MONTHLY NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2026
Dear USC Research & Innovation Partners,
I want to recognize your extraordinary work during this fiscal year and share updates on three developments affecting USC’s research enterprise.
Research Funding Momentum Continues: Despite an increasingly competitive and uncertain federal funding environment, USC’s research enterprise continues to demonstrate exceptional strength and resilience. Near the close of the fiscal year, the University has already surpassed its total federal research funding from both FY24 and FY25, making FY26 USC’s strongest year on record for federal awards.
Overall sponsored project funding also remains exceptionally strong. To date, USC has received approximately $882 million in sponsored awards and is on pace to approach the FY25 total of $911 million—a year that included a one-time industry award of $163.4 million.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication and collaboration of USC faculty, investigators, research staff, and research administrators. Together, you continue to strengthen USC’s position as a leading research institution and advance discoveries that improve lives and benefit society.
On behalf of the Office of Research and Innovation, thank you for your partnership and commitment to excellence.
Preparing for Proposed Federal Grant Regulation Changes: The Office of Management and Budget has proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance, the federal regulations governing grants and cooperative agreements. If finalized, the changes, anticipated to take effect as early as October 1, 2026, could affect how federally sponsored research is administered across higher education.
OORI is actively reviewing the proposed regulations and coordinating with university leadership, the Research Council, research administration and partner offices, and national higher education organizations to assess potential impacts. We are helping USC develop a comprehensive institutional response to ensure USC is well prepared to comply with any new federal requirements while continuing to support the research community.
Currently, no action is required by investigators or research staff. Please continue administering sponsored projects in accordance with current federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and University policies.
We will continue to monitor the federal rulemaking process closely and provide updates as additional information becomes available. Should the regulations be finalized and require changes to university processes or investigator responsibilities, guidance will be communicated through official University channels.
Changes that will take effect on July 1, 2026: Over the past several months, the university has been considering how best to position OORI for the future. A central conclusion of that work is that we must strengthen both the operational foundation of the research enterprise and our capacity to cultivate external partnerships, expand innovation, and diversify research funding opportunities.
This direction aligns with President Beong-Soo Kim’s vision for a stronger, more externally engaged research enterprise, including new partnership models and innovative approaches to research growth. Therefore:
- Jeri Muniz will be promoted to Vice President of Research Administration and Operations. In this role, Jeri will oversee USC’s core research administration and operations functions, helping to ensure stability, consistency, and excellence across compliance-sensitive and operational areas of the research enterprise.
- Andy Wilson will assume the role of Vice President of Research Partnerships and Innovation. In this role, Andy will lead efforts to expand strategic partnerships, strengthen innovation, and help USC pursue new opportunities that support research growth and longterm impact.
Please join me in congratulating Jeri and Andy on these new appointments. Their leadership, expertise, and commitment to USC will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our research and innovation enterprise.
I look forward to working with all of you as we together build the next chapter of USC’s research and innovation enterprise.
Ishwar K. Puri, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Research & Innovation and Professor
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION STRATEGY (RIS):
FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
White House Quantum Executive Order: The White House issued a June 22 executive order,
Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation, signaling a federal push to accelerate U.S. leadership in quantum science and technology. The order emphasizes quantum computing for scientific discovery, sensing, networking, manufacturing, supply chains, and workforce development, with DOE subsequently announcing a related Quantum Genesis initiative focused on scientifically relevant, fault-tolerant quantum computing. USC investigators working in quantum information science, photonics, sensing, materials, computing, cybersecurity, and related areas should monitor forthcoming opportunities from NSF, DOE, DOD, NIST, NASA, and other federal agencies.
Federal AI and Cybersecurity Priority Signal: A new federal executive order on AI innovation and security directs federal agencies to identify grant programs that may support advanced AI vulnerability detection and related cybersecurity capabilities. The order also emphasizes AI-enabled cyber defense, vulnerability discovery and validation, and secure frontier model deployment. USC teams working in AI safety, cybersecurity, software assurance, adversarial machine learning, critical infrastructure protection, and secure AI systems should monitor forthcoming federal opportunities.
