EPSCoR - Advancing Science Excellence in North Dakota (ASEND)

EPSCoR将在北达科他州建立科学、工程和数学(SEM)基础设施，这将1)提高择优资助和合同的竞争力；2)提高研究生产率；3)提高从大学发起的研究向北达科他州私营部门转让技术的速度和质量；以及4)加强北达科他州人力资源的开发。将实施一项旨在提高研究竞争力和生产率的三管齐下的竞争性资助计划，其中包括：1)主席和院长竞争资金以提高他们聘用顶尖教师的能力的计划；2)为新的主要研究人员提供同行评审的种子资助；以及3)研究生增强计划，旨在提高研究效率和从SEM领域毕业的人数。该项目还将实施一个多组成部分的人力资源计划，旨在实现以下目标：1)增加北达科他州大学系统的学生参与研究的机会；2)增加参与SEM研究活动的人数不足的群体的成员数量。针对代表人数不足的群体的夏季几个月和学年的本科生研究和指导计划将继续和升级。其中包括与北达科他州部落社区学院协商设计的项目，以及一个针对潜在女性科学家的新项目，以及另一个旨在促进从高中科学活动向本科生研究项目过渡的项目。

EPSCoR will build science, engineering and mathematics (SEM) infrastructure in North Dakota that will 1) increase competitiveness for merit-based grants and contracts; 2) improve research productivity; 3) increase the rate and quality of technology transfer from university originated research to the private sector in North Dakota, and, 4) enhance the development of human resources in North Dakota. A three pronged competitive grants program designed to improve research competitiveness and productivity will be conducted that includes: 1) a program in which Chairs and Deans compete for funds to improve their ability to hire top quality faculty, 2) peer-reviewed seed grants for new principal investigators, and, 3) a graduate student enhancement program designed to increase research productivity as well as the number of graduates from SEM areas. The project will also conduct a multi-component human resources program designed to achieve the following goals: 1) increase the opportunities available for students of the North Dakota University System to participate in research; 2) increase the numbers of members of underrepresented groups involved in SEM research activities will be implemented. Undergraduate research and mentoring programs for the summer months and academic year, which target underrepresented groups, will be continued and upgraded. These include programs designed in consultation with North Dakota's Tribal Community Colleges and a new program targeting potential women scientists and another geared to facilitate the transition from high school science activities to undergraduate research programs.