MONTHLY NEWSLETTER – DECEMBER 2025
Dear Colleagues,
In the face of many changes in the research landscape, over the past months, I am delighted to report that you — our community — have adapted rapidly and maintained momentum. Our OORI team is deeply grateful for the creativity, dedication, and collaboration that you have shown.
Your efforts have sustained, and in many ways enhanced, research and innovation at USC.
This month’s update includes:
- Key federal funding and policy developments to be aware of;
- Highlights on upcoming university-wide research and innovation events;
- Updates on internal funding opportunities and timelines;
- Planning and operational considerations for proposal activity and the winter recess;
- Recent milestones that reflect the breadth and impact of USC innovation.
The OORI team looks forward to supporting you again in the coming year.
Happy Holidays!
Ishwar K. Puri
Senior Vice President, Research & Innovation and Professor
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION STRATEGY (RIS):
FEDERAL FUNDING UPDATES
To support strong collaboration between Federal research agencies, NIH is adopting the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support as per the OSTP memorandum on Policy Regarding Use of Common Disclosure Forms. This Guide Notice provides details for the Common Forms, NIH Biographical Sketch Supplement, and instructions required for use for application due dates and Research Performance Progress Report submissions on or after January 25, 2026.
UPCOMING EVENTS
OORI invites you to the USC Venture & Innovation Summit, taking place on February 12, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at USC Ginsburg Hall. This high-energy, in-person event will bring together leaders from USC, UCLA, Caltech, and CSULA, along with top venture firms, industry and civic partners, and regional accelerators. Throughout the day, attendees will explore the forces shaping Southern California’s innovation future—from deep-tech commercialization and academic spinouts to healthcare investment trends, LA’s entrepreneurial strengths, and the infrastructure required to support a world-class innovation ecosystem. Learn more and register here.
OORI RESEARCH CATALYST PROGRAM
The Fall 2025 deadline for the USC Research Catalyst Program has now passed, and we are thrilled with the enthusiastic response from faculty across the university. The review process is currently underway, with awards expected to be announced in early 2026. We encourage researchers to begin preparing for the next application deadline on February 16th, particularly those interested in advancing bold, team-based, interdisciplinary ideas with strong potential for scholarly and societal impact.
The Research Catalyst Program supports projects that align with USC’s strategic priorities and foster collaboration across schools and disciplines. As a reminder, the program includes a recorded informational webinar and a microlearning module outlining eligibility, application components, evaluation criteria, and examples of successful proposals. These resources are available on the program webpage and provide valuable guidance for applicants preparing submissions for the February cycle.
OORI INNOVATION CATALYST PROGRAM
The deadlines have now passed for both the Innovation Empowerment Initiative and the Early
Career Innovator Initiative, and we are pleased to share that the review process is underway for Innovation Empowerment proposals. OORI is also actively facilitating matches for the Early Career Innovator initiative, with final selections expected to be announced in early 2026.
Looking ahead, applications for the Early Career Innovator–Techstars initiative are due
February 1, offering USC students an opportunity to engage directly with the USC Techstars Accelerator Program. Submissions for the Stevens Translation Catalyst are due March 1, supporting promising technologies as they move toward translation and commercialization. The Startup Launch program continues to accept applications on a rolling basis for teams ready to advance toward venture formation.
For those interested in learning more, the Innovation Catalyst Program offers a recorded informational webinar and a microlearning module that outline program components, eligibility, expectations, and selection criteria. We encourage prospective applicants to review these resources as they prepare for upcoming deadlines.
USC TECHSTARS PARTNERSHIP
Applications for the 2026 USC Techstars Accelerator are now under review, with selections anticipated to be announced in early 2026. This year’s applicant pool reflects the growing strength of USC’s innovation community, and we look forward to sharing the cohort once the review process is complete.
We will also soon be announcing the dates for the USC Techstars Startup Weekend, a high- energy, immersive experience where aspiring founders, builders, and innovators come together to form teams, develop ideas, and accelerate early concepts into viable opportunities.
