you are affiliated with the College of Medicine/ Penn State Health.
Upcoming Events
Sorted by Date
🗓️ October 23, 2025 @ 6-8PM 📍Axemann Brewery
Science Policy Society invites you to the October 2025 Science on Tap: PA Wine and Beer Flavor Chemistry! On Thursday, October 23 at 7:00 pm, join us at Axemann Brewery for an evening of science and sips!
This month, Dr. Rachel B. Allison and Dr. Duncan A. Calvert, both postdocs from Penn State’s Department of Food Science, will share their research on what gives wine its aroma and what makes beer bitter, complete with samples!
As always, you can grab seats and drinks starting at 6:00 pm, and talks will begin at 7:00 pm.
🗓️ October 24, 2025 @ 2:30PM 📍Berg Auditorium, 100 Huck Life Sciences Building
The Plants for People and the Planet series will showcase cutting-edge research and diverse perspectives on how plants can shape a healthier, more sustainable future. This interdisciplinary series is designed to:
Highlight innovative plant science research at Penn State
Foster collaboration among faculty leaders across disciplines
Explore how plants can address local, regional, and global challenges
Participants will gain insights into the future of plant innovation and its role in solving real-world problems. The knowledge shared will directly inform the development of the Plant Innovation Complex, a major initiative of the Huck Institutes for 2025–2030.
Join us as we share the vision for Plant Works and the Plant Innovation Complex with speakers:
Troy Ott, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences
Christina Grozinger, Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
🗓️ October 28, 2025 @ 8:30AM 📍Millennium Science Complex
Join fellow industry leaders, researchers, students, and faculty for a dynamic day of discovery, collaboration, and innovation. This year’s refreshed format is designed to spark new ideas and connections through engaging, hands-on experiences.
What's in store:
Interactive poster sessions happening throughout the day: Meet graduate students and faculty members representing many research groups from across Penn State and dive into emerging materials science breakthroughs.
Guided and self-guided tours of the MSC: See our cutting-edge facilities up close with live demonstrations!
Plenty of networking opportunities: Reconnect with colleagues and meet new potential collaborators from across disciplines, like in past Materials Day events, with a few new twists.
🗓️ November 6, 2025 @ 1-2PM 📍Zoom
Join Karen Kemirembe and Maria Petrilak from University Foundation Relations as they share how they collaborate with researchers to manage foundation funding from start to finish, discussing key challenges and strategies for success.
🗓️ December 5, 2025 @ 8AM-5PM 📍Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
Theme: Striving for Broader Impacts: Knowledge Dissemination and the Public
The Penn State Postdoc Research Symposium is back for its 18th year to showcase postdoctoral research across all disciplines! Hosted by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, this exciting event offers:
Short Talks & Poster Sessions
Work in Progress Welcome! share early ideas, ongoing projects, or recently presented work
Prizes for Outstanding Presentations
Networking with Faculty, Peers & Mentors
Present your research in one of two formats:
Short Talk: 5-minute talk + Q&A
Poster Presentation: 5-minute overview + 2-minute Q&A
All presentations should be tailored to a general interdisciplinary audience.
In-progress work is strongly encouraged!
The deadline to submit an abstract to present is October 25.
