Your monthly dose of research news and inspiration
FINDINGS
Not too shabby: 5-out-of-5

Since 2016, the Office of Research has been recognizing researchers who are among the very best in capturing external research funding. And we have the list of the 47 University of Cincinnati researchers who have been recognized the past five years!

Without these individuals, UC couldn't be the leading R1 urban university that it is in our region.

Normally, we'd have a recognition ceremony to celebrate these Bearcat accomplishments, but COVID-19 threw a wrench in our event planning this year.

All the more reason to tip our hat here in Findings to the nearly 600 researchers who secured research support this year and, in particular, our Top Investigators: 35 from the College of Medicine; two each from the colleges of Arts & Sciences, Education, Criminal Justice & Human Services and Engineering & Applied Science, and one each from the College of Nursing and UC's Leather Lab.

To all of our researchers: Next Lives Here because of you. Best of luck in all of your 2021 research endeavors.
"My husband is not in a STEM field, but in another white/male-dominated field. He watched the film with me, and was greatly impacted by how not surprised I was. He eventually turned to me and said, 'This kind of stuff happens to you, doesn't it?' He now has a fire about being aware in his own professional/field and, if needed, to be part of the solution in his workplace."

This was just one of the comments we received regarding the Picture A Scientist screening and subsequent panel, which had the largest response to date of any UC Research Conversation program.

We’ll host another screening in the spring, but if anyone at UC wants to host a screening on a smaller scale—for a class or department—the Research Development team is happy to assist. Interested? Start here. 
Deadlines approaching for OoR and Sigma Xi funding opportunities 

Looking for a monetary boost for your research? We’ve got you.

Some internal award opportunities are still available through the Office of Research and the UC chapter of Sigma Xi, a national scientific research society, this year.

*NEW* OoR Major Proposal Support Program

Deadline: Jan. 28, 2021
As part of UC’s Research2030 “Invest to Advance” strategic plan, we seek to support and enhance the competitiveness of our research enterprise for major funding opportunities.

As a result, the Office of the Vice President for Research is pleased to announce the 2020-2021 inaugural Major Proposal Support Program, which provides internal and external expert support for UC faculty that are targeting major, multi-year, competitive and prestigious funding opportunities.


OoR Collaborative Research Advancement Program – Pilot Grants

Amount: $25,000
Deadline: 2-page concept paper due Feb. 3, 2021
Consistent with Office of Research goals to spur interdisciplinary research and establish new partnerships within and beyond the institution, the Collaborative Research Advancement program is meant to encourage both internal and external collaboration; enable new teams and/or new lines of research; and stimulate research that embraces intellectual diversity and addresses issues of increasing societal significance. 

Note, this has changed to a two-stage application process. First stage is the 2-page concept paper. 


Sigma Xi Student Grants-in-Aid of Research Awards

Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Jan. 22, 2021

Open to graduate students. The award includes $2,500 for travel expenses to and from a research site or to present research results at a national science or engineering meeting or for purchase of consumable research materials and supplies and/or non-standard laboratory equipment necessary to complete a specific research project. Please note, the student's advisor must be a current Sigma Xi member.

More: Download GIAR Application Form

*Sigma Xi is also accepting nominations for this year's Young Investigator Award and Outreach Award. Nominators DO NOT need to be a member of Sigma Xi. Those, too, are due Jan. 22. We know you have students or colleagues who are worthy of these honors.
Learn more: Visit the website.
Digital Futures events
What do democracy and the field of Advanced Air Mobility have in common? They are both being shaped by the digital age and UC has experts in both.

For years, UC has prioritized research related to digital technologies and advancements that play or will play a prominent role in how our world behaves, performs and creates its own standards—research that is highlighted in our Digital Futures initiative.

With experts in politics, online security, emergency management, aerial vehicles and advanced transportation, UC is a perfect host for two upcoming Digital Futures events.

Trusted Democracy in the Digital Age: Jan. 15.

This one-hour panel features a former secretary of state, the founder of Punchbowl and Facebook's director of Public Policy & Global Elections, along with an online and election security expert from UC.

Leading up to our nation’s 59th presidential inauguration and after the shocking siege last week on the U.S. Capitol, the panelists will discuss online messaging, how it can both bolster and undermine the confidence in our electoral integrity, as well as how to address such digital campaigns now and in the future. 
Impact of Advanced Air Mobility for Emergency Management: Jan. 26 and 27

The OoR is also thrilled to host this two-day event in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, featuring a keynote by Jason Kirkpatrick, the aviation program manager at USACE headquarters. The two-day agenda includes various presentations and panel discussions with experts from within and outside of UC.

Advanced Air Mobility is a rapidly developing field that aims for safe and efficient flight of highly automated aircraft for both cargo and passengers. Explore the developments in this field with our esteemed partners and experts.
This program has shown to improve your chances of getting research funding ...
Start the year off with a commitment to yourself and your work by signing up for one of these Research and Development Support Series sessions.

Jan. 21, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Learn about important processes and resources from top institutional research leaders.

Jan. 26, 10-11:30 a.m.
learn from experts where to locate information on funding, both internal and external 

Feb. 5, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Key information on the basics of budgeting, available tools and where to turn for assistance.
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COVID Update

Researchers—a reminder that UC has updated its spring semester Testing Plan. Please ensure all on-campus student researchers are tested at the start of semester to obtain their green pass allowing on-campus access to labs and other research facilities. Further, optional testing is available for any faculty or research staff as well this semester. More details are at UC’s COVID Testing page.