Greetings Colleagues,

A couple of different things for this week's funding opportunities e-blast. On Tuesday, Dr. Bonner forwarded an invitation from the Southwest Research Institute and the Office of Research for the “2024 Connect Research Exchange and Networking Event”.

I’m repeating the specific event details here:

Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024

Event Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Networking Time: 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Location: SwRI Archives, 6220 Culebra Building 51

Deadline to Register: February 26, 2024

Link to Registration for UTSA Participants: 

https://utsa.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5dWeLPJM7VgRL2C 

Although the funding goals specify proposals in Biomedicine and Biotechnology; Data Sciences; Smart and Secure Manufacturing; and Space Sciences and Technology, collaboration between the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and UTSA's College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) can significantly enhance the educational components of SwRI's STEM projects, creating a robust ecosystem that fosters innovation, education, and community engagement. Here are several ways through which COEHD faculty, centers, and institutes can show what we bring to the table to add valuable educational components to SwRI STEM projects:

• Curriculum Development and Educational Research: COEHD faculty can collaborate with SwRI scientists and engineers to develop cutting-edge STEM curriculum materials. These materials can be based on SwRI's ongoing research projects and tailored for different educational levels, from K-12 to higher education. This collaboration can also extend to educational research to assess the effectiveness of STEM education interventions, providing data-driven insights to refine and improve STEM education practices.
• Teacher Professional Development: The COEHD has expertise in professional development for educators, which can be leveraged to train teachers on the latest STEM content and pedagogical strategies. By equipping teachers with knowledge about current scientific discoveries and technological innovations stemming from SwRI's projects, they can inspire and better prepare students for careers in STEM fields.
• Community Outreach and Engagement: COEHD's centers and institutes can collaborate with SwRI to design and implement community outreach programs that aim to increase public interest and literacy in science and technology. These programs can include science fairs, workshops, summer camps, and family science nights, where SwRI's scientific achievements are showcased to the community in an engaging and accessible manner.
• STEM Education Research and Evaluation: The COEHD can provide expertise in the evaluation of STEM education programs and initiatives. Through collaborative research projects, both entities can assess the impact of SwRI's STEM projects on student learning outcomes, engagement, and interest in STEM careers. This collaboration can lead to the publication of joint research findings that contribute to the broader knowledge base of effective STEM education practices.
• Technology Integration in Education: SwRI's advancements in technology can be integrated into COEHD's educational technology initiatives. This can include the development of educational apps, games, and virtual reality experiences that bring SwRI's STEM projects to life for students. COEHD's expertise in instructional design and technology can ensure these tools are pedagogically sound and effective in enhancing learning.
• Internships and Mentorship Programs: Collaboration can also include the creation of internship and mentorship programs where UTSA students, especially from COEHD, gain hands-on experience by working on SwRI projects. This real-world exposure can enrich the students' academic knowledge, prepare them for STEM careers, and foster a pipeline of talented individuals who are well-versed in both the practical and educational facets of STEM fields. 
• Joint Grants and Funding Opportunities: Both SwRI and COEHD can collaborate on writing proposals for grants that fund innovative educational programs or research projects at the intersection of science, technology, and education. This partnership can open up new funding opportunities that support pioneering work in STEM education.

These examples illustrate the potential for a mutually beneficial collaboration between SwRI and UTSA's COEHD. By combining SwRI's scientific and technological expertise with COEHD's educational acumen, such collaborations can enhance STEM education, foster innovation, and have a lasting impact on students, educators, and the broader community.

Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs

Deadline:  April 16, 2024

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/16/2024-03277/applications-for-new-awards-training-program-for-federal-trio-programs

The Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs is a federal initiative designed to provide grants for the professional development of staff and leadership personnel involved in or preparing for employment in the Federal TRIO Programs. Its primary goal is to enhance the effectiveness of these programs by improving project operations, management, and the delivery of services to underserved populations. The training covers a range of topics, including reporting and evaluation methods, budget management, student needs assessment, financial aid assistance, college admissions policies, and strategies for recruiting hard-to-reach populations. Additionally, it addresses mental health support for TRIO staff, recognizing the stress factors in the workplace. Through these efforts, the program aims to improve the academic and support services provided to low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have the opportunity to succeed in postsecondary education.

This initiative aims to fund training for staff and leaders involved in Federal TRIO Programs to enhance operations. The program sets forth six absolute priorities and one invitational priority: 

• Absolute Priority 1: Enhancing reporting and evaluation to operate exemplary projects under the Federal TRIO Programs.
• Absolute Priority 2: Focusing on budget management and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Absolute Priority 3: Assessing student needs, retention, graduation strategies, and educational technology use.
• Absolute Priority 4: Aiding students in accessing financial aid and understanding college admissions policies.
• Absolute Priority 5: Strategies for reaching underserved populations, including those with disabilities, homeless or foster care backgrounds, and limited English proficiency.
• Absolute Priority 6: Project management training for new directors.

 The invitational priority supports mental health resources for TRIO project directors and staff, acknowledging workplace stress factors, including those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding of approximately $4.377 million is allocated, dependent on Congressional appropriations, with 13 anticipated awards ranging from $309,505 to $402,357 based on the addressed priority. Eligible entities include higher education institutions and other public or private non-profits.

NIJ FY24 Research and Evaluation on School Safety 

Assistance Listing Number: 16.560

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2024-171992

Step 1: Application Grants.gov Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 07, 2024

Step 2: Application JustGrants Deadline: 8:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 21, 2024

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/O-NIJ-2024-171992.pdf

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, is seeking proposals for research and evaluation projects focusing on two key areas: 1) the root causes and consequences of school violence, and 2) the impact and effectiveness of initiatives funded under the STOP School Violence Act. Special emphasis is placed on projects that involve meaningful engagement with practitioners, crime victims, individuals under criminal justice supervision, and residents of high-crime communities. Proposals are encouraged to form multidisciplinary research teams and to address diversity, discrimination, and bias in their studies. Applicants should include strong letters of support from any partnering agencies and plan for data archiving with the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD).

NIJ prioritizes proposals that offer innovative dissemination strategies, suggesting that at least 15% of the project budget should support these efforts. Projects involving multiple agencies must designate a single applicant entity, with others included as subrecipients. Funding for this solicitation comes from the FY 2024 appropriations, contingent on Congressional approval.

The solicitation aims to build on a decade of NIJ investment in understanding and mitigating school violence through rigorous evaluation of prevention and intervention strategies. It looks for studies that can provide actionable insights for reducing school violence, with a preference for research identifying changeable factors and offering solutions applicable to policy and practice. Proposals should be designed to produce practical benefits and improve school safety, with a strong foundation in collaboration with educators and community stakeholders. Evaluation components should include both outcome/impact and process evaluations, with a consideration for cost/benefit analyses where appropriate.

NIJ offers special consideration for projects involving Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and aims to advance equity and access to services for historically underserved communities. Projects should address the cultural and linguistic needs of these communities and demonstrate how the applicant's status as a population-specific organization enhances their project's implementation capability.

Please let me know if you need further information or assistance if you are thinking of applying for any of these funding opportunities. There are also several other US Department of Justice grant opportunities available (particularly from the Office on Violence Against Women) that I can discuss with you.

Thank you.

--Iwan

Mr. Iwan Notowidigdo 

Senior Grant Development Manager

The University of Texas at San Antonio

College of Education & Human Development (COEHD)

iwan.notowidigdo@utsa.edu 

Mobile: 347-231-5931