In anticipation of the upcoming NSF call for , and to increase CU Boulder鈥檚 competitiveness for such a center, the Research & Innovation Office (RIO) is leading efforts to ensure that all interested researchers from across campus are engaged in the university鈥檚 internal selection process. CU Boulder will be limited to one pre-proposal submission.
Background
MRSECs are comprised of two or three Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs) per center and led by a single faculty member acting as MRSEC Director. While IRGs do not have to be thematically connected, the MRSEC Director must be able to articulate a vision for the integrated center.
Identifying the MRSEC Director
A key component for the success of a MRSEC is identifying a faculty member that can help build the MRSEC vision and team. The MRSEC Director should be recognized as a national leader in the field, and have the demonstrated ability to work with and develop an integrated team of researchers. In the interest of identifying center-level leadership and providing adequate time for a team to craft a strong proposal, RIO is seeking nominations for the MRSEC Director.
To nominate yourself or one of your CU Boulder colleagues, please email the nominee鈥檚 contact information and a brief statement describing the rationale for the nomination to听听ltdsubs@colorado.edu by April 30, 2021. Self-nominations are accepted.
Selection of the MRSEC Director
Nominees will be asked to give a 15-minute public presentation to the campus community, including the Associate Deans for Research and the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation, during the second week of May. Nominees will be evaluated on their presentation, academic and leadership record, reputation and vision. Additional details about the evaluation process will be provided to nominees.
The presentations in May should demonstrate the nominee鈥檚 knowledge of CU Boulder and its cross-campus research strengths, convey their approach to building a cohesive and integrative center, describe their vision for the future of the MRSEC center, and detail how the values of diversity, equity and inclusion will be manifested in the center鈥檚 activities.
Additionally, presentations should reflect the following NSF MRSEC-specific review criteria:
- Is the organizational setting and rationale for the center justified?
- Is there potential for stimulating multidisciplinary interaction and collaborations on campus? Is there potential for organizational, national听and international impacts?
- Are education/outreach activities consistent with the center size? Does the proposed MRSEC research appear well-integrated with the education activities?
- Does the MRSEC foster increased participation in materials research and education of members of underrepresented groups in science and engineering at all academic levels (faculty, postdoctoral researchers and students)?
Questions? Email 听听ltdsubs@colorado.edu.