2026 ORAU Innovation Partnerships Grant Program

Overview

ORAU is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that has been working with government agencies, universities, and corporate entities since 1946. 

We provide innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance national priorities in science, education, security, and health. Through specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major colleges and universities, ORAU works with federal, state, local, and commercial customers to advance national priorities and serve the public interest. 

Innovation Partnerships Grants will be considered for events that meet the following criteria:

• Participation by more than one ORAU institution is required. One ORAU member university will submit the proposal and manage the grant funds.
• Potential impact of the event, including the number of institutions or participants will be a big factor in our decision.
• Participation by students is considered a positive factor.
• New events are preferred over ongoing or annual events with established financial models.
• Preference will be given to events in STEM disciplines.
• A representative from ORAU must be invited to the event and will attend, if possible.
• The event must be a minimum of four hours in length.

The submission deadline is rolling, and awards are limited to two per member university per fiscal year. 

The program will focus on research and education topics that align well with ORAU’s expertise and current research priorities. The goal of this grant program is to drive new opportunities for university consortium members and ORAU to formulate meaningful collaborations.

Applications must be focused on one or more of the FY2025 ORAU core focus areas (see below), and an ORAU Collaborator will partner with the university Principal Investigator upon award.

FY2025 Innovation Partnerships Grant Focus Areas and Example Topics:

• Improving Our Behavioral Health - health equity, social determinants of health, stress, loneliness, cultural approaches to healthcare, stigma, substance use disorders, and population health
• The Post-Pandemic World - remote working and learning, worker vulnerability, organizational and workforce resilience, disease surveillance, health communication, healthcare surge, and telehealth
• Implementing Innovative Technologies - data safety and cybersecurity, privacy, the digital economy, the digital divide, cross-border data sharing, and ethics
• Our Changing Planet - sustainability, environmental justice, clean energy, renewable energy, extreme weather events, water and air quality, ecosystems, urbanization and the built environment, and community resilience

Please visit the web site, https://www.orau.org/partnerships/grant-programs/innovation-partnerships.html, for additional details.