DARPA DICE Solicitation: DARPA released the Decentralized Artificial Intelligence through Controlled Emergence solicitation, focused on theory and algorithms for decentralized coordination and local inference control in heterogeneous AI-agent systems. The program may be relevant to USC faculty working in AI, multi-agent systems, autonomy, formal methods, simulation, cybersecurity, resilient decision-making, and human control of autonomous systems.
Proposals are due August 25, 2026.
ARPA-H REST Sleep Program: ARPA-H launched the Restorative & health-Enhancing Sleep Time program to develop in-home systems that can measure, diagnose, and improve sleep through noninvasive, closed-loop technologies. The program encourages interdisciplinary teams spanning sleep medicine, neuroscience, psychiatry, biomedical engineering, biosensing, signal processing, machine learning, neuromodulation, clinical trials, and regulatory science. Solution summaries are due August 12, 2026.
USC AND TECHSTARS PARTNERSHIP
USC and Techstars Accelerator Demo Day: Congratulations to the 2026 USC and Techstars Accelerator cohort on a successful Demo Day! The event featured exciting activity from across the USC innovation ecosystem and outstanding pitches from all eight participating companies.
This year’s cohort showcased the breadth of Trojan entrepreneurship, with companies working across women’s health, digital health, AI-enabled talent, family logistics, influencer marketing, robotics and automation, asset recovery, and community-based healthcare operations. We are proud to celebrate the founders’ progress and grateful to the mentors, investors, university leaders, and ecosystem partners who helped support this year’s program.
To learn more about the participating companies, view the cohort lookbook here. A recording of the Demo Day program is also available here.
USC and Techstars University Catalyst Program: Applications are closing soon for the 2026 USC & Techstars University Catalyst program, a 10-week, part-time pre-accelerator for earlystage USC-affiliated founders.
Selected teams receive expert-led instruction, pitch coaching, 1:1 mentorship, peer collaboration, and access to USC and Techstars innovation networks. The program is open to USC faculty, staff, students, and alumni; is free for selected participants; and does not require any equity exchange.
Applications close July 8, 2026, and up to 20 startups will be selected. Learn more and apply here.
DEPARTMENT OF CONTRACTS & GRANTS (DCG): The next NIH standard due date is
Monday, July 6, 2026 (observed from the July 5 standard deadline) for R01 and U01 Renewal, Resubmission, and Revision applications. Investigators are strongly encouraged to submit final proposal packages well in advance of the sponsor deadline to allow sufficient time for institutional review and Grants.gov validation.
Grants.gov “SAM Deactivation” Submission Error: Grants.gov is currently experiencing intermittent system issues that falsely identify active SAM.gov registrations as “inactive” or “deactivated,” preventing proposal submission. USC’s SAM.gov registration remains active and in good standing. This is a federal system issue and is not specific to USC.
What is the impact? When this error occurs, proposal submissions may be delayed from several minutes to multiple days while Grants.gov and SAM.gov systems resynchronize. Once synchronization is restored, submissions proceed normally. To date, no downstream issues have been reported for proposals affected by this error.
What can you do? Submit early. Proposals submitted within 24 hours of a sponsor deadline are at the greatest risk if this error occurs. Early submission provides time to troubleshoot, contact Grants.gov support, and document any federal system-related delays.
Foreign Component Disclosure Requirements: NIH has recently reaffirmed its longstanding definition of a foreign component and the associated disclosure requirements. While the definition itself has not changed, NIH continues to increase oversight of foreign collaborations and activities conducted under federally funded research. Foreign components may include:
- Significant project activities conducted outside the United States.
- Use of foreign facilities or resources.
- Collaborations that result in foreign co-authorship.
Investigators are encouraged to review their research collaborations, publications, and project activities to ensure that any foreign components are appropriately disclosed and permitted under the applicable funding opportunity. Failure to disclose foreign components may result in additional NIH review or other compliance actions.
STEVENS CENTER FOR INNOVATION: Earlier this month, USC, OORI, and the Stevens
Center were proud to host the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 15th Annual Conference in Los Angeles, welcoming inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovation leaders from around the world to Los Angeles. Guided by the theme “From Discovery to Destiny,” the fourday event featured Welcome Reception remarks from USC President Beong-Soo Kim, USC Trustee Mark A. Stevens, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation Ishwar Puri, and other distinguished leaders in innovation and intellectual property. The reception set the stage for a star-studded lineup of speakers and panelists and several days of inspiring conversations, including a fascinating fireside chat with Dr. Puri and Mr. Stevens on innovation and philanthropy.
