Administrative Services

Things You Need to Know From the Office of Research & Scholarship — Sept. 11, 2026

Posted on

Thank you to the School of Education researchers and scholars who joined the Sept. 9, 2026 federal funding discussion hosted by the Office of Federal Relations and Lewis-Burke Associates. The session provided an overview of the evolving federal funding landscape and highlighted opportunities for faculty to help shape UW–Madison’s federal appropriations priorities.

Key takeaways included:

  • Institute of Education Sciences (IES): New funding opportunities are expected in December, with an emphasis on translational research, the Seedlings to Scale program, and education interventions.
  • National Science Foundation (NSF): NSF has consolidated several core solicitations to simplify the proposal process and provide greater flexibility around deadlines, budgets, and project timelines. The agency is also signaling interest in larger-scale projects and encourages investigators to request up to five years of funding, when allowed.
  • Federal appropriations and congressional requests: Deans will receive Appropriation Request Forms in October to distribute within schools. Faculty may have opportunities in January to provide additional information and help develop funding strategies. Requests may include proposals for new centers, protecting existing funding streams and other priorities. Earmarks are generally one-year, “shovel-ready” projects of approximately $5M. Collaborative projects involving other Universities of Wisconsin campuses may strengthen support across the state’s congressional delegation. The Office of Federal Relations will submit formal appropriations requests to Wisconsin’s congressional delegation in March and April.

News and Announcements

The FY2027 NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program (LRP) application cycle opened on Sept. 1, 2026, and closes on Nov. 19, 2026. Researchers interested in applying are encouraged to join the LRP Technical Assistance Webinar on Oct. 6, 2026, to learn more about the application process.

The Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) has announced its fall workshop series — Beyond Enrollment: Practical Methods for Improving Study Retention. Session 1 of the series kicks off on Sept. 28, 2026, with two presentations titled “From Recruitment to Retention: Engaging Traumatic Injury Populations” and “Optimizing Study Retention by Easing Participant Burden.” Learn more about the series and discover additional sessions on the ICTR website.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will discontinue the Public Access Compliance Monitor database at the end of September 2026. This database has been the primary source of data for the monthly NIH Compliance Report distributed to campus researchers and scholars. Our campus partners are currently exploring alternative ways to provide this information and to support continued compliance with NIH public access requirements. If you have questions about this change or need assistance navigating NIH compliance, please contact ORS.

Hosted by the UW Carbone Cancer Center and UW Biotechnology Center, the BadgerConnect Research Services Fair on Oct. 1, 2026, brings together shared resources and industry partners to showcase technologies and research support available to UW–Madison researchers and scholars. Learn about innovative technologies and discuss your project with shared resources staff to see how they can support and enhance your research.

To celebrate an inspirational decade of communicating the latest science of child learning and development, BOLD Science is launching a new, fully remote Fellowship. Up to three researchers will have the chance to develop their science communication skills while producing content that reaches real audiences. Learn more and apply on their website by Oct. 31, 2026.

Events and Learning Opportunities

Posted in ORS