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Why a Research Center?

Why a Research Center?.

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Why a Research Center?

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  1. Why a Research Center? “Research centers are revolutionizing the way science is done, who performs science, and the impacts and purposes of science…The research center is the future of science where projects are jointly framed and undertaken, and discoveries and applications are increasingly approaching real time convergence” (Tash, 2006, pp. 1, 2).

  2. Why a Research Center? Research Centers: • Exist to advance the scientific enterprise that is esteemed at R1 institutions • Enhance the intellectual environment of the institution • Generate high quality research portfolio • Build research identity and capacity • Provide the fuel necessary to propel individual and groups of researchers toward scientific excellence • Concentrate talent and resources (critical mass) leading to synergistic, nonlinear outcomes • Create a positive, dedicated research climate • Create the ability for researchers to associate with a recognized, validated program of research excellence • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration • Foster the recruitment/retention of top faculty • Aide in graduate student recruitment and support • Generate and leverage external resources for research

  3. CYFS --We Aim to: • Create, nurture, and develop an environment that will build capacity of researchers to conduct novel research • Build intellectual capital by contributing to the development, dissemination, and integration of the scientific knowledge base • Enhance the scope, quality, and impact of UNL's grant-supported interdisciplinary research

  4. Comments by Independent External Grant Reviewers & Officers (NIH, IES, NSF) • “Major strengths [of this application] include strong research institution with the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.” • “The center infrastructure at the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools has research support units that will support the technical, methodological, and applied aspects of the research and dissemination activities.” • “The Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools provides a strong institutional base, drawing on many university disciplines.” • “The Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools housed at UNL provides an excellent research environment.” • “CYFS has produced an impressive and diverse research portfolio and is well-positioned for highly competitive grants.”

  5. In a Nutshell… • We create the context for researchers, in partnership with one another and with community stakeholders, to establish reliable findings; inform and influence the knowledge base; translate findings into evidence-based practices; and provide scientifically-grounded education, leadership and outreach.

  6. Who We Are A collective, interdisciplinary group of CEHS and NU researchers and scientists who conduct cutting-edge, high quality research in 3 substantive domains: • Early childhood education and intervention • Academic intervention, instruction, and learning • Child and youth risk, resilience, and health promotion

  7. Who We Are • We are College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) researchers and related scientists • Approximately 100 faculty affiliates representing 3 campuses (UNL, UNMC, UNO), 6 colleges or major units; 21 departments • 94 different faculty members and 6 graduate students have submitted grants through CYFS (as PI, Co-PI, or key personnel)

  8. Building Capacity • Current infrastructure includes 5 support units organized to cover all aspects of interdisciplinary research development, grant planning and submission, and post-award management • Proposal Development and Coordination • Statistics and Research Methodology • Budget, Grant Management, and Post-Award • Office Management and Support • Web and Technology Support

  9. Building Capacity Proposal Development and Coordination • Three research faculty fulfill several roles in supporting grant development, submission, and management. • As grant development coordinators, Research Faculty work with the principal investigator(s) in managing every aspect of grant proposal development and submission.

  10. Building Capacity Proposal Development and Coordination • Monitor grant funding opportunities (e.g., RFPs, PAs) as they are released by agencies; triage • Promote and organize interdisciplinary research teams that foster new research • Assist with project conceptualization, content writing, budget, submission • Coordinate Faculty Affiliate interactions with personnel from other Center support units • Coordinate interactions with other research offices on campus (e.g., OSP, IRB) • Conduct/Participate in Center-supported research projects and teams • Teach a grant proposal writing course for graduate students

  11. Building Capacity Statistics and Research Methodology • Proposal development and post-award support in the conceptualization of the research design and methodology and the selection and execution of data analyses • Experienced statisticians who specialize in experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational design methodology; measurement; and cross-sectional, longitudinal, and correlational data analytic approaches (e.g., regression, basic analyses of variance, structural equation modeling, growth modeling, hierarchical linear modeling) • Assist Faculty Affiliates throughout grant proposal development and writing • Conduct basic data analytic supports after the grant is funded

  12. Building Capacity Grant Management and Post-Award • Direct assistance with budget development and post-award oversight of grant functions. • Assist CYFS Research Faculty and Faculty Affiliates in developing a budget. • Provide post-award budget management in many different areas (e.g., Human Resources, purchasing, travel, budget reconciliation and periodic budget reports). • Assist in human resources/hiring of personnel (requesting and advertising for new positions through the final paperwork required to add a new employee to the UNL payroll system, will be handled by Center support staff. • Processing employee expense vouchers for travel reimbursement, initiating payments/stipends to non-UNL employees, monitoring budget spending to meet post-award requirements established by Sponsored Programs

  13. Building Capacity Web and Technology Support • Center web and technology support provides assistance with individual grant needs •  Database development, hardware and software support, server functions • Daily troubleshooting regarding computing needs, desktop supports, peripherals, etc.

  14. Building Capacity • 75 graduate and 9 undergraduate students (84 total) participated actively in Center-based research, most in funded positions • Grant-writing course offered for graduate students in spring session; follow up course supports grad student grant submission • Post-doc training supportsecured through IES (2008 – 2012)

  15. Impact on Science Total external dollars generated in research (in millions) relative to PoE support: • 149 grants submitted totaling >$138 M • 68 grants funded totaling >$32.4 M • Hit rate = 50% • Return on investment: $20.95 returned for every $1 invested by UNL Millions

  16. Impact on Intellectual/Scientific Capital • Over 90 publications by grant-supported faculty in refereed journals in 2007 • Research digests (briefs) highlight faculty affiliates’ empirical research • Annual reports analogue status and progress • Newsletter series launched in April, 2008

  17. Impact on Intellectual/Scientific Capital • Speaker series supporting the mission and core of CYFS • Creating Connections Series hosts 1-3 talks per year by national researchers • Grant-related trainings and workshops • Statistics/Methodology seminars

  18. How to Access CYFS • Visit our website at www.cyfs.unl.edu • Upcoming events and announcements posted on the front page • Current funding opportunities within the social and human sciences • Faculty and students affiliated with our Center • Procedures for how to develop a working relationship with CYFS • Think about how your research agenda fits with our mission and goals, and then think about how can we help you achieve your research goals. • Prepare a concept paper (suggested guide at http://www.cyfs.unl.edu/submissionprocess.shtml) • Contact Susan Sheridan, Director for CYFS, for additional information or to discuss a potential beneficial relationship with CYFS

  19. Thank You! Susan Sheridan Director, CYFS 216 Mabel Lee Hall ssheridan2@unl.edu 472-6941 www.cyfs.unl.edu

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