To stay informed about the Startup Weekend announcement—and to receive updates on upcoming programs, resources, and opportunities across the USC innovation ecosystem—we encourage you to sign up for the Innovation listserv. To subscribe, send an email to usc- innovation@maillist.usc.edu with the following in the message body: “Subscribe usc-innovation
<<your name here>>.” You will receive a confirmation email shortly after.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS
From Lab to Market: OORI Unveils Unified Funding Pipeline for Research and Innovation Stay updated on the Office of Research & Innovations (OORI) latest news stories by visiting the OORI News page or via the USC Innovation Ecosystem news page.
DEPARTMENT OF CONTRACTS & GRANTS (DCG): The Department of Contracts and
Grants extends warm wishes for a joyful and restful holiday season. As we approach the University’s Winter Recess, please note that DCG will be closed December 25, 2025–January 1, 2026.
To help ensure timely support, we encourage Principal Investigators and Department
Administrators to plan for proposal and award activity—especially deadlines during the closure periods, early-January submissions, and time-sensitive post-award requests such as no-cost extensions and prior approvals. Early submission is particularly important for federal proposals due to federal validation requirements.
The National Institutes of Health Updates:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced three significant policy updates that will impact both grant applications and ongoing compliance, aimed at strengthening research security while reducing administrative burden. Going forward, all senior/key personnel listed on NIH applications will be required to complete annual Research Security Training, with compliance applying to applications due on or after May 25, 2026. NIH will also transition to standardized Common Forms for biographical sketches and Current and Pending (Other) Support beginning with submissions due January 25, 2026, introducing new certifications related to foreign affiliations and Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs. Finally, NIH has eliminated the requirement for Letters of Intent and pre-submission contact for unsolicited applications requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs, streamlining the application process and providing greater flexibility for applicants.
Staff Updates:
Teri Hansen will be retiring from USC on January 31, 2026, following nearly 17 years of service with the Department of Contracts and Grants, where she supported the Keck School of Medicine,
Viterbi School, and Marina ISI/ICT campus and contributed significantly to the development of DCG staff. Her institutional knowledge and leadership have been instrumental to DCG’s operations, and we wish her well in her retirement.
Microlearning Series:
Our Microlearning series delivers brief, bi-weekly sessions on key research administration topics. Explore the full lineup on the DCG Training website. Recent Microlearnings include:
- Gifts vs. Grants: Understanding the Difference
- Subawards Made Simple: How to Avoid Delays
- Understanding USC’s Clinical Trials Office: Support for Research Success • Making Sense of Research Terms: Non-Federal Awards and Service
STEVENS CENTER FOR INNOVATION: Updated IP Policy Alert! We’re so excited to roll out USC’s updated Intellectual Property Policy, which will go into effect on March 1, 2026. This new policy addresses the management of intellectual property rights across all aspects of USC’s academic and research activities. To ensure you are fully informed, we encourage you to review the new Intellectual Property Policy document and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page linked below. These resources will help answer any questions you may have about the changes and how they may affect you.
The new IP Policy and FAQs can be found on the website.
We highly encourage you to read the updated IP policy and reach out to a licensing associate with any questions. In addition, we’re planning to host information sessions for the innovation community regarding the new policy. Dates will be shared in early 2026.
Nobel Roots, Global Reach! We’re pleased to announce that Daikin Applied is now a licensee of a groundbreaking technology, invented at the university, that enables the reduction of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and supports indoor CO₂ capture, contributing to cleaner, healthier, and more energy-efficient buildings. The technology is a regenerative family of CO₂ adsorbents originally developed in the USC Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute laboratories by Nobel Prize–winning chemist George Olah (1927–2017; Founding Director of the Loker
Hydrocarbon Research Institute); Surya Prakash, Director and Distinguished Professor and
George A. and Judith A. Olah Nobel Laureate Chair in Hydrocarbon Chemistry; Alain Goeppert, Senior Research Scientist; and others. This is a huge step forward for clean-air tech! Read more about this licensing agreement here.
Thanks for an innovative and inventive year. The USC Stevens team hopes you have a joyful, restful, and peaceful holiday season. We look forward to working with you in 2026!
