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Grants

Microbiome Grants

Microbiome Ignite Awards

We are currently accepting applications for the Ignite Award. These awards are intended to be small, rapid-access awards to 1) help investigative teams maintain momentum on feasibility projects with high probability of traversing research gaps related to microbiome research, 2) obtain pilot data that will allow for the submission of a subsequent, larger extramural grant application, or 3) provide internal funding for new research projects that have been peer- reviewed and scored to help move grants to a fundable range. Funds will be awarded for up to $5,000 to be spent within a maximum of 3 months of the award. This application process will be rolling, with investigators invited to apply at any time that is convenient to them.

Ignite Award Announcement

2024-2025 Microbiome Research Award winners

We are pleased to announce this year’s Microbiome Research Award recipients: 

Feeding Tampa Bay’s microbiomes: A pilot study

Ryan Pace, Usha Menon, Hariom Yadav. Laura Szalacha, Shalini Jain, Jennifer Kue, David Himmelgreen

A Gut Microbiome Intervention to Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Hariom Yadav, Ram Bishnoi, Shalini Jain, Ambuj Kumar

LpD3.5 Intervention in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (LIBD) Study

Shalini Jain, Scott A. Manski, Hariom Yadav, Ambuj Kumar

Developing Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Systems for Lunar Habitats: Enhancing Membrane Bioreactor Stability and Microbiome Viability

Daniel H. Yeh, Valerie J. Harwood

Role of REG3A in regulation of gut dysbiosis in the context of Alzheimer’s disease

Aurelie Joly-Amado, Kevin Nash, Hariom Yadav, Christian Brechot

Ancient Plague Proteomes: Investigating Dental Calculus of Black Death Victims

Robert H. Tykot, Andrea Vianello, Rays Jiang

The impact of “conditioned” microplastics on animal development and immune maturation.(Ignite Award)

Larry Dishaw

2023-24 USF-TGH Cancer Institute (TGHCI) Microbiome Joint Pilot Research Award

Applying Quantitative Approaches to Study the Lipidome and Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer
Ganesh V. Halade, Timothy Yeatman

Beyond bystanders – uncovering the role of tumor-resident microbiome in women’s cancers
Rays Jiang, Matthew Anderson, Adrian Kohut

External Funding Opportunities

Below is a list of external grant opportunities in the field of microbiomes. They include grants that specifically support microbiome research, as well as those that, while not microbiome-specific, would certainly be applicable.

If you see a microbiomes-related funding opportunity that is not listed here, please send it to graca@usf.edu and it will be added to the list.

  • Enhancing Mechanistic Research on Precision Probiotic Therapies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional)

    Due dates: June 2, 2025; July 2, 2025; February 2, 2026
    Amount: The application budget must not exceed $350,000 in direct costs per year.
    Relevance to microbiomes: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) supports research on the microbiome's role in cancer, particularly the effects of pre/probiotics on cancer prevention, interception, progression, and treatment.

    The Division of Cancer Biology is interested in basic and mechanistic studies on how probiotics affect tumor formation at the molecular level and the interactions between probiotics, host cells, and the resident microbiome. It focuses on how these interactions influence cellular signaling, physiology, and metabolism.

    The Office of Research on Women's Health is interested in supporting projects focused on accelerating precision probiotic interventions for specific women's health conditions across the lifespan, including but not limited to reproductive health, pregnancy, postpartum health, lactation, vaginal microbiome (bacterial vaginosis), menopause-related symptoms, and autoimmune disorders that are more prevalent in women.

    For more information:  https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-210.html

    NIDCR Prospective Observational or Biomarker Validation Study Cooperative Agreement (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

    Due dates: June 5, 2025; July 5, 2025; September 7, 2025; October 5, 2025; November 5, 2025; January 7, 2026; February 5, 2026; March 5, 2026; May 7, 2026
    Relevance to microbiomes: “Applications of cohort studies assessing associations of psychosocial and behavioral factors with -omics changes (including epigenetic modifications to the human genome and/or oral microbiome alterations) and impact of the associations upon oral diseases and conditions; Applications of cohort studies that analyze interaction of the human genome and oral microbiome in response to environmental stimuli and impact of the interaction on oral diseases and conditions.”
    For more information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-239.html

    Academic-Industrial Partnerships for Translation of Technologies for Diagnosis and Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

    Due Dates: June 5, 2025; July 5, 2025; October 5, 2025; November 5, 2025; February 5, 2026; March 5, 2026
    Amount: Application budgets are limited to $499,000 (direct costs) per year.
    Relevance to microbiomes: “For analysis of exposures, including environmental and chemical exposures, and cancer-relevant microbiome and virome; host-microbiome interactions, and tools for gene-environment interaction”.
    For more information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-338.html

    Modular R01s in Cancer Control and Population Sciences (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

    Due Date(s): June 5, 2025, July 5, 2025; October 5, 2025, November 5, 2025, February 5, 2025, March 5, 2025

    Amount: “The direct costs for any year may not exceed $250,000 (excluding consortium F&A costs). Within that limit, applications need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project”.
    Relevance to microbiomes: Evaluation of cancer risk associated with exogenous (e.g., chemical agents, infectious agents, radiation, medication, nutrition, tobacco, and drug use) and endogenous (e.g., metabolome, microbiome, adductome) factors, mixtures and interaction of these factors, and effects during early life and critical periods across the life course.
    For more information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-25-172.html

    Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

    Due Date(s): June 16, 2025, July 16, 2025, September 7, 2025, October 16, 2025, November 16, 2025, January 7, 2025
    Amount: “The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in a single year”.
    For more information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-25-253.html

    NCCIH Natural Product Early Phase Clinical Trial Award (R33 Clinical Trial Required)

    Due Dates: June 23, 2025; July 17, 2025; February 23, 2026; March 17, 2026
    Relevance to microbiomes: Research interests include: Studies that examine the effects of prebiotics/probiotics and other natural products on gut microbiome-brain interactions. Of particular interest are studies of prebiotics/probiotics for depression, anxiety disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or chronic pain. Link: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-270.html

    Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Chronic Inflammation of the Oral Cavity - An Agent for Oral Mucosal Disease

    Due Date: This notice applies to due dates on or after February 5, 2024, and subsequent receipt dates through September 7, 2026.  For more information: NOT-DE-23-007: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Chronic Inflammation of the Oral Cavity - An Agent for Oral Mucosal Disease (nih.gov)

    Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Leveraging Microbial Exposure for Improving Mouse Models of Human Immunity

    Due date: November 16, 2027
    Relevance to microbiomes: Research interests include “Applications of cohort studies assessing associations of psychosocial and behavioral factors with -omics changes (including epigenetic modifications to the human genome and/or oral microbiome alterations) and impact of the associations upon oral diseases and conditions; Applications of cohort studies that analyze interaction of the human genome and oral microbiome in response to environmental stimuli and impact of the interaction on oral diseases and conditions.”
    For more information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-AI-24-078.html

  • Plant Biotic Interactions

    Notice Number: NSF 18-590
    Due Date: Continuous
    Approximate Funding Amount: $18,500,000 depending on availability of funds$10.5M from NSF for new standard or continuing grant awards, and approximately $8M from USDA/NIFA for new awards. Both estimates depend on availability of appropriations. USDA/NIFA will support projects for up to four years in duration. Although there are no formal upper or lower limits to award amounts, they typically range from $50,000 to $300,000 per year, with durations of two to four years (and five years for CAREER awards). Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.
    For more information:   https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505267 

    Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research (Transitions) 

    Notice Number: NSF 21-508
    Due Date: Continuous
    Anticipated Funding Amount: $6,000,000 Pending availability of funds
    For more informationhttps://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21508/nsf21508.htm

    Physiological and Structural Systems (PSS)

    Due Date: Continuous
    For more informationhttps://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/physiological-structural-systems-pss

  • US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Broad Agency Announcement

    Issued by: Department of Defense
    Due Date(s): Feb 28, 2025
    Funding Opportunity Number: W911QY20R0022
    For more information: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=327285

  • Biocodex Microbiota Foundation - Call for Projects USA

    Sponsor: Biocodex Microbiota Foundation
    Due Date: The Deadline to apply is May 23, 2025. One grant will be awarded, and the recipient will be notified by July 31, 2025.
    Amount: $50,000
    Link: https://www.biocodexmicrobiotafoundation.com/national-research-grant/call-projects-usa

    American Gastroenterological Association Grants

    Due Date: Varies
    For list of Grantshttps://gastro.org/research-and-awards/apply-for-awards/  

    American Society of Transplantation Research Grants

    Due Dates: Varies
    For more informationhttps://www.myast.org/research/research-grant-opportunities    

    Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Grants & Fellowships

    Due Dates: Varies
    For more informationhttps://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/grants-fellowships

    Investigator - Initiated Studies + Educational Grants - Bausch & Lomb

    Due Date: Continuous
    For more informationhttps://www.bausch.com/product-innovation/independent-research-cme-grants/

    AbbVie - Investigator-Initiated Studies

    Due Date: Continuous
    For more informationhttps://www.abbvie.com/science/clinical-trials/investigator-initiated-studies.html

  • US Forest Service (USFS) Postdoctoral Fellowship for the Integration of Microbiome, Disease, and Climate Factors Associated with Southern Pine Species

    Due Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
    Location: US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) within the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
    For more information:  https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-USFS-SRS-2024-0153

    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Postgraduate Fellowship in Foodborne Pathogen Research

    Due Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
    Location: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Disease Center (NADC), Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit located in Ames, Iowa. Relocation will be required.
    For more information:  https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-MW-2024-0125

    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)- Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Undergraduate Student Internship in Bioinformatics

    Due Date: Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis, and this posting will remain open until a qualified candidate is identified.
    Location: A research opportunity in Bioinformatics is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Sustainable Agriculture Systems Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland.
    For more information:  https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-2022-0054

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fellowship in Microbiome and Infectious Disease

    Due Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis, and this posting will remain open until filled.
    Location: Laboratory of Dr. Paul Carlson in the Office of Vaccines Research and Review (OVRR) at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, Maryland
    For more informationhttps://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/FDA-CBER-2022-17

    Nutrition and Human Performance Fellowship at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM)

    Location: Natick, Massachusetts
    Due Date: Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.
    For more informationhttps://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USAMRDC-RIEM-2022-0037

    USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Plant Pathology

    Due Date: Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
    Location: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Fort Pierce, Florida.
    For more informationZintellect - Climb Higher

    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Fellowship Research Opportunity in Microbiology, Immunology, and Veterinary Science

    Due Date: Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.
    Location: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Ames, Iowa.
    For more informationhttps://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-MW-2024-0135