The fall 2026 funding cycle opens on August 15 at 12:00pm EDT and will close on September 1.

Please note, this cycle is limited to Stage 2 and Stage 3 proposals from teams with a previous Stage 1 or Stage 2 award. Selected projects will have a period of performance of no more than seven months, with all work completed between November 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027. No Stage 1 awards will be made this cycle; the next Stage 1 opportunity is planned for January 2027, subject to funding availability. We encourage eligible teams to begin preparing now.

Please see the Overview / Process document below for additional information on program structure, eligibility, timelines, and evaluation criteria for this funding cycle.