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University of Florida

Research Funding Opportunities: September 4, 2026

September 4, 2026

Introducing a new tool for research development in the college: Funding Opportunities Database

All active funding opportunities from prior CJC funding digests have been posted to this site and we are continuing to refine and improve it. Please visit it and provide Max Williams your feedback.

Category: All

First Opportunity

  • Sponsor: Florida Climate Institute/UFIC
  • Funding Opportunity Title: 2027 Global Climate Fellow Opportunity 
  • Key words: climate, international
  • Link to RFP:  https://internationalcenter.ufl.edu/ogre/global-fellows/
  • Deadline: 10/16/26
  • Funding available: $5,000 travel stipend award to Fellow  and $1,000 honorarium to mentor
  • Period of performance: in addition to program requirements specified in RFP, complete an international research trip within one year
  • Program Objective: Through the Global Climate Fellows Program, UF faculty can kick-start their international research program. A seed grant of $5,000 provides faculty an opportunity to lay the groundwork for conducting international climate research. Faculty can use these funds to cover expenses to travel to collect field data, to meet with international scholars, to access resources not available at UF, and to support any activity that advances research abroad.
  • NOTE:  Register for an information session and join the interest list. September 17, 1:00-2:00pm in the UF International Center Large Conference Room. October 1, 1:00-2:00pm via zoom (link will be sent after registering) https://go.ufl.edu/gf-info

Second Opportunity

  1. Sponsor: The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
  2. Funding Opportunity Title: AEJMC Senior Scholars Program 2027 Research Grants
  3. Key words: Journalism, Mass communication
  4. Link to RFP:  link
  5. Deadline: Deadline for submitting proposals is Oct. 1, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 
  6. Funding available: Up to 2 awards of a maximum of $5,000 each and $750 for each selected proposal to assist scholars with travel expenses to the AEJMC 2026 conference in New Orleans, LA.
  7. Period of performance: Proposals should be completed by February 2028
  8. Program Background: The AEJMC Senior Scholars Program is designed to support researchers in a wide area of study. These funds may support research assistants, travel to research centers or relevant locations, or pay for supplies and services associated with the research. This program seeks to recognize senior (typically tenured) scholars who aim to engage in extended research projects. For at least one of the two awards, priority will be given to a project that requires travel. 
  9. Program Objective: The proposed topic should center on Journalism and Mass Communication and related disciplines. Topics in related disciplines should also include a central element within mass communication.
  10. NOTE:
  1. Members holding an endowed professorship or an endowed chair are not eligible to apply.
  2. Applicants must be current AEJMC members. Check your membership status before you submit your proposal. Proposals submitted by non-members, or members whose memberships are not current, will be eliminated from the competition.
  3. Only one proposal per person will be considered. (If you submit as part of a team, that is the only proposal you may submit.)
  4. The program is looking for proposals from senior faculty members teaching full-time (preferably tenured)
  5. The proposal should include a demonstration of past research success and the likelihood that this project can be completed by February 2028.
  6. Funds may not be used for university indirect costs or PI stipend.

Third Opportunity

  1. Sponsor: The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
  2. Funding Opportunity Title: AEJMC Emerging Scholars Program 2027 Research Grants
  3. Key words: Journalism, Mass communication
  4. Link to RFP:  link
  5. Deadline: Deadline for submitting proposals is October 1, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 
  6. Funding available: Up to 4 research or teaching proposals of a maximum of $3,500 each and $500 for each selected proposal to assist scholars with travel expenses to the AEJMC 2026 conference in New Orleans, LA.
  7. Period of performance: Proposals must be completed by February 1, 2028
  8. Program Background: The AEJMC Emerging Scholars Program is designed to develop and nurture JMC teachers and researchers by fostering an intellectually stimulating environment. This program’s mission is to identify, encourage and recognize some of AEJMC’s most promising emerging scholars by providing funding for research or teaching projects. If requested, proposals selected for funding will be matched with a recognized scholar to serve as a mentor throughout the project. The mentor would serve as a resource and sounding board for the project. Proposals should outline an individual’s own significant research or teaching project. Proposals may also be submitted by a research team, which would share the award amount if selected.
  9. Program Objective: The proposed topic should center on Journalism and Mass Communication and related disciplines. Topics in related disciplines should also include a central element within mass communication.
  10. NOTE:
  1. Applicants must be current AEJMC members. Check your membership status before you submit your proposal. Proposals submitted by non-members, or members whose memberships are not current, will be eliminated from the competition.
  2. Only one proposal per person will be considered. (If you submit as part of a team, that is the only proposal you may submit.)
  3. The program will not provide support for dissertation research.
  4. Graduate or undergraduate students are not eligible for this program.
  5. The program is looking for proposals from junior faculty members teaching full-time who have not yet achieved tenure, who are likely at the assistant professor level. Media professionals who have recently transitioned to full-time work in the academy are also welcomed to apply.
  6. Proposals for teaching projects must include a research component or be research-based. This research component must be specifically explained in the proposal.
  7. Funds may not be used for equipment, software, PI stipend, university indirect costs or conference travel

