MONTHLY NEWSLETTER – MAY 2026
Dear Colleagues,
As we move into the summer, I thank you — our extraordinary research and innovation community. Your creativity, dedication, and drive continue to move USC’s mission forward in meaningful ways, and I am deeply grateful for all that you do.
While the rhythm of campus may shift during this time, the energy behind our work does not. Across the university, we continue to push boundaries, pursue new ideas, and translate discovery into impact. This month’s update highlights a range of activity across OORI, from federal funding developments and opportunities for innovators and startup teams to important operational updates and continued progress in strengthening our research infrastructure, safety, and services.
Thank you for your partnership and for the momentum we are building together. I am excited about what lies ahead and the impact we will continue to create in the months to come.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION STRATEGY (RIS):
FEDERAL FUNDING UPDATES
NSF X-Labs Initiative: NSF announced the NSF X-Labs initiative, a planned $1.5 billion investment over the next decade to support new models of interdisciplinary research partnerships addressing major scientific and societal challenges. The initiative reflects NSF’s continued emphasis on team science, cross-sector collaboration, and research models that extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. USC faculty interested in large-scale, convergent research should monitor this initiative as details continue to emerge.
NSF Relaunches SBIR/STTR Programs: NSF has relaunched it’s SBIR/STTR programs with $250 million for startups and small businesses developing deep technologies, including a new $40 million pilot emphasis on next-generation scientific instrumentation and experimental platforms.
USC faculty working with startup partners or translational technologies should monitor NSF SBIR/STTR opportunities and consider submitting a project pitch.
DARPA Multi X Office Opportunity: DARPA’s Multi X Office, formerly the Microsystems Technology Office, has released an office-wide BAA seeking revolutionary research ideas in areas including advanced materials, components, domestic technology development tools and processes, sensing, computing, communications, and other mission-relevant technologies. The opportunity may be relevant to USC faculty and teams working in microelectronics, photonics, quantum systems, materials, sensing, autonomy, advanced manufacturing, and related areas.
ARPA-H Open Funding Opportunities: ARPA-H continues to post open funding opportunities, including 2026 SBIR/STTR topics and other program opportunities focused on transformative health research. USC investigators pursuing high-risk, high-reward biomedical or health innovation concepts should monitor ARPA-H opportunities closely and coordinate early where institutional approvals, teaming, or translational/commercialization planning may be needed.
USC AND TECHSTARS PARTNERSHIP
USC & Techstars Accelerator Demo Day – Limited Spots Remain: Demo Day for the USC & Techstars Accelerator is rapidly approaching, and attendance is limited! Join us on June 9 as the 2026 cohort of USC-affiliated founders pitches emerging ventures advanced through intensive mentorship, investor engagement, and market validation. This flagship event will bring together investors, industry leaders, founders, and members of the USC innovation ecosystem to celebrate the momentum of USC startups and the USC and Techstars Partnership. Register now to secure your spot.
USC & Techstars University Catalyst – Apply by July 8: Applications are open for the USC and Techstars University Catalyst pre-accelerator, a primarily virtual 10-week program designed to help early-stage USC-affiliated startups gain traction, refine their strategy, strengthen their pitch, and connect with mentors from the USC and Techstars network. The program is ideal for Trojan founders in the Greater Los Angeles area who have raised less than $1M and are ready to move their venture forward. Interested founders are encouraged to apply soon, ahead of the July 8 deadline!
Science Communications Spotlight
USC & Techstars Startup Weekend: OORI recently highlighted the 2026 USC and Techstars Startup Weekend, where USC-affiliated founders moved early ideas from concept to pitch through team formation, mentor feedback, and hands-on venture development. The event is a key entry point into the USC and Techstars partnership and OORI’s broader work to support innovation across the university.
Stay updated on the Office of Research & Innovation’s latest news stories by visiting the USC Innovation Ecosystem news page.
DEPARTMENT OF CONTRACTS & GRANTS (DCG):
Award Setup & Fiscal Year-End Processing: DCG is actively reviewing all pending awards to support timely establishments ahead of fiscal year close. In some cases, DCG may reach out regarding items that are delaying activation, such as pending regulatory approvals, required training or compliance certifications, incomplete documentation, or other outstanding institutional requirements.
To help minimize delays, we encourage Principal Investigators and Research Administrators to promptly coordinate any outstanding items if contacted by DCG. Timely response is especially important as fiscal year-end processing volumes increase.
To support these efforts, DCG has developed a brief MicroLearning video highlighting common causes of delays and practical steps departments can take to help expedite award activation.
STEVENS CENTER FOR INNOVATION: We are thrilled to announce the 2026 Stevens Translation Catalyst (STC) Award recipients! The STC program is part of USC Stevens Center’s broader mission to advance the commercialization of university innovations through strategic intellectual property development, industry engagement, startup formation, and translational partnerships.
This year’s awardees are Wen Chen, Maral Mousavi, Niema Pahlevan, Jesse Yen, Cristina
Zavaleta, and Qifa Zhou from the Viterbi School of Engineering; Justin Ichida, Heinz-Josef Lenz, and Hussein Yassine from the Keck School of Medicine; and Yong Zhang from the Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Together, the 2026 cohort spans medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, neurodegenerative disease, oncology, advanced imaging, AI-enabled healthcare, additive manufacturing, and translational biomedical engineering. What unites them is a shared sense of urgency: real people are waiting for these solutions. Please read the full story here, and congrats to all our STC recipients!
HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTIONS AND RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY: Wait times in
the social-behavioral IRB queue have improved in recent weeks and are currently under six weeks. While this remains longer than our target, steps are actively underway to address both immediate and longer-term needs. In the short term, IRB staff have been reallocated to support the queue, with an emphasis on expedited pre-review to return applications for revisions more quickly. Longer-term efforts include expanded cross-training, enhanced tools to improve submission completeness, additional training for researchers and faculty advisors, and exploration of automation and AI-supported review processes.
INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE & USE COMMITTEE (IACUC):
Spring Inspections: Thank you to our research community for your partnership during the
Spring Semi-Annual Inspections. The Spring 2026 facility and laboratory inspections are now complete, and we appreciate your ongoing collaboration in supporting compliant, high-quality animal research programs. Additional information on the Fall 2026 inspection cycle will be shared later this summer.
IACUC Policy — New and Updates: A new IACUC policy has been introduced to provide clear guidance on the transport of research animals between campus locations, supporting consistency and compliance across programs. In addition, several policies have been updated to reflect current standards and enhance clarity. These updates include expanded guidance across research practices, equipment maintenance, and housing considerations to better support the research community. For more information, please visit the IACUC website.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY (EH&S):
California Medical Waste Management Inspection Preparedness
As part of the upcoming California Department of Public Health (CDPH) biomedical waste management inspection, EH&S is currently conducting pre-inspections across USC laboratory spaces to help ensure compliance with the California Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA). Additionally, Hazmat personnel will be visiting labs to review biomedical waste practices, signage, containers, and general inspection readiness. Common issues identified in prior inspections include overfilled or improperly close biohazard containers, missing labels or lids, improper sharps disposal, and incorrect waste segregation. USC laboratory personnel are encouraged to review the Biohazardous Waste Checklist and Hazardous Waste Disposal Guide Sheet prior to these visits. Thank you for your cooperation and continued commitment to laboratory safety and compliance.