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Dear colleagues, I hope your summer is off to a great start and that this is energizing your research and creative work! As you know we have put. Lot of energy into our Grand Challenge process this year to build research programs that will enable CU Denver to reach its ambitious goal to be globally recognized for our research that positively impacts five societal grand challenges. We have received and synthesized external reviews and made decisions about funding and supporting groups across CU Denver. We will be working with the selected groups over the next month to finalize their plans, support, and expectations. We will make a big public announcement in the Fall, but I anticipate sharing the results with you in this newsletter next month. We are also starting a post-mortem of the process that will continue over the summer and into the Fall, when we will launch the second annual Grand Challenge process. I am not sure there has ever been a better time during my career for research funding, with bipartisan support for expanding the US research enterprise. Two exciting things happened in the last couple of months that illustrate increasing, and changing, federal commitments to research; changes that are highly aligned with our strategic plan to focus our efforts on cross-disciplinary, team-based approaches to address societal grand challenges. First, NSF made what is probably its biggest move in half of a century by creating a new Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) directorate, that interestingly that it was announced at SXSW 2022! TIP intends to “create breakthrough technologies; meet societal and economic needs; lead to new, high-wage jobs; and empower all Americans to participate in the U.S. research and innovation enterprise. TIP is a unique opportunity that engages the nation’s diverse talent in strengthening and scaling the use-inspired and translational research that will drive tomorrow’s technologies and solutions.” I think you can see from this short description how well aligned our strategic plan is with this future direction the US is taking. Also, a couple weeks ago the White House announced the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) as an independent entity housed in NIH. ARPA-H “will provide a novel pathway to catalyzing transformative health breakthroughs that cannot readily be accomplished through traditional research or commercial activity.” Both of these announcements signal a trajectory that is not business as usual for the US research enterprise, largely driven by the need to be increasingly globally competitive. Many other agencies are increasing their focus on use-inspired, team-based research support focused on societal challenges, and a translation to innovation and broader impact, ranging from economic to policy guidance. As my term as interim chief research officer wraps up, I want you to know how excited I am for our future. I have been meeting weekly with our incoming chief research officer Phillip Deleon who will join us August 1. He will bring much-needed great ideas, experience, and passion to CU Denver! Please check the updated list of June funding opportunities, and join me in congratulating CU Denver faculty who received new external sponsored project awards this month! Finally, please not the button at the bottom of this page to share your research advances with us so we can better promote the great work you are doing. Marty Dunn |
