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）提高基于绩效的赠款和合同的竞争力; 2）提高研究生产力; 3）提高从大学起源的研究到北达科他州私营部门的技术转让的速度和质量，以及，4）加强北达科他州人力资源的开发。 一个三管齐下的竞争性赠款计划，旨在提高研究竞争力和生产力将进行，其中包括：1）一个项目，其中主席和院长竞争资金，以提高他们的能力，聘请高质量的教师，2）同行评审的种子赠款，为新的主要研究者，和，3）旨在提高研究生产力以及SEM领域毕业生数量的研究生增强计划。 该项目还将进行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研究活动的代表性不足的群体的成员数量。 针对代表性不足群体的夏季和学年本科生研究和辅导方案将继续和升级。 其中包括与北达科他州的部落社区学院协商设计的方案，一个针对潜在女科学家的新方案，以及另一个旨在促进从高中科学活动向本科研究方案过渡的方案。

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.