[Ored-listserv] Research Newsletter - November 25, 2025

Tue Nov 25 10:05:40 PST 2025

 [cid:5a1ae43e-7c38-49e8-90ae-a2c1b4430ab7]

Dear Colleagues,

In this issue, you will find interview details for the four finalists for the position of Executive Director of ORED’s Sponsored Projects Office and Contracts and Grants Administration. The interviews will take place on campus in early December. There is an excellent opportunity for you to engage directly with the candidates for this important strategic hire.

You will also find a selection of current funding opportunities, information about the next ORED Research Lunch, and a related New Alternative Methodologies survey, as well as guidance on how UC Merced’s winter curtailment period will affect ORED business operations. Please pay particular attention to the adjusted proposal routing deadlines.

I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and relaxing Thanksgiving break.

Gillian

Executive Director of Sponsored Projects & Contracts & Grants - Finalist Interviews
You are invited to participate in on-campus interviews with the finalists for ORED’s Executive Director of Sponsored Projects Office & Contracts & Grants Administration. Details are below:
UC Merced Faculty

  *   Candidate 1: 1:30 pm – 2:20 pm| 12/02/25| Admin 354

     *   Zoom: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/j/88510444434

  *   Candidate 2: 1:30 pm – 2:20 pm | 12/10/25| GRNT 115

     *   Zoom: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/j/88261813764

  *   Candidate 3: 1:30 pm – 2:20 pm | 12/08/25| Admin 255

     *   Zoom: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/j/82817789368

  *   Candidate 4: 1:30 pm – 2:20 pm | 12/09/25| Admin 362

     *   Zoom: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/j/82054798924

All Administrative Stakeholders

  *   Candidate 1: 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm |12/02/25| Admin 354

     *   Zoom: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/j/81300282850

  *   Candidate 2: 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm | 12/10/25| Admin 365

     *   Zoom: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/j/87327461713

  *   Candidate 3: 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm | 12/08/25| Admin 264

     *   Zoom: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/j/89032868920

  *   Candidate 4: 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm | 12/09/25| Admin 350

     *   Zoom: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/j/85841798886

To review the Job Description, click here<https://ucmerced.box.com/s/7szbhhl4g7dd19oa9yka0difhq8a4rba>. For Cover Letter and Resume for each candidate, click here: Candidate 1<https://ucmerced.box.com/s/dkhqgjlsvy1j57p3658wungklap0fs2z>, Candidate 2<https://ucmerced.box.com/s/0yqsngx6mnfzz9oaizz6i50qd9mfdxkd>, Candidate 3<https://ucmerced.box.com/s/oxthf2e2xwq309i6bhbbqa63un6msijs>, Candidate 4<https://ucmerced.box.com/s/z89x66cxblg3nkutkm8564n4cexqzyoo>.

Funding Opportunities
USDA – National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA): Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program <https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/agriculture-food-research-initiative/afri-foundational-applied-science-program> Extended Deadline<https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/agriculture-food-research-initiative/afri-foundational-applied-science-program>s
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, USDA NIFA Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) has extended deadlines for several programs.  The original RFA has been modified from the original announcement to reflect changes to deadlines and other relevant changes. $300,000,000 USD will be allocated to supporting AFRI research programs. The FY26 seeks to support research in 6 priority areas: (1) Plant Health and Production and Plant Products, (2) Animal Health and Production and Animal Products, (3) Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health, (4) Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment, (5) Agriculture Systems and Technology, (6) and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities.
Application Deadline: Deadlines have been extended to December
For more information and to apply, visit: National Institute of Food and Agriculture<https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/agriculture-food-research-initiative/afri-foundational-applied-science-program>

