MRSEC

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder MRSEC Education & Outreach Town Hall to take place on Thursday, March 3

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 21:09:32 +0000

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder MRSEC Education & Outreach Town Hall to take place on Thursday, March 3 Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/17/2022 - 14:09

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder MRSEC Education & Outreach Town Hall

When: Thursday, March 3, 12–2 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

In preparation for an upcoming proposal submission to the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) program, members of the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder research community—as well as potential partner organizations and collaborators—are invited to a virtual MRSEC Town Hall meeting on Thursday, March 3, 12–2 p.m.

The goal of this event is to gather valuable input on topics that include education, outreach, program evaluation, and diversity and inclusion as the university envisions the programming necessary to address NSF's Broader Impacts criterion for this proposal. Broader Impacts encompasses how the NSF-funded Centers will carry out work for the potential benefit to society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

Joining us in this important conversation are currently funded MRSEC Education Directors. We will hear about their successful programs, learn about their effective partnerships, and gain an understanding as to how their Center addresses the Broader Impacts criterion. In this meeting, we are interested in hearing about your programs, ideas and how they may align with forming effective partnerships with us.

Please join us along with your colleagues from across �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder and the region who have already expressed interest in being a part of the upcoming MRSEC proposal.

Background

NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) are a network of Centers located at academic institutions throughout the United States, funded by the National Science Foundation. In Spring 2021, �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder conducted an open campus-wide call for nominations for the next NSF MRSEC Director. Kristi Anseth has been selected as the Director and Tim White as the co-Director. With input from external reviewers and a scientific advisory committee, three Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) theme pre-proposals were down-selected in January 2022.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder MRSEC, please contact rio@colorado.edu.

The �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder research community—as well as potential partner organizations and collaborators—is invited to a virtual MRSEC Town Hall meeting on Thursday, March 3, 12–2 p.m. The goal of this event is to gather valuable input on topics that include education, outreach, program evaluation, and diversity and inclusion as the university envisions the programming necessary to address NSF's Broader Impacts criterion.

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RIO announces internal competition for NSF MRSEC IRGs

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 21:00:53 +0000

RIO announces internal competition for NSF MRSEC IRGs Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/05/2021 - 15:00

The Research & Innovation Office (RIO) has announced the internal competition details for NSF MRSEC, with the goal of identifying Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs) to move forward for submission to NSF. The deadline is November 15, 2021.

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MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ��directors outline process for Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) theme selection

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 18:45:10 +0000

MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ��directors outline process for Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) theme selection Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/13/2021 - 12:45

Colleagues,

We are pleased to lead the development of the university’s pre-proposal submission to the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) program. We believe that �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder is well-positioned both technically and geographically to be a strong contender in the upcoming competition, but we can only do this by working together.

As we will further outline at the Kickoff event, our vision for the MRSEC@CU process is to facilitate an open exchange of ideas to best position �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder to secure a MRSEC in the upcoming competition. A successful outcome will only happen if the MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ��process is truly an all-campus effort integrating the technical expertise in materials research while championing education and outreach from a leadership and team that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.

Building upon the announcement from RIO, we aim to outline our process to develop and select Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) themes:

Upcoming MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ��events and activities

Kickoff and Ideation Workshop

When: Tuesday, July 20, 2021, 3–5 p.m. (presentations and discussion); 5–6 p.m. (social)
Where: Chancellor's Hall and Auditorium (CASE Building)

This event will introduce the MRSEC process, outline our approach as director and co-director, and host an initial technical interchange that is derived from broadly defined campus strengths in soft materials, biomaterials and condensed matter.

Materials Characterization @ CU—Strengths, Needs and Wants

When: Friday, August 20, 2021, 12–2 p.m. (lunch provided)
Where: SEEC

Collision Workshops

When: Mid-to-late September 2021
Where: TBD

Informed by the Kickoff and Ideation Workshop, subsequent discussions and topic inputs, we will hold collision workshops on emerging IRG themes.

MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ��Internal Competition Deadlines

Subsequent to the events this summer and fall, IRG topics will be input via the limited submission portal:

November 15, 2021: IRG submission deadline.
- Format: Three-page IRG proposal mirroring NSF guidelines from partial or fully formed IRG teams.
January 15, 2022: IRG pre-proposals selected.
- With input from external reviewers and a scientific advisory committee, three IRG pre-proposals will be down-selected.

Thereafter, we will work with the IRG topic leads and teams to develop a compelling, integrated, and winning MRSEC pre-proposal (including another round of external review) for June 2022 submission.

We look forward to partnering with the broader materials science and engineering community on submitting a successful proposal.