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL RESOURCES (DAR): The Department of Animal Resources
wishes you and your families a warm and joyful Holiday Season. As you plan for the upcoming break and the University’s Winter Recess, please review the important dates and reminders below to help ensure a smooth transition. DAR will be operating with limited staff, and some services will be unavailable from Wednesday, December 17, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026.
- New animal orders and transfers (with the exception of standing orders): will be processed starting Jan 6, 2026.
- Last delivery of new animal orders: Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Deliveries will resume on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
- Export and Imports: All import/export activities will resume on January 12, 2026.
- The Business Office will be closed; inquiries regarding charges or accounts will be addressed after the recess.
- Please plan for drug and supply orders, as shipping delays may occur during this time.
- Veterinary staff will remain available to support both ongoing and new clinical cases; contact information is posted in all facilities.
To help us ensure timely care during your absence, please contact vetmed@med.usc.edu in advance if no one from your lab will be available to respond to questions regarding sick animals so we can coordinate appropriate arrangements.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to the DAR Administrative Office at daradm@med.usc.edu. We appreciate your partnership and wish you a restful and happy holiday break.
HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTIONS AND RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY: For
researchers conducting exempt research, we have edited the template information sheet. The main revisions in this form are instructions to direct researchers to upload their information sheets into section 24.7 of the iStar IRB application instead of 40.1. It is recommended to begin using this template for new exempt research immediately. You can find the template in the Forms and Templates section of the HRPP website. Researchers should always be encouraged to download fresh copies of templates to ensure that the most recent templates are always used. We strive to ensure that we maintain these templates to clear up misunderstandings and provide good guidance.
The IRB is seeing increasing submissions of research that involves Artificial Intelligence. To properly review research involving AI, we will be introducing new questions into the IRB application, new training, and new procedures. We are exploring what to ask and how to evaluate the responses, in addition to ensuring that we have appropriate expertise when needed. The expectation is that we will roll out the new questions and training for the IRB analysts at the end of February, 2026.
The HRPP and RTS wish everyone a safe and joyful winter break and will observe the USC Winter Recess and be closed between Dec 25 and Jan 1. Some staff have indicated their interest in working during some of the break, but on the whole the office will be closed. The hrpp@usc.edu and istar@usc.edu emails will be monitored during this time, although greater than normal response times may occur.
INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE & USE COMMITTEE (IACUC):
Protocol preparation in iStar-IACUC continues to evolve. Investigators can now take advantage of built-in Standard Procedures that populate key protocol sections directly within the system. By selecting a Standard procedure, required content is automatically inserted, promoting consistency and reducing time spent on manual entry.
This functionality is expanding, with additional Standard Procedures currently in development. We encourage the research community to help shape future Standard Procedures by sharing feedback or suggestions at iacuc@usc.edu.
Looking ahead to early 2026, we are preparing to launch a new, streamlined process for enrolling in required animal use training. This upcoming enhancement will simplify access to training, reduce administrative workload for research teams, and ensure continued compliance with IACUC training requirements.
Be on the lookout for more details and announcements in January 2026 as we get closer to launch—we are excited to share what’s coming next.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY (EH&S):
Winter Recess Safety
As campus enters Winter Recess, please take a moment to review key lab safety reminders: avoid working alone on hazardous procedures, ensure PPE is available and used correctly, maintain reliable communication, and confirm emergency equipment is functional. Report all incidents to DPS at (213) 740-4321 and serious injuries to EH&S at (323) 442-2200 within 8 hours.
Coming Soon
As the new year begins, watch out for EH&S’ Annual Laboratory Safety Refresher Training Memo reaffirming our shared commitment to a safe environment in labs at USC. Additionally, stay tuned for an updated 2025 Annual Summary highlighting the year’s key accomplishments, safety milestones, and important safety metrics from the past year.
LATE BREAKING NEWS:
NSF Announces Organizational Realignment
The National Science Foundation has announced a new organizational structure that “empowers our staff and the scientific and research community to be more responsive in a rapidly evolving science and technology environment.” The new organizational chart is available at this link.