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) - Packaging Innovation Program
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is accepting applications for its Packaging Innovation Program to advance packaging innovations for U.S. producers and specialty crop exporters. The program seeks research applications that focus on novel sustainable packaging or packaging alternatives that can replace single-use packaging while offering at least some of the same functions economically. There are 3 distinct tracks: (1) Applied R&D track: seeks proposals aimed at bringing laboratory stage solutions for specialty crop exports but shows high promise to be implemented in pilot-scale manufacturing with minimal further effort; (2) Technology Accelerator track: seeks proposals aimed at scaling innovations in sustainable packaging to meet requirements of foreign markets, and (3) Scale-up and Pilot track: seeks proposals to run pilot-scale manufacturing projects aimed at commercializing a packaging solution for specialty crop exports. Award amount is between $50,000 USD to $250,000 USD for 12 months.
Application Deadline: December 17, 2025, @ 5 PM ET
For more information and to apply, visit: Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR)<https://foundationfar.org/grants-funding/opportunities/packaging-innovation-program/>

PCORI Funding Announcement
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) invites applications for projects that generate evidence to help patients, clinicians, and other stakeholders make informed healthcare decisions. Research may include observational studies, pragmatic clinical trials, and other comparative effectiveness approaches focused on real-world health outcomes. Projects should address patient-centered questions and aim to improve decision-making and care.
Application Deadline: January 6, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit: PCORI Funding<https://www.pcori.org/funding-opportunities/announcement/improving-health-decision-making-observational-comparative-clinical-effectiveness-research>

NIH – MIRA for Early Stage Investigators (R35)
The NIH Maximizing Investigators Research Award (MIRA) supports early-stage investigators pursuing research aligned with the NIGMS mission<https://www.nigms.nih.gov/about/overview/Pages/Overview>, including basic science, select translational/clinical areas, and technology or computational tool development. The award offers flexibility to pursue new research directions within NIGMS priorities. Additional details, including slides and FAQs, are available on the MIRA program page. Note: Investigators with prior disqualifying awards (e.g., R01, RM1, SC1, DP1, DP2) are not eligible.
Application Deadline: February 3, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit: NIH Maximizing Investigators Research Award<https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-23-145.html>

Upcoming Events
ORED Research Lunch Series: New Alternative Methodologies (NAMs)
The next ORED Research Lunch will be held on Tuesday, December 16, at noon, and will highlight the NIH initiative<https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-prioritize-human-based-research-technologies> to expand human-based research technologies and reduce reliance on animal studies. Professor and CoR Chair Ramen Saha (Molecular & Cell Biology), and Danielle Benziger (Executive Director of Research Compliance & Integrity), will share an initial overview of NAM survey findings and facilitate a discussion about the potential implications of this initiative for UC Merced’s research community.
Lunch will be provided, space is limited to 10 attendees, and advance registration is required. Register HERE<https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=o-nf9HjKmEm3p-bQaS6s5g28RQ4BlCRPj91Z5IQALQ9URThUMDVRRU8yNjlLVUQ3RTRRN0JJRzBJQi4u>.

New Alternative Methodologies (NAMs) Survey
The Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED) and the Senate Committee on Research (CoR) invite you to participate in a brief 15-minute survey on New Alternative Methodologies (NAMs) that is open to all principal investigators. The survey aims to: assess investigators’ needs for developing and using NAMs, inventory current NAM-related capabilities across campus, and identify opportunities for collaboration, training, and infrastructure development. Your input will help shape UC Merced’s strategy for supporting NAM-focused research and future NIH initiatives.

The survey will be open until December 3rd. Take the SURVEY<https://ucmerced.pdx1.qualtrics.com/jfe/preview/previewId/d3efcfb1-3a22-4cf2-8880-cd3744b17b46/SV_40fVicG1NR1iAL4?Q_CHL=preview&Q_SurveyVersionID=current>.
Please contact CoR Chair Ramen Saha<mailto:rsaha3 at ucmerced.edu%20?subject=NAM%20Survey> or AVC for Research Leslie Teixeira-Porto<mailto:lteixeira at ucmerced.edu%20?subject=NAM%20Survey> with any questions.

Winter Curtailment Schedule
UC Merced will close for winter break from Wednesday, December 24, through Thursday, January 1, 2026, and will reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026.

  *   Sponsored Projects Office & Contracts and Grants Administration<https://ucmerced.app.box.com/s/dwwtb4x15nidomr4p7kmflowridzbt2o>

  *   Research Compliance and Integrity<https://rci.ucmerced.edu/news/2025/2025-26-curtailment-schedule>

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