The Office of Research and Economic Development is hosting upcoming Grand Challenges events on diversity planning Dec. 9 and ideation and team development Jan. 11-13 to build upon the series of community-building events held this semester.

“Centering your Proposal’s DEI Plan in the Diversity Science Literature” is an interactive workshop to support individuals and teams developing diversity, equity and inclusion plans for proposals with a focus on the Grand Challenges request for proposals. Registration is required for this workshop, which is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Dec. 9 in the Nebraska Union.

This will be followed by a three-day Grand Challenges Scoping Workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 11-13 in the Nebraska Union. This event will jumpstart the development of solutions to UNL’s Grand Challenges by maximizing diverse expertise and breaking the seven thematic areas into actionable problems and opportunities. Faculty will focus on sparking new ideas and fostering new teams to compete for the $40 million dedicated to this initiative by submitting a Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition proposal by the April 29, 2022 deadline. Registration is required.

Faculty are also encouraged to register their expertise and identify the grand challenge themes on which they’d like to collaborate. These entries can be viewed on the searchable interest areas gallery provided to help faculty identify prospective collaborators.

Those who have begun forming teams are asked to provide initial details to Research and Economic Development using this form. As these entries are made, they will be viewable on a teams gallery.

Research and Economic Development will treat any faculty or staff member interested in exploring potential Grand Challenges collaborations to a free coffee. Email grandchallenges@unl.edu if you would like to participate in a randomized coffee trial and be paired to meet with someone from another discipline who is also interested in working to solve the university’s Grand Challenges.