Fourth Opportunity

  • Sponsor: Henry Luce Foundation
  • Funding Opportunity Title: Henry Luce Foundation Grantmaking Program 
  • Key words: democracy and civic life, women in STEM
  • Link to RFP:  https://hluce.org/our-grants/
  • Deadline: rolling
  • Funding available: Grants from the Luce Foundation range from $10,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the program and project scope. Please carefully review all application guidelines before seeking funding.
  • Period of performance: not specified
  • Program Background: The Luce Foundation empowers knowledge makers and supports dynamic community leaders through seven grantmaking areas and two leadership programs.
  • Program Objective: The Henry Luce Foundation advances its work through seven grantmaking programs and two leadership programs. All of the projects we support reflect our commitment to education and research, knowledge-based leadership, and the dissemination of impactful ideas to the public.
  • NOTE:  The Foundation does not support healthcare, medical initiatives, disaster relief, or international development projects.

Category: Advertising

First Opportunity

  • Sponsor: American Academy of Advertising
  • Funding Opportunity Title: AAA 2027 Research Fellowship Competition
  • Key words: advertising, research
  • Link to RFP:  AAA Faculty Research Fellowship
  • Deadline: 09/15/2026
  • Funding available: Each award, typically, is in the range of $1,000 to $3,000.
  • Period of performance: Winners must complete the awarded research project in three years to receive the second half of the award.
  • Program Background: The American Academy of Advertising Research Fellowship Competition promotes the continued scholarship of professors and advertising professionals who have completed their education and are doing research in advertising. Doctoral students are not eligible to participate in this competition, including joint research with doctoral students.
  • Program Objectives: Any topic that is appropriate for potential publication in the Journal of Advertising (JA), Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising (JCIRA), or Journal of Interactive Advertising (JIAD) is eligible for the competition.
  • NOTE:
    • Persons submitting proposals must be current members of the American Academy of Advertising. If funded, you must also maintain membership until you complete your project.
    • This award is disbursed as a check to the recipient, so does not require routing through CJC Division of Research.

Category: AI

First Opportunity

  • Sponsor: Sony
  • Funding Opportunity Title: Sony Research Award Program
  • Key words: AI, data science
  • Link to RFP:  https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/research-award-program/?#Overview
  • Deadline: 09/15/26 
  • Funding available: $100,000 for faculty innovation award, $150,000 for focused research award
  • Period of performance: Please submit proposals for a one-year period only. No multi-year proposals will be accepted. An extension of the research may be possible depending upon the results of the research collaboration in year one, but it will require a separate discussion for another award the following year.
  • Program Background: As part of one of the world’s most innovative and recognizable brands, we are committed to support university research and innovation in the U.S., Canada, India, and select European countries, while also fostering partnerships with university faculty and researchers. The Sony Research Award Program provides funding for cutting-edge academic research and helps build a collaborative relationship between faculty and Sony researchers. With awards up to $150,000 USD* per year for each accepted proposal, both the Faculty Innovation Award and Focused Research Award create new opportunities for university faculties and research institutions to engage in pioneering research that could drive new technologies, industries and the future.
  • Program Objectives:
    • Visual/visualization
    • Machine Learning
    • Robotics
    • Psychology-Informed User Modeling and Intervention Design for Content Streaming Experiences
    • Cloud Creation Everywhere
  • NOTE: Budget Guidelines- The Focused Research Award is limited to a maximum of $150K USD* per proposal. The Faculty Innovation Award is limited to a maximum of $100K USD* per proposal. This funding is a sponsored research grant that is to be used to conduct the research described in the proposal, and includes any overhead related to this research and any and all other fees or charges needed to carry out the research. There is a single payment for the award and it is all-inclusive of all associated expenses and fees. Sony will not specify a maximum amount or percentage of the budget that may be allocated to overhead.

Category: STEM

First Opportunity

  • Sponsor: National Science Foundation
  • Funding Opportunity Title: NSF 21-588: EDU Core Research (ECR:Core)
  • Key words: STEM participation, STEM workforce development, STEM Learning environments
  • Link to RFP:  https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/ecrcore-edu-core-research/nsf21-588/solicitation
  • Deadline: 10/01/26
  • Funding available: (1) Level I proposals may request up to $500,000; (2) Level II proposals may request up to $1,500,000; (3) Level III proposals may request up to $2,500,000. 
  • Period of performance: Proposals may request a duration of 3 to 5 years for any level.
  • Program Background: There is a critical need to develop and accumulate knowledge based on fundamental research (whether curiosity-driven basic or use-inspired basic research on STEM learning and learning environments, broadening participation in STEM, and STEM workforce development. Such foundational knowledge in STEM education is essential to strategically guide the broader set of STEM education investments by the Federal government and other funding agencies and foundations, and to inform the activities of policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.
  • Program Objective: The ECR:Core portfolio spans three broad and overlapping Research Areas that map to the organizational structure of EDU investments:
    • Research on STEM Learning and Learning Environments, 
    • Research on Broadening Participation in STEM fields, and 
    • Research on STEM Workforce Development.

Category: Research Funding Opportunities
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