Sincerely,

Kristi Anseth
Director, MRSEC@CU

Tim White
Co-Director, MRSEC@CU

Our vision for the MRSEC@CU process is to facilitate an open exchange of ideas to best position �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder to secure a MRSEC in the upcoming competition.

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NSF MRSEC directors named; ideation workshop July 20

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0000

NSF MRSEC directors named; ideation workshop July 20 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/23/2021 - 00:00

Upcoming MRSEC events and opportunities

A formal MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ��Kickoff and Ideation Workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 20 from 3–5 p.m. in the Chancellor's Hall and Auditorium, with a social hour to follow from 5–6 p.m.

After the Kickoff and Ideation Workshop takes place, the below timeframes are anticipated:

August/September: IRG topic Collision Workshops
Early October: IRG topic submission
- Accompanied by presentation and Q&A with internal/external review panel
- 3-page pre-proposal requested
October: Education and Outreach Town Hall
Mid-to-late November: IRG topic down-selection
December 2021–June 2022: Leadership team, IRG leads, and team members further refine, develop and merge MRSEC pre-proposal
- Workshops
- External review

In anticipation of the upcoming NSF call for MRSECs, the Research & Innovation Office (RIO) convened a process to engage all interested researchers in the university’s internal selection process. Following the campus-wide call for nominations, five nominees participated in 30-minute sessions with campus community, including the Associate Deans for Research and the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation. Nominees were evaluated based on presentation, academic and leadership record, vision, and commitment to broadening participation and enhancing diversity in materials science.

With directors in place, the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder MRSEC leadership team is moving swiftly to form a steering committee, solicit recommendations for Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs) and develop a range of events—such as research blitzes and/or collision events—to inform the eventual MRSEC proposal.

About Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers

NSF 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. 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.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact karen.regan@colorado.edu.

After an open campus-wide call for nominations for �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s next NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) Director, Kristi Anseth has been selected as the Director and Tim White as the co-Director.
A formal MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ��Kickoff and Ideation Workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 20 from 3–5 p.m. in the Chancellor's Hall and Auditorium.

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Nominee presentations for MRSEC director selection

Anonymous — Fri, 07 May 2021 22:19:16 +0000

Nominee presentations for MRSEC director selection Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/07/2021 - 16:19

As previously communicated, RIO is coordinating efforts to ensure �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder submits a competitive proposal to NSF’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) program. A key ingredient for success is identifying a MRSEC Director who is a national leader in the field with a demonstrated ability to work with and develop an integrated team of researchers.

Please join RIO next week for presentations by our five NSF MRSEC Director nominees (listed below).

These 30-minute sessions will consist of 15 minutes of the nominee’s prepared remarks, followed by 15 minutes for question and answer from attendees as well as previously submitted questions. Presentations should be informed by NSF's MRSEC review criteria and demonstrate the nominee’s knowledge of �鶹��Ѱ��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 center activities.

Registrants will receive a Qualtrics survey following each candidate presentation. All responses will be anonymous.

MRSEC director nominees

Nominee: Mike Toney
May 13, 9–9:30 a.m.
Nominee: Ryan Hayward
May 13, 1–1:30 p.m.
Nominee: Tim White
May 17, 1–1:30 p.m.
Nominee: Kristi Anseth
May 17, 4–4:30 p.m.
Nominee: Dan Dessau
May 18, 3–3:30 p.m.

Questions?

Please contact ltdsubs@colorado.edu.

Presentations should demonstrate the nominee’s knowledge of �鶹��Ѱ��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 center activities.

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RIO Launches NSF MRSEC Activities

Anonymous — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0000

RIO Launches NSF MRSEC Activities Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/06/2021 - 00:00

In anticipation of the upcoming NSF call for Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs), and to increase �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s 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’s internal selection process. �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder colleagues, please email the nominee’s contact information and a brief statement describing the rationale for the nomination to 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’s knowledge of �鶹��Ѱ��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’s 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 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 ltdsubs@colorado.edu.

In anticipation of the upcoming NSF call for Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs), and to increase �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s 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’s internal selection process. �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder will be limited to one pre-proposal submission.

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MRSEC

�鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder MRSEC Education & Outreach Town Hall to take place on Thursday, March 3

Background

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RIO announces internal competition for NSF MRSEC IRGs

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MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ�����directors outline process for Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) theme selection

MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ�����Internal Competition Deadlines

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NSF MRSEC directors named; ideation workshop July 20

About Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers

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Nominee presentations for MRSEC director selection

MRSEC director nominees

Questions?

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RIO Launches NSF MRSEC Activities

Background

Identifying the MRSEC Director

Selection of the MRSEC Director

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�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder MRSEC Education & Outreach Town Hall to take place on Thursday, March 3

MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ��directors outline process for Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) theme selection

MRSEC@�鶹��Ѱ��Internal Competition Deadlines