Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards
Limited submission
The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards by ORAU provide seed funding for innovative early-career faculty research in STEM, policy, education, and emerging fields at member institutions.
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Funder: Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
Due Dates: January 6, 2027
Funding Amounts: $5,000 from ORAU plus at least $5,000 institutional match; one-year duration (July 1–June 30)
Summary: Supports early-career, tenure-track faculty at ORAU member institutions with seed funding for research in STEM, policy, education, or emerging fields.
Key Information: Only two nominations per institution; no indirect costs allowed.
Description
The program provides competitive seed grants to junior faculty at ORAU member institutions to foster early career research and professional development. Awards are intended to support innovative projects in seven eligible disciplines, with the goal of catalyzing new research directions and enabling recipients to secure further external funding. Eligible disciplines include engineering, life sciences, mathematics/computer science, physical sciences, policy/management/education, critical minerals for SMR deployment, and responsible AI in STEM education policy.
