MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF RESEARCH |
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On October 2, we welcomed Dr. Susan Renoe, Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Missouri-Columbia, for an engaging discussion with department chairs, deans, associate deans for research, and directors about building a strong culture of research. Dr. Renoe challenged us to think about the conditions that make discovery possible: aligning our strengths with emerging opportunities, creating intentional pathways for collaboration, approaching research growth as a strategic, collective endeavor, and celebrating the small steps toward larger research goals. I really enjoyed this workshop and the high level of engagement of our faculty. In thinking about how we can immediately put some of this inspiration to use, I am happy to share four strategic investments with you.
First, we are investing in UMSL arts and humanities faculty by contracting with Humanities Solutions to grow UMSL humanities funding and research. Second, we are
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| Christopher D. Spilling, Ph.D. Interim Chancellor,
Vice Chancellor for Research, Economic and Community Development
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contracting with Command Strategies to position faculty in STEM, clinical, behavioral, and social science disciplines to compete for Department of War funding. Related to this effort, we will leverage our associate membership in the Oak Ridge Associated Universities Consortium to grow partnerships and take advantage of the benefits that this membership provides. Finally, we will partner with the MU Connector to offer a team science training workshop in February. In my role as Interim Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Research, I encourage you to participate and engage fully in these opportunities as we work together to grow UMSL’s research funding and impact.
You can register in the events section below. Reach out to Cynthia Jobe, Director, Research Development at with questions or for more information.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & EVENTS |
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Nonfinito Exhibition and Reception
Nov 5, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Gallery 210, UMSL Fine Arts Building
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Exhibition featuring senior Graphic Design and Studio Art students showcasing their mid-year review of their capstone projects.
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Register Now for Spring Training Workshops!
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Humanities Solutions
Jan 29, 2027 & Feb 5, 2027, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
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Understand the current humanities funding ecosystem, collaborating, and competing for funding. Faculty that participate in both workshops will have access to the trainer for proposal consults and reviews for 60 days post training.
Register to participate here
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Command Strategies Defense Funding
Jan 22, Feb 5, Feb 19, Mar 5, Mar 19, Apr 9, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
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Understand the defense funding ecosystem, mission-focused agencies, rules of engagement, quad charts, white papers, the Heilmeier Catechism, funding mechanisms, and partnering with industry, field days and other engagement mechanisms. Faculty should attend all sessions.
Register to participate here
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Team Science Event
Feb 12, 2027, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Ed Collabitat
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In partnership with the MU Connector, we are offering a team science workshop on Feb 12. Open to faculty interested in building interdisciplinary teams, looking for collaborators, and existing teams wishing to enhance their effectiveness.
Register to participate here
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Dr. Trilce Encarnación, Assistant Professor in Supply Chain and Analytics, discusses her research on how donations can complicate disaster response and explores alternative ways to support affected communities more effectively.
Special thanks to the investigators who participated in this series and to Derek Holtman, MarCom and Mary Nguyen, ORECD for producing these videos.
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From Clinical Practice to Community Action: Rethinking Empowerment |
What if the same techniques social workers use to help individuals make positive changes could also help entire communities? That's the question driving the research of Dr. Michael Gearhart, assistant professor in the Department of Social Work.
Michael's work focuses on community empowerment, collective action, and public safety, with the goal of helping communities gain greater influence over the decisions that affect them.
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A central question emerging from his work is how communities can move beyond relying on a handful of leaders and instead foster broad participation and collective action. To explore this, Michael is adapting clinical interventions that promote motivation and readiness for change and examining how community organizers can use these approaches to strengthen engagement and mobilization.
Michael has a diverse set of interests and hobbies. He once coached championship rugby, leading Brunswick High School to two state titles in five years, and played rugby at "The" Ohio State University. These days he spends most of his time playing with his daughter, making up songs about her, cooking, woodworking, reading, and playing games including Warhammer 40K.
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Congratulations to all grant recipients!
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UMSL Mid-Career Research & Creative Works Seed Grants
Deadline: Nov 30, 2026, 5:00 PM
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Funding to support research and creative works with high potential for scholarly, creative, or societal impact and that will lead to larger external awards.
Apply in
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Up to $1,500 in funding for local community engagement initiatives with a global focus.
For more information, contact Patricia Zahn at zahnp@umsl.edu.
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New methods, prototypes, strategic approaches to content building and knowledge dissemination, capacity building. Supports campus-community partnerships that have the potential to strengthen civic engagement and to build public trust in institutions of higher education.
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AI projects that serve people in resource-constrained regions, people with disabilities, and other communities that big, mainstream tech tends to overlook.
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Seedlings to scale grants, transformative research in Special Education.
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Multiple funding opportunities and deadlines
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Multiple funding opportunities and deadlines
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Serving on review panels is one of the best ways to improve grantsmanship skills and understand the review process.
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FUNDING AGENCY & ORECD ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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The National Science Foundation relaunched its Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (NSF SBIR/STTR) programs with $250 million for the nation's startups and small businesses, including a new $40 million pilot emphasis area targeting the next generation of scientific instrumentation. The programs will support technologies that open entirely new fields of discovery, including novel experimental platforms and advanced scientific equipment.
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Unlock New Research Opportunities Through UMSL’s ORAU Membership
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Annual Conflict of Interest Disclosures Due Nov 9, 2026
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The annual submission of a disclosure is required, even if an employee has no outside interests to disclose or no updates to their disclosure. Conflict of Interest disclosures should be submitted in eCompliance. More information and submission guides can be found on the Conflict of Interest website.
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Developed by former DARPA director, George Heilmeier, the catechism is a set of eight questions to help reviewers evaluate research proposals. The questions get at the heart of what a competitive proposal should address.
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A Guide to the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research: Fourth Edition
Designed to help graduate students and early career researchers navigate the complex and evolving research landscape, while providing a framework for responsible research practices for the entire scientific community.
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