The conference also celebrated the NAI Class of 2025 Fellows and Class of 2026 Senior Members while highlighting the transformative impact of invention, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. This year’s induction included three Fellows, 13 Senior Members, and four Honorary Members, including President Kim, Mr. Stevens, Dr. Puri, and Dr. David Agus. During the morning remarks on the final day of the conference, Dr. Erin Overstreet reflected on the connections, ideas, and momentum generated throughout the week. As the host institution, USC was honored to showcase its innovation ecosystem, convene this distinguished community of innovators, and celebrate inventors from around the globe. Congrats to all honorees this year!
Read the NAI 2026 conference recap on our website and view the NAI’s conference photos here.
ALFRED E. MANN INSTITUTE (AMI): The AMI is continuing to support early-stage USCaffiliated life science companies through investment, mentorship, expert advice, and access to external funding. The AMI has now invested in 7 companies, making progress in therapeutics and diagnostics targeting inflammation, heart disease, and numerous cancers, with several companies conducting ongoing clinical trials. The office is expected to make several additional investments in 2026, so please reach out to learn more about how to get your company into our pipeline.
Recently, the AMI has made investments in Myelogene Inc., a company spun out research from
Dr. Qilong Ying, Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at USC KSOM and Dr. Chao Zhang, Professor of Chemistry at USC Dornsife. Myelogene is developing granulocyte-monocyte progenitor off-the-shelf cellular therapies for solid tumors. The company has received seed funding from Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund and is raising additional funding to take their program to the clinic.
Additionally, AMI recently invested in StemCardia Inc., a company spun out of research from Dr. Charles Murry, the Director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC KSOM. StemCardia is developing therapeutic-grade cardiac cells for direct administration into the heart in patients suffering from heart failure. StemCardia has advanced their platform to IND-enabling studies and is fundraising to get in clinical trials this year.
The AMI has also kicked off the inaugural USC + Amgen BioAccelerator, a program designed to support the acceleration of one USC-affiliated company per year. Following a competitive selection process, one company will be selected to receive an investment from the AMI, scientific and business development mentorship from Amgen, and one year of laboratory space at LA BioSpace. AMI is excited to broaden our engagement with the industry and local area incubators to strengthen our investments and power our innovation in the life sciences.
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL RESOURCES (DAR):
Boyle Heights Warehouse Fire – Air Quality Monitoring: The DAR team is actively monitoring the potential effects of the Boyle Heights warehouse fire on air quality in USC animal facilities. Protecting the health and safety of animal users, DAR staff, and research animals remains our highest priority. All DAR animal facilities meet The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommendation of providing 10–15 air changes per hour. In addition, many animal enclosures utilize HEPA-filtered ventilation systems, with HEPA filtration incorporated into animal racks. Importantly, no animal rooms use recirculated air. DAR veterinarians and animal care staff continue to closely monitor animal health for any effects related to this environmental incident. Should any impacts be identified, affected animal users will be notified promptly.
USDA APHIS Inspection Results: The Animal Care Program recently completed its annual inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). We are pleased to report that the program received no non-compliant findings.
This successful inspection reflects DAR’s commitment to its mission and the strong partnership between the Animal Care Program and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) in maintaining the highest standards of animal care and regulatory compliance.
County Inspection Confirms Compliance: A recent inspection by the Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures confirmed that the innovative use of a cleaning chemical in one of our cage washers is fully compliant with California state law. DAR demonstrated the effectiveness of this validated cleaning method through documented ATP swab testing, confirming that materials and equipment are being cleaned to established standards.
Per Diem and Service Rates: Each fiscal year, DAR carefully reviews per diem and service rates to support both research excellence and the needs of investigators. Following a comprehensive analysis of operational expenses and financial modeling, current rates remain appropriately aligned with existing costs. There will be no increase to per diem or service rates effective July 1.
