As the public’s trust in science decline, efforts to establish and enhance research and its impact on society are needed. The Rhode Island Network for Excellence in Science & Technology (RI-NEST), funded through the U.S. National Science Foundation, offers a critical platform for building the state’s research ecosystem and connecting all those in academia, industry, and community to develop use-inspired, transdisciplinary research that serves all Rhode Islanders.
On Friday, October 17 at Rhode Island College, RI-NEST will convene leaders from institutions of higher education to discuss how best to conceptualize and coordinate research and innovation that contribute to economic and societal growth in Rhode Island. Attendees will discuss how to support the State of Rhode Island in its development of a new Science and Technology Plan, including:
- Increasing investment in science and research from public and private sources.
- Integrating workforce development initiatives statewide to ensure student achievement in STEAM fields.
- Fostering deeper civic engagement with public audiences among all those participating in scientific endeavors through creative science communication and knowledge exchange.
Meeting Objectives
- Provide an overview of and discuss EPSCoR in Rhode Island by highlighting EPSCoR initiatives across the state, including the new S&T plan, which is under development
- Inspire collaboration by providing space for networking, showcasing upcoming funding opportunities, and discussing how RI-NEST can support the development of new research.
- Plan for the upcoming year by providing an overview of RI-NEST’s core activities, outlining how the research community can access these opportunities, and soliciting feedback.
- Celebrate success by highlighting new research awards (EPSCoR, Granted, STAC, RI-NEST small grants).
View Full Agenda. Registration is now closed.
Poster presenters are expected to bring their posters to the event. EPSCoR grantees who are presenting must submit 1-2 Powerpoint slides to RI-NEST Communications & Outreach Coordinator Shaun Kirby at skirby@uri.edu by Wednesday, October 8.
Year 1 Accomplishments
- Established RI-NEST Seed Grant program.
- Awarded over $450K to research projects across the state through the RI Research Alliance’s Collaborative Grants program.
- Continued Vis-a-Thon program in collaboration with RISD’s Nature Lab.
- Continued Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship under leadership of Roger Williams University
- Established new partnership with Community College of Rhode Island through Observation in Science & Art Mentorship program.
- Partnered with URI’s Metcalf Institute to create The Open Newsroom fellowship.
Reaching Out
Interested attendees can reach out to RI-NEST Project Administrator Howard J. Dooley, Jr. at hdooley@uri.edu or RI-NEST Communications & Outreach Coordinator Shaun Kirby at skirby@uri.edu for additional questions or requests to speak.
We look forward to seeing you in October!
RI NSF EPSCoR is supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation under EPSCoR Cooperative Agreements #OIA-2433276 and in part by the RI Commerce Corporation via the Science and Technology Advisory Committee [STAC]. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation, the RI Commerce Corporation, STAC, our partners or our collaborators.