Research Engagement Opportunities

Research Engagement supports Principal Investigators throughout the research lifecycle from early-stage ideation and partnership building through implementation of education and workforce development activities and evaluation.

Consulting on Broader Impacts and/or Community Partnerships for Proposal Development

Several federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Institute of Educational Sciences (IES), include specific language about broader impacts requirements for funding programs. Other funding agencies require plans for engaging with non-research partners or participants. Applicants are encouraged to schedule a consultation with Research Engagement as early as possible to discuss initial ideas, learn about existing community partners and other campus units involved in this work, and develop a plan as proposals are initially envisioned and drafted.

Early-Stage Idea Development and Partnership-Building for Research Engagement

Faculty and researchers may wish to involve our team as a thinking partner during the early stages of conceptualizing a new idea for a research engagement opportunity, potentially with a new community organization or network. Depending on the topic and partners involved, Research Engagement can help move ideas forward by sharing expertise, facilitating introductions and connections, and conducting a collaborative co-development session for a new team working together on an effort. Looking for a research partner in the community, collaborating on a research project,

Plugging into Research Engagement’s Signature Programs for Implementation

Currently, Research Engagement has four signature programs that provide clear and structured options for faculty and researchers to engage in high-quality, purposeful work: the STEM Teacher Residency program, run in partnership with the Center for STEM Education, the High School Academic Year Research Internship, Research Experiences for Teachers, and the Excellence in Mentorship Workshop. For each of these signature programs, faculty and researchers will be provided with a template for engagement, outlining the estimated time and budget commitments typically associated with leveraging these models for a particular proposal or research award.

Requesting Assistance with Program Evaluation for Research Engagement Activities

It is now a common expectation of funding agencies that grant-associated broader impacts and research engagement projects will include a formal program evaluation or assessment. Our team can provide evaluation services and help applicants connect to a network of program evaluators with focused expertise in the areas needed for their proposals.