The Office of Research and the University-wide Interdisciplinary Research Center program is pleased to announce Dr. Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, as the 2026 Marchase Interdisciplinary Research Lecturer. Dr. McNutt will deliver her lecture entitled “Breaking Down Silos: Transdisciplinary Research for the 21st Century" on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 12:00-1:30p.m. in the Heersink Conference Center Room 102. The Marchase Interdisciplinary Research Award winner will also receive their award and give remarks. A box lunch will be available at 11:45 a.m. in the Heersink Conference Center Lobby for those who reserve. Lunch reservations can be made at 2026 Marchase Lecture & Award Event - Office of Research

Marcia McNutt (B.A. in physics, Colorado College; Ph.D. in Earth sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography) is a geophysicist and the 22nd president of the National Academy of Sciences. From 2013 to 2016, she was editor-in-chief of Science journals. McNutt was director of the U.S. Geological Survey from 2009 to 2013, during which time USGS responded to a number of major disasters, including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. For her work to help contain that spill, McNutt was awarded the U.S. Coast Guard’s Meritorious Service Medal. She is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, Geological Society of America, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the International Association of Geodesy. McNutt is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Foreign Member of the Royal Society, UK, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy. In 1998, McNutt was awarded the AGU’s Macelwane Medal for research accomplishments by a young scientist, and she received the Maurice Ewing Medal in 2007 for her contributions to deep-sea exploration. The Friends of Richard B. “Dick” Marchase, Ph.D., UWIRC Endowed Award was established in 2018 to support an award for and to recognize a UAB investigator in leading or promoting interdisciplinary research across campus in the spirit of camaraderie that Dr. Marchase personifies.

The Marchase lecture and award presentation will be followed by Core and Shared Resources Day, a poster session showcasing Core and Shared Resources available to the UAB community. Core Day will take place on Tuesday, January 27 from 1:30-3:30p.m. in the Heersink Conference Center Lobby. Cores and Shared Resource providers wishing to present a poster should register at Core Day - UAB Institutional Research Core Program.

April 7, 2025

The Congressionally Directed Research Programs (CDMRP) has announced $650 million in research funding for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), supporting high-impact, high-risk projects that address critical gaps in biomedical research. CDMRP is known for its unique approach to funding, prioritizing research that directly benefits military personnel, veterans, and the broader public while fostering innovation across disciplines.

CDMRP has historically funded a broad range of health-related topics, from cancer and neurological disorders to infectious diseases and regenerative medicine. Unlike traditional NIH mechanisms, CDMRP programs are shaped by congressional directives and stakeholder input, often prioritizing bold, transformative research with potential for rapid translation into practice. Funding areas for FY25 are listed below:

• Alzheimer's Research Program - $15.0 million
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program - $40.0 million
• Breast Cancer Research Program - $130.0 million
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program - $12.5 million
• Melanoma Research Program - $40.0 million
• Military Burn Research Program - $10.0 million
• Ovarian Cancer Research Program - $15.0 million
• Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (18 topics) - $130.0 million
• Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (42 topics) - $150.0 million
• Prostate Cancer Research Program - $75 million
• Rare Cancers Research Program - $17.5 million
• Toxic Exposures Research Program - $15.0 million

We encourage researchers across disciplines to explore CDMRP opportunities and consider how their expertise aligns with these funding priorities. The Research Development Office is available to help navigate funding announcements, develop competitive proposals, and facilitate collaborations to strengthen submissions. If you’re interested in pursuing CDMRP funding, reach out to our team for guidance and support.

Funding opportunity announcements, including detailed descriptions of award mechanism intent, evaluation criteria, submission requirements, and deadlines, will be shared soon. Visit the CDMRP webpage to learn more.

March 31, 2025

The Research Development Office (RDO) is growing our capabilities to support the UAB research enterprise with the addition of Jeremy Arnold, Project Manager II, to our team. Jeremy brings wide ranging expertise in nonprofits, grantsmanship, and consulting. In this new role, Jeremy will continue RDO’s efforts to connect researchers to resources and bolster their competitiveness in obtaining funding. Jeremy will also be a key administrator tasked with supporting UAB’s centers and institutes program. Whether you’re interested in support finding funding, crafting a competitive proposal, or facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, Jeremy and the RDO are here to help! Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a consultation or learn more.

Sep. 6, 2023

Research Matters is a weekly newsletter designed to effectively inform the UAB research community of important updates that affect research administration. The Office of Research Development regularly publishes news and updates through Research Matters. Subscribe so you do not miss our news and announcements!