Welcome to a new page on the NH-LIFT website! Here you will find upcoming events and professional development opportunities. We will be updating this page as more events/trainings are brought to our attention. If you have something to add to the calendar, please contact Amanda.Peterson@unh.edu
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
Friday, August 21
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Watch the workshop video
The NSF GRFP (new solicitation coming soon) funds individual students to attend graduate school - undergraduate seniors, 1st year grad students, and unenrolled students who have not previously attended grad school - are eligible to apply. The award provides a $37,000 stipend per year to the student as well as an institutional allowance in lieu of tuition to the student's graduate institution. This is a fantastic opportunity for research active seniors at your institutions who are interested in grad school. Attend this session to learn more so you can encourage students to apply – UNH will offer application support to students pursuing GRFP.
NH-LIFT Environmental Sampling Faculty Networking
October 2, 2026
1:00 - 4:00 PM
University of New Hampshire
MUB, Strafford Room
Register Here
Topic Areas: eDNA, Soil, Freshwater, Marine, Animal, Sediments, Air, Snow & Ince, Forestry, Plants
Come meet your colleagues from across the state for an organized networking event to spark NH-LIFT research connections and collaborations! Find your collaborators and apply for an NH-LIFT SPARC grant onsite to ensure the conversations continue. Detailed agenda to be posted soon.
Funding Scenarios and Search Strategies for Early Career Researchers and Scholars
November 5, 2026
12:40 - 2:00 PM
Virtual Registration Link
This workshop is intended for Early Career Faculty, Postdocs, PhD Students.
No matter what your discipline or research interests, getting your first grant(s) can be challenging. Many sponsors recognize this and have programs exclusively for scholars who are just starting out in their independent careers. Planning ahead to take advantage of these opportunities, as well as taking a strategic approach to looking for other opportunities, can help your early efforts to seek funding be more manageable and successful.
This workshop will cover:
- funding scenarios for moving toward independence as a scholar
- characteristics and requirements of the special funding opportunities available to early-career scholars from federal agencies, not-for-profits, and professional societies
- proven strategies and resources for searching for funding opportunities
- overview of the tools and assistance provided by the UNH Research Strategy and Development office to help early career researchers and scholars succeed
Questions? Contact Lynnette.Hentges@unh.edu
NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Program (S-STEM)
Mid-November TBD
Details to be updated
For more information, please contact Michael.Thompson@unh.edu
The NSF S-STEM supports institutions of higher education to fund scholarships for academically talented low-income STEM majors and to study and implement a program of activities that support their recruitment, retention and graduation. Several NH LIFT institutions have been successful with S-STEM, and this info session will feature a panel of current and former S-STEM PIs.
NSF EPSCoR Opportunities
January 2027 TBD
Details to be updated
For more information, please contact Michael.Thompson@unh.edu
In addition to E-CORE, which funds NH-LIFT, NSF offers three additional funding opportunites specifically to EPSCoR jurisdictions: EPSCoR Research Incubators for STEM Excellence (E-RISE), Focused EPSCoR Collaborations Program (FEC), and EPSCoR Research Fellows. This session will provide a brief overview of all three opportunities and discuss how PIs at your institution can become involved with future E-RISE or FEC efforts, or apply as individuals to Research Fellows.
NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)
Friday, April 16, 2027
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Details to be updated
NSF’s MRI program assists institutions with the acquisition or development of major research instrumentation generally too costly or inappropriate for support through other NSF programs. MRI awards, ranging from $100,000 - $4 million, are intended to increase access to shared (intra- or inter-organizational) scientific and engineering instruments for research and research training. The session provides details about the MRI program and tips for crafting a competitive proposal.