2027 Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives (MRPI) Pilot Awards
The University of California has announced the 2027 Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives (MRPI) Pilot Awards, a funding opportunity designed to launch new, high-impact multicampus research collaborations. MRPI Pilot Awards are intended to support collaborations that go beyond single–PI projects and leverage the breadth of expertise, facilities, and resources across the UC system.
The competition is open to all fields of scholarship. Only UC Principal Investigators are eligible to apply, and proposals must include collaboration among at least three UC campuses. Projects may additionally involve UC-affiliated national laboratories, UC ANR, and UC Law San Francisco.
Program Principles and Priorities
MRPI funding is guided by three core principles:
- Enhance UC’s systemwide research capacity by leveraging shared resources and infrastructure.
- Advance multicampus, multidisciplinary collaboration to achieve outcomes not possible at a single campus or discipline.
- Create meaningful impact for UC and for California’s communities, environment, and economy.
Priority is given to projects that:
- Use seed funding to position teams for future extramural support
- Address areas underfunded relative to other institutions or their national and state importance
- Pursue innovative, interdisciplinary research in emerging fields of study that could increase UC’s research competitiveness.
All proposals should include graduate student training, cross-career-stage engagement, and a clear plan for sustaining the research beyond the award period.
Key Details & Dates
- LOI due: March 19, 2026
- Full applications due: August 6, 2026 (by invite only)
- Project duration: 1 or 2 years
- Maximum budget: Up to $250,000 per year
- Participation limit: Each PI/Co-PI/Co-I may participate in one proposal only
Applicants should carefully review the 2027 MRPI RFP and visit the UC Research Initiatives website for additional information, program updates, and applicant webinar details.
Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers in Practice RFA
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) in partnership with the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium supports applied research that accelerates adoption of enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) products and practices that increase crop nutrient use efficiency, support desired crop yield and reduce nutrient losses. This Request for Applications seeks research for field trials to evaluate the agronomic performance and environmental impact of EEFs in targeted geographical regions and cropping systems.
Projects must consist of hypothesis-driven research in one or more of the following topic areas:
- The impact of stacking EEF(s) with field management (e.g. tillage, cover crops) and 4R Nutrient Stewardship (4RNS) practices (right source, right rate, right time and right placement of fertilizer) in nutrient management to enhance the understanding of how EEFs perform to better support producer decision making
- Nutrient carryover effects from EEFs and crop rotations.
- Identification of EEFs that work best to support crop nutrition, yield and nutrient use efficiency in specific climates, soils and cropping systems.
- Agronomic and environmental tradeoffs resulting from the implementation of EEFs and other management and 4RNS practices.
- The impact of EEF use on soil microbial communities and function.
Key Details & Dates
- Award range: up to $500,000
- Required match: Not required but encouraged
- Pre-application Deadline: March 18, 2026, 5pm EST
- Full Proposals Due: April 15, 2026 (by invite only)
For more information and to access the proposal template, visit FFAR Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers website.