PROVIDENCE COLLEGE AMONG FIVE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO RECEIVE NSF GRANT TO LAUNCH THE R.I. RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION COLLABORATIVE
BRISTOL, R.I., Sept. 9, 2024 – Five higher education institutions in Rhode Island have received $3 million in National Science Foundation (NSF) funding to launch the Rhode Island Research Administration Collaborative (RIRAC). Through this first-of-its-kind initiative in Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, Providence College, Rhode Island College, Rhode Island School of Design, and Salve Regina University will expand their capacity to contribute to the state’s continued growth and leadership in research driven by its universities and colleges.
The NSF grant will provide funding over three years to the collaborating partners, all of which are primarily undergraduate institutions.
The partnering institutions aim to build capacity for advancing research by strengthening financial and administrative support for university sponsored-research offices, broadening the pipeline of future professionals, providing professional development to small non-profits, developing projects and research that address statewide needs, and facilitating the ability to bring academic research to the market. RIRAC will establish a research administration learning community that shares evidence-based practices and resources and will seek to identify collaborative research proposals among the partner institutions.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed supported the institutions’ proposal to the NSF GRANTED program.
“This is a big win for Rhode Island and a testament to the innovative research being done by this consortium of Ocean State colleges and universities. Rhode Island’s research ecosystem and capabilities will be strengthened by this federal investment. RIRAC will support interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research among students and faculty from various colleges and universities that will lead to future breakthroughs in a variety of fields. Importantly, this project will also inform NSF about new and diverse ways to work with smaller and primarily-undergraduate institutes of higher education,” said Sen. Reed.
The RIRAC initiative is being led through Roger Williams University (RWU) by principal investigator Peter Wong, director of research and sponsored programs at RWU. RWU will receive $614,727 to aim its efforts at developing a framework for technology transfer that benefits all partner institutions. RWU will also spearhead the development of grant administration mini courses designed to help small nonprofits in Rhode Island to compete for and administer federal funding.
“Roger Williams University is grateful to Senator Reed for his continued support and to the National Science Foundation for this funding that will increase research efforts for important issues to Rhode Islanders, such as developing the blue economy workforce, strengthening coastal resiliency, and innovating technology solutions,” said RWU President Ioannis N. Miaoulis. “We are looking forward to working with our partners to help make Rhode Island more competitive and drive greater research innovations between private and public entities that address the state’s challenges and meet industry needs.”
Providence College (PC) will receive $565,558, with its effort led by principal investigator Kris A. Monahan, senior director of sponsored projects and research compliance at PC. Providence College will aim its efforts on enhancing interdisciplinary and collaborative research capacity across the RIRAC collaborative as it launches its Center for Innovation and Interdisciplinary Studies (CIIS). CIIS will facilitate multifaceted teaching and research to better position the RIRAC collaborative to compete for federal and private research grants.
“We are especially grateful to Senator Reed for his ongoing support of Providence College and of Rhode Island higher education in general,” said Providence College President Fr. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. “Senator Reed has been particularly attuned to the ongoing research efforts at higher education institutions in our state, and his support for this federal National Science Foundation funding was instrumental in securing the award. Providence College is excited to participate in this interdisciplinary research collaborative. We view this effort as key in furthering the research infrastructure not only here at PC, but in partnership with our colleagues at institutions across the state.”
Rhode Island College (RIC) will receive $701,797, with its effort led by principal investigator Kimberly Bright, executive director of strategic initiatives at RIC. Rhode Island College will develop a micro-credential program in research administration for undergraduates using the evidence-based model from the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAi). Led by RIC, which became the first 4-year baccalaureate institution of higher education in RI to be designated as an Hispanic Serving Institution and a Minority Serving Institution, RIRAC will build a culturally aligned model to significantly grow Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) participation in the field of research administration – here in Rhode Island and beyond.
“Rhode Island College is proud to partner with our neighbors in higher education to build a collaborative team that can push the whole state forward. We’re thankful to Senator Reed and the entire delegation for their leadership in supporting this effort,” said Jack R. Warner, President of Rhode Island College. “With Rhode Island’s small size and high concentration of educational institutions, we have the opportunity to develop a highly effective research cluster that can compete at a national level.”
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has been awarded $505,455 to test strategies for broadening the research administration field and for supporting emerging researchers in order to encourage diverse participation across the research ecosystem. Serving as principal investigator, RISD Research Director Soul Brown will convene a community of practice of RISD faculty whose work explores BIPOC and Global South issues and organize summer institutes that will draw onto RISD’s campus leading and emerging BIPOC researchers and research administrators from around the country.
“Art and design education must nurture and value a diversity of voices, experiences and traditions, and the research we conduct must be similarly reflective of the breadth and depth of human dynamism,” said RISD President Crystal Williams. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support efforts that make research more accessible to and representative of people from historically underrepresented groups through this important grant. We are grateful to the delegation for championing this cause and the research efforts of higher education institutions in Rhode Island.”
Salve Regina University has been awarded $555,545. Salve’s efforts, led by principal investigator Joyce Botelho, the university’s senior research development officer, will focus on developing learning community programs that address the unique challenges faced by grant administrators at emerging research institutions (ERIs). This work will bring together pre-award and post-award staff to break down silos and promote a culture of shared leadership in research administration. Salve will also partner with Providence College to identify and provide access to seminars, workshops, and virtual learning opportunities for ERIs that showcase best practices in the field.
“This award is a game-changer, not only for Salve Regina and the other partners in this project, but for Rhode Island in general. It helps us build a stronger research culture and achieve the full STEM research capacity for our faculty and student to contribute to the local economy,” said Salve Regina University President Kelli J. Armstrong. “It’s exciting to be part of this program as NSF leads the charge in acknowledging the significance of schools like ours in the research landscape.” The Rhode Island Research Administration Collaborative for Emerging Research Institutions officially launches operations this fall and will share updates on its work soon.
