2431978
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Strategic use-inspired research growth and engagement (SURGE): A model for regional public universities.
The role of regional public universities (RPUs) has never been more important, given recent efforts to grow advanced manufacturing and technological innovation nationally.
This project will serve as a model for RPUs in the United States by demonstrating the potential for these institutions to excel at use-inspired research.
Use-inspired research centers on real-world problem solving.
It often engages industry and the public, embodies the mission of RPUs, and represents their context-specific promise for building the future STEM workforce.
Growing use-inspired research capacity at RPUs, especially in the industrial Midwest, will strengthen economic activity by providing the advanced technical training and industry-engaged research experiences needed to meet workforce demand for skills across many sectors (i.e., automotive, software, energy, and semiconductor).
This project investigates the impact of key investments in the professional support staff needed to build and sustain a research-active culture at a regional public institution and allow it to innovate and grow in step with the need for economic development and educational innovation in its regional setting.
The project team is focused on three long-term goals during this five-year effort to reshape research culture:
(1) Expand support and training of faculty through targeted investments in human capital in the research enterprise;
(2) Grow use-inspired research, team building, and external partnerships; and
(3) Investigate how these investments and new processes impact research culture across the institution.
This project is expected to significantly grow research expenditures over five years, expand the capacity for industry-engaged research, and dramatically expand access to hands-on research and real-world problem-solving experiences for students at a regional public university.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
The role of regional public universities (RPUs) has never been more important, given recent efforts to grow advanced manufacturing and technological innovation nationally.
This project will serve as a model for RPUs in the United States by demonstrating the potential for these institutions to excel at use-inspired research.
Use-inspired research centers on real-world problem solving.
It often engages industry and the public, embodies the mission of RPUs, and represents their context-specific promise for building the future STEM workforce.
Growing use-inspired research capacity at RPUs, especially in the industrial Midwest, will strengthen economic activity by providing the advanced technical training and industry-engaged research experiences needed to meet workforce demand for skills across many sectors (i.e., automotive, software, energy, and semiconductor).
This project investigates the impact of key investments in the professional support staff needed to build and sustain a research-active culture at a regional public institution and allow it to innovate and grow in step with the need for economic development and educational innovation in its regional setting.
The project team is focused on three long-term goals during this five-year effort to reshape research culture:
(1) Expand support and training of faculty through targeted investments in human capital in the research enterprise;
(2) Grow use-inspired research, team building, and external partnerships; and
(3) Investigate how these investments and new processes impact research culture across the institution.
This project is expected to significantly grow research expenditures over five years, expand the capacity for industry-engaged research, and dramatically expand access to hands-on research and real-world problem-solving experiences for students at a regional public university.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH PROPOSALS SPECIFIC TO "GROWING RESEARCH ACCESS FOR NATIONALLY TRANSFORMATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Flint,
Michigan
48502-1907
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 496% from $566,018 to $3,372,553.
Regents Of The University Of Michigan was awarded
Enhancing Use-Inspired Research Capacity Regional Public Universities
Project Grant 2431978
worth $3,372,553
from the NSF Office of Integrative Activities in January 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Flint Michigan United States.
The grant
has a duration of 5 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.083 Integrative Activities.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Economic Development.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 9/10/25
Period of Performance
1/1/25
Start Date
12/31/29
End Date
Funding Split
$3.4M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$3.4M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to 2431978
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2431978
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
490106 OFFICE OF INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITIES
Funding Office
490106 OFFICE OF INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITIES
Awardee UEI
L8QSLB2KCRE5
Awardee CAGE
5STD7
Performance District
MI-08
Senators
Debbie Stabenow
Gary Peters
Gary Peters
Modified: 9/10/25