Two University of Nebraska collaboration initiatives offer opportunities for University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty to address critical research areas and form cross-campus partnerships to increase competitiveness for external funding.

Faculty are urged to attend the Oct. 28 Collaboration Initiative Retreat to learn about the new System Science Collaboration Initiative and the ongoing Food for Health Collaboration Initiative. Registration is required by 5 p.m. Oct. 24.

The retreat, hosted by the University of Nebraska’s Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, is at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Drive, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The new System Science Collaboration Initiative is designed to foster teamwork among faculty in the engineering and quantitative/data science fields and faculty in other disciplines. The program is part of a systemwide effort to leverage Nebraska research strengths and increase capacity, along with the Food for Health Collaboration Initiative. The program was launched in 2015 to address societal and human health issues related to food.

Funding opportunities are available through both programs. To become eligible, principal investigators and team leads are required to attend the Oct. 28 retreat unless special dispensation is granted. Potential co-principal investigators are also encouraged to attend. Retreat participants must complete a brief project description on the registration form.

The request for applications is available on the Systems Science website. Funding opportunities include:

• Planning and Proposal General Grants, System Science only: One-year grants up to $20,000 each to build new collaborations across University of Nebraska campuses.

• Formed/Forming Team Seed Grants, System Science and Food for Health: Two-year grants up to $150,000 each to enhance research collaborations among principal investigators who have previously collaborated on modest levels.

• Team Strengthening Seed Grants, System Science and Food for Health: Two-year grants up to $300,000 each to strengthen existing research collaborations, with the goal of making faculty more competitive for significant external research funding.

Applications for the System Science and Food for Health Collaboration Initiatives must be submitted through NUgrant’s internal funding module by 5 p.m. Jan. 13.