Appalachian State University's Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) and the Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics (RIEEE) are hosting a virtual information and brainstorming session on Friday, March 22 from 10 - 11 a.m. about the NSF Growing Convergence Research Program.
REGISTER FOR THE INFO SESSION HERE
Convergence research is a means for solving vexing research problems, in particular, complex problems focusing on societal needs or deep scientific challenges. It entails integrating knowledge, methods, and expertise from different disciplines and developing novel paradigms that catalyze scientific discovery and innovation.
GCR identifies Convergence Research as having two primary characteristics:
- Research driven by a specific and compelling problem. Convergence research is generally inspired by the need to address a specific challenge or opportunity, whether it arises from deep scientific questions or pressing societal needs.
- Deep integration across disciplines. As experts from different disciplines pursue common research challenges, their knowledge, theories, methods, data, research communities and languages become increasingly intermingled or integrated. New frameworks, paradigms or even disciplines can form sustained interactions across multiple communities.
This GCR solicitation targets multidisciplinary teams who are embracing convergence research as a means of developing highly innovative solutions to complex research problems. GCR proposals are expected to be bold and address scientific or technical challenges and bottlenecks which if resolved have the potential to transform scientific understanding and solve vexing problems. Successful GCR projects are anticipated to lead to paradigm shifting approaches within disciplines, establishment of new scientific communities, or development of transformative technologies that have the potential for broad scientific or societal impact.
The NSF is hosting an informational webinar about this program the week before the information session on Thursday, March 14 from 3-5 p.m. We encourage you to attend this session as well if you're able. The Zoom link is here and the passcode is GCR. ORI and RIEEE's session will provide a very brief overview of the program and facilitate discussions with researchers with interest in pursuing this funding opportunity.
Contact grs@appstate.edu with any questions about this information session.