Did You Know? Through the administrative oversight of DAR veterinarians, USC maintains a California Department of Fish and Wildlife permit that allows certain wildlife species to be used legally and responsibly in research. This permit supports compliant stewardship of these species while advancing scientific discovery.
HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTIONS AND RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY:
What’s New in iStar: June 26, 2026, Release. Several enhancements designed to streamline research administration and compliance processes were released. Highlights include:
- IRB – New Cyber Security Review section: Studies that use artificial intelligence (AI) to retrieve, gather, and/or store participant data now include a dedicated Cyber Security Review section.
- IACUC – Inspections: IACUC inspections and related notifications are now managed directly within iStar, providing a streamlined and centralized workflow.
- IBC – Simplified Submission: IBC protocols involving investigational products that are not manufactured at USC no longer require completion of Sections 3–6, 8, and 9.
For a complete list of enhancements and system changes, please visit the iStar 6.14 System Info.
Coming Soon – SafeTrack Integration: With the launch of EH&S SafeTrack in early August, required IBC and RSC training records will be automatically synchronized with iStar user profiles through nightly updates.
INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE & USE COMMITTEE (IACUC): The IACUC wants to
remind faculty and researchers of two valuable resources designed to support a smoother, faster animal research protocol review process: Pre-Review Consultations and Expedited Reviews.
Pre-Review Consultations with a DAR Clinical Veterinarian: Did you know you can consult with the DAR Clinical Veterinarian before submitting your protocol to the IACUC? A prereview consultation is a no-cost, low-barrier way to get expert feedback early — helping you refine proposed procedures, define humane endpoints, anticipate potential adverse events, and submit a stronger protocol the first time. Pre-review consultations are especially recommended for novel or complex procedures, new species, and first-time submissions. To schedule one, contact a DAR Clinical Veterinarian at daradm@med.usc.edu or any DAR veterinarian directly.
Please ensure that protocols are in the Pre-Submission state in IStar.
IACUC Expedited Review: Is Your Protocol Eligible? When research timelines are urgent, an expedited review may be an option. Expedited review can significantly shorten the time to approval — PIs simply need to provide a clear, valid justification. Some of the most common reasons researchers request expedited review include:
Time-sensitive study timelines — modifications to procedures or surgeries on protocols where delays would compromise the science (e.g., Alzheimer’s studies, long-term aging studies, or tumor-induced studies where rapid health decline is a concern)
Animal overages — requests to increase animal numbers when usage has exceeded the approved 20% threshold
Funding contingencies — when funding is on hold pending protocol approval; urgency criteria vary by agency, and PIs must submit supporting documentation (e.g., a notice from the funding agency) with their request
Expedited review is most commonly used for amendments; however, new protocols and thirdyear renewals may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. To request an expedited review, indicate your request at the time of submission and include a written justification with any supporting documentation.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY (EH&S):
CDPH Concludes its Medical Waste Inspection: The California Department of Public Health
(CDPH) recently completed its multi-day Medical Waste inspection at UPC and HSC campuses. State inspectors paired with EH&S to conduct walkthroughs of facilities where medical waste is generated and stored. Thanks to the preparation of EH&S staff and collaboration with researchers and administrators campuswide, USC successfully completed the inspections with only minor issues, many of which were corrected immediately during the inspection. Thank you to all who participated and helped keep USC safe!
New eLearning Training Available – BHS: EH&S is pleased to announce the launch of a new Shipment of Biological Materials and/or Dry Ice (BHS) training in TrojanLearn. The course provides USC personnel with the knowledge and regulatory requirements needed to safely prepare, package, label, and ship biological materials and dry ice. Participants will learn about hazard classification, packaging requirements, documentation procedures, and safety practices to support research activities requiring transport of Category B substances. Take the training in TrojanLearn >>
Heat Illness Reminder: As temperatures rise in the summer months, heat-related illness can happen, even when working indoors. Please take precautions to prevent heat-related illness by staying hydrated, taking breaks in cool or shaded areas, and recognizing early symptoms such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, or nausea. Researchers working outdoors or in warm environments indoors should plan work accordingly and monitor themselves and their coworkers for signs of heat stress. For additional guidance and resources, please visit the USC EH&S Heat Illness Prevention webpage.