Michelman Green, Clean, and Sustainable Technology Research Innovation Program
Courtesy of the generous contributions of the Dr. John S. Michelman Fund for the Advancement of Sustainable Technology, the Office of Research is pleased to share the AY25-26 funding opportunity announcement for the Michelman Green, Clean, and Sustainable Technology Research Innovation Program. Consistent with UC’s investments in research focused on solving problems that matter, this funding opportunity is aligned with UC’s Research2030 strategic plan for research and our Next Lives Here Urban Futures Pathway Biosciences & Bioeconomy Initiative. Dr. John Michelman’s 57-year career at Michelman, Inc. was focused on developing products that improve the performance of many common materials; for example, making paper more water resistant but still biodegradable and recyclable. This particular example used chemistry as the enabler but there are hundreds of different and unexplored pathways to create sustainable technology. The purpose of the Dr. John S. Michelman Fund for the Advancement of Sustainable Technology is to uncover and exploit these pathways. This program supports researchers focused on real-world solutions that enhance environmental quality, promote responsible resource management, and drive growth in high value technology areas such as specialty chemicals, advanced materials, water or energy technologies, and resilient infrastructure. This year, the program has been re-designed to more closely support feasibility-stage work (TRL 2–5).
Two tracks are available:
• Track 1 – focused on researchers seeking seed funding for early-stage applied research with strong potential for commercialization, licensing, or startup formation (SBIR-like track)
• Track 2 – focused on researchers working with an outside partner on solving a key business problem (Collaborative track)
This program will follow a two-stage application/evaluation process. The first stage involves submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI). Up to five finalists will then be invited to submit a full proposal and share a 15-minute presentation/Q&A to discuss their proposed activities. This program is open to UC faculty. Track 1 applicants may include additional researchers from beyond UC; Track 2 applicants must have at least one committed outside research partner. Phase 1 awards will be up to $35,000 for a 6-month project period. Phase 1 grantees who make appropriate progress during the award period will be eligible for additional Phase 2 funding. Budgets will only be required from grantees and will be created in collaboration with the Office of Research.
KEY DATES
FOA Release: September 3, 2025
LOI Due: October 14, 2025 by 5:00 pm EDT
Finalist Notification: Week of October 20, 2025 (anticipated)
Final Proposal Deadline: November 17, 2025 by 5:00 pm EST (finalists only)
Finalist Presentations: Week of December 15, 2025 (anticipated)
Grantees Announced: Week of January 12, 2026 (anticipated)
Phase 1 Grant Project Period: February 2026 – July 2026
Eligibility
• Due to changes in the program composition, prior Michelman awardees (principal investigators - PI’s and co-investigators – co-I’s) are eligible to submit as a PI for this program.
• The applicant (PI) must be a UC faculty member with at least an 80% FTE appointment, with UC being the primary appointment. Tenured/tenure-track, Research- track and other faculty titles are eligible to serve as PI.
• UC faculty can only participate in one application/submission.
• The research team may include additional faculty, postdoctoral scholars, graduate or other students, staff members or other personnel appropriate and necessary for the proposed research project. All collaborators from outside UC must be identified in the application.
• Otherwise eligible faculty with external funding may apply but the proposed activities must not duplicate those already funded, and the applicant should clearly delineate the relationship between on- going, funded work and that being proposed here. Note: Given the Applied Research focus of this program, the applicant(s) may be supported by external funding for basic (fundamental) research relevant to the proposed project. Such funding is typically the domain of NSF or other select federal agencies.
• Otherwise eligible faculty who received past URC or Office of Research funding may apply. Such previously funded applicants must have met all requirements of former awards within budget and timeframe AND the proposed area of research, scholarship or creative activities may not duplicate that previously supported by a former award. Note: such previous awardees will be required to provide data/evidence that the previously funded project was successful and impactful as required by the Office of Research.
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