MRSEC@CU directors outline process for Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) theme selection

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 ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ 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 process is to facilitate an open exchange of ideas to best position ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ to secure a MRSEC in the upcoming competition. A successful outcome will only happen if the MRSEC@CU 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 , we aim to outline our process to develop and select Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) themes:

Upcoming MRSEC@CU 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@CU 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

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