The University of Nebraska–Lincoln will hold a NU FEWS Jumpstart workshop for faculty with interests related to food, energy and water, May 9-11 at the Lied Lodge and Conference Center in Nebraska City.

The NU FEWS program is a campuswide initiative designed to generate ideas for research at the nexus of food, energy and water systems.

Jumpstart is an opportunity for researchers identify novel solutions to the complex research questions posed at the NU FEWS Scoping Workshop in February. Those interested in participating in Jumpstart must complete a brief application by 5 p.m. April 15. Participation in earlier NU FEWS events is desired, but not required.

The workshop’s aim is to define the scope of food, energy and water challenges and potential UNL solutions; share expertise; adopt common language and terms; break down preconceptions; participate in breakout sessions; create innovative project concept proposals; and form research teams to develop proposals after the event.

The Office of Research and Economic Development and Knowinnovation, a NU FEWS partner, will select 40 Jumpstart participants to represent the nine UNL colleges and all faculty ranks. A strong commitment to teamwork and collaboration is another consideration.

The Office of Research and Economic Development launched the NU FEWS initiative in collaboration with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Sciences, and Engineering. It was developed in response to a new multi-agency focus area for federal funding — Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems, or INFEWS — led by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more questions about Jumpstart or NU FEWS, contact Nathan Meier, director of research strategy, at nlm@unl.edu or 402-472-3902.