Updates, resources, and opportunities supporting research at Brown.
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NOVEMBER 2025
In the Spotlight
Q&A: Brown physicist on the Higgs boson and whether it might change the fate of the universe
In late October, Brown hosted the annual Higgs Conference, where physicists worldwide explored new questions about the Higgs boson. Organized by physics professors Gaetano Barone and Loukas Gouskos, the event showcased Brown’s ongoing leadership in particle physics.
MESSAGE FROM THE VPR
Greetings,
It’s been an exciting fall at Brown—full of innovation, collaboration, and discovery. From Rhode Island Startup Week and BTI’s Pitch Competition and Innovation at Brown Showcase to the first Brown RNA Center Symposium, the season has been buzzing with new ideas and breakthroughs in entrepreneurship, health, and biotech.
Next up: the launch of ARIA, Brown’s new AI Research Institute on Interaction for AI Assistants. Backed by a $20 million NSF grant, ARIA puts Brown at the forefront of developing AI that interacts with people in trustworthy and context-aware ways. Details about next week’s launch are below—we hope to see you there!
Cheers,
Greg Hirth
Vice President for Research
ARIA Launch Keynote Event - Nov. 21
Join us for the launch of Brown’s new AI Research Institute on Interaction for AI Assistants (ARIA), supported by a $20M NSF grant and led by Ellie Pavlick and Suresh Venkatasubramanian. The keynote event features Yale’s Julian Jara-Ettinger presenting on “Computational Social Cognition,” Friday, Nov. 21, 8:30-10:30, followed by a flash talks discussion session from 10:30–12:00. Register here.
Final reminder: DOR’s expanded 2026 Seed Fund Program - Track 1 due Monday, Nov. 17
For 2026, the Division of Research offers expanded internal funding opportunities designed to foster new ideas, build research capacity, and support discoveries across campus. The new Seeds program includes three tracks; Track 1, Research Resilience Award (up to $75K for 12 months), closes Monday, Nov. 17. (Tracks 2 & 3 are closed). See program details.
BROWN TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS
Toolbox Tuesday Series: Understanding Your Audience and Telling Your Story - Nov. 18 6:30-8pm
Learn to pitch your idea in a way that connects. Identify your audience using data and real-world insights. Practice turning your research into a story that resonates. This workshop is ideal for students, builders, and aspiring founders. Learn more.
OneValley Startup Challenge: AI Unleashed
AI Unleashed: The Industry Disruptors Challenge is a global competition to spotlight startups transforming their industries through AI. Gain exposure, investor connections, and a chance to win a $20,000 cash prize. Apply by Dec. 31, 2025.
InsiteHub InsiteXccelerator: Advancing Biomedical Innovation in the Northeast
Brown biomedical faculty and students can apply for the NIH-funded 12-week InsiteXccelerator program offering mentorship, funding, and commercialization training. Learn more and apply, or email questions to Karen Bulock.
NSF I-Corps Spark Online
The next virtual NSF I-Corps Spark cohort launches Jan. 28. Expand your professional network while gaining insight into your technology’s value, market potential, and commercialization challenges. Learn more and apply.
Brown hosts a special NSF I-Corps Blue-focused Spark cohort in February
This in-person program, hosted in partnership with URI, includes a customer discovery session at the 2026 Blue Innovation Symposium, New England’s leading ocean technology meeting. Details to come—contact Sarah Biester with questions.
RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Huron Continuation
Learn how to create a Continuation, used to request funding for an active award for the upcoming budget year.
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
Meet the Innovation@Brown award winners
In video interviews, the third annual Innovation@Brown Showcase award winners — Acre Therapeutics (Innovation of the Year), Adept Materials (Startup of the Year), and Arto Nurmikko (Inventor of the Year) reflect on the event and their honors.
Insights from Innovation@Brown Showcase speaker Mark Blyth
Recorded live at the Innovation@Brown Showcase in September, political economist Mark Blyth joins Rapid Response podcast host Bob Safian to discuss the U.S. economy, the ripple effects of AI, and why failure is key to progress.
RESEARCH INTEGRITY
Reminder: BEARCORE registration open
BEARCORE will be held in person on Jan. 14-15 and May 13-14, 2026. Register in Workday Learning. BEARCORE meets NSF and NIH RCR Training requirements. Email Torrey Truszkowski with questions.
Reminder: Research Security Training available
Brown’s Research Security Training, Research Security Matters, an online, self-paced course is available for members of Brown's research community in Workday Learning. This course meets the NSF and DOE requirements.
RESEARCH STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT
Research webinar: White House Gold Standards for Science
Join us for an overview of the Gold Standards with consultants McAllister & Quinn, hosted by Research Strategy and Development (in DOR). We'll cover the history, agency/faculty responses, and current implementation updates. Dec. 2, 12-1pm. Register here.
Internal funding opportunity—Core Research Facility (CRF) Infrastructure Program
The Division of Research is pleased to announce the 2026 Brown University Core Research Facility (CRF) Infrastructure Program to support the development of core research facilities and the maintenance of their equipment. Applications will be accepted via Infoready through Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, 9am EST. Email Research_Opps@brown.edu with questions or Core contact updates.
SPONSORED PROJECTS
US federal government shutdown
Although the government shutdown has ended, we are still awaiting guidance from federal sponsors on any ripple effects, such as revised proposal timelines. We’re pleased to report that throughout the shutdown, the University continued to meet all research obligations, including proposal submissions and timely progress and final reports. See NSF Shutdown Guidance and NIH Shutdown Guidance.
NIH Other Support Disclosure Requirements 2025
The NIH Guide Notice (NOT-OD-25-133) directs Brown to implement training and maintain a written, enforced policy on the disclosure of other support. Brown's proposal submission policy has been updated to reflect this requirement, and related training materials are available.
ONR reminds PIs to submit technical reports in PIEE/DSM for awards after July 2024
The ONR now requires copies of RPPRs (Technical/Performance Reports) to be uploaded to the PIEE/Delivery Schedule Manager (DSM) system. PIs needing assistance should contact their Post Award Accountant.
REMINDER: 2025 Winter Break proposal submission deadlines
Please see the Winter Break Proposal Submission Deadlines page for updated OSP and BMRA proposal review timelines.
Professional Research Service Agreement is now live in BCM
The new Professional Research Services Agreement is now available and should be used for customized services that draw on specialized intellectual or creative expertise to contribute to the scientific or technical goals of a research project.
FEDERAL & AGENCY UPDATES
eRA Commons – access issues for new accounts and passwords resets have been resolved
During the government shutdown, many eRA Commons users did not receive system-generated emails for proposal submissions, account access, or RPPR routing. The issue now appears resolved, and emails are being sent again. However, automatic emails for actions taken during the shutdown will not be issued retroactively.
eRA Commons—proposal submission
During the government shutdown, eRA Commons was not consistently sending out confirmation of receipt of new applications or notifications that application errors had been detected. If you have questions about a recently submitted proposal, please contact your Pre-Award Specialist.
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