News Summary
The University of South Florida has been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to launch the BUILD program, aimed at training future research administrators. This collaborative initiative involves the University of Central Florida and Florida A&M University and is designed to address the growing demand for expertise in research administration. Students will complete online courses and obtain a certificate, fostering a skilled workforce to enhance Florida’s research capabilities amidst funding challenges.
Tampa, FL – The University of South Florida (USF) has received a significant boost in its educational initiatives with a five-year grant of $3.4 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The funding is aimed at launching the program titled Bridge the Unmet Industry Learning Demands for Research Administrators (BUILD), a collaborative project involving USF, the University of Central Florida (UCF), and Florida A&M University (FAMU).
The BUILD program is designed to educate undergraduates at USF, UCF, and FAMU by requiring them to complete four online courses dedicated to research administration and research development. Furthermore, participants will develop an electronic portfolio and must successfully pass a comprehensive exam to earn a Certificate of Foundations of Research Administration and Research Development.
The intention behind the BUILD program is to establish a pipeline of qualified and skilled research administrators, addressing the evolving demands in the field. The program aims to meet the increasing needs for expertise in research administration as the landscape of funding and research evolves over time.
The NSF grant is viewed as a transformative opportunity by USF’s Research & Innovation Vice President, who highlighted the importance of this program in shaping future research leaders. The initiative is managed by USF faculty members Sandra Justice and John Johnson from the Research Development Institute, along with Joy Harris from USF Information Technology.
Students involved in BUILD will gain valuable advantages through connections with seasoned research professionals, peer support, mentoring, and collaborative learning cohorts. The programs and course materials will facilitate improved cooperation among the participating institutions in Florida, and there is potential for the initiative to set a national benchmark for virtual research education.
Justice has emphasized the commitment to enhancing the research environment through increased awareness and support networks, underscoring the significance of adequately training future research administrators to meet the needs of the evolving research landscape.
This NSF funding comes at a crucial time as Florida universities face substantial cuts to research projects and funding, largely resulting from recent federal policy adjustments. It is estimated that the total amount of federal funding lost by Florida’s universities exceeds $170 million, placing added pressure on higher education institutions to find innovative solutions to sustain their research activities.
The BUILD program aligns with USF’s broader mission to enhance its research capabilities and educational benefits to meet industry demands. By cultivating a skilled workforce in research administration, the initiative aims to bolster the state’s research ecosystem and ensure that Florida remains competitive in the field of scientific research.
In summary, the BUILD initiative funded by the NSF grant represents a proactive step towards addressing both educational deficits and a critical workforce shortage in research administration. With solid partnerships and dedicated course offerings, USF, UCF, and FAMU are poised to train the next generation of research leaders while responding to the current challenges faced by Florida’s higher education sector.
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Additional Resources
- Politico: Florida’s Universities Face Research Overhaul
- Wikipedia: University of South Florida
- Tallahassee.com: US Education Department Targets USF
- Google Search: Research Administration programs
- Florida Trend: USF Sets New Record with Research Funding
- Google Scholar: Florida research universities
- Florida Politics: USF Research Funding Reaches New Record
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Science Foundation
- USF Oracle: USF Researchers Face Uncertainty Over NIH Grant Reductions
- Google News: Florida funding cuts
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