Research Challenges and Opportunities - A Dean's View Sarah A. Rajala NC State Research Retreat February 23-24, 2006

Research Vision Have we decided where we want to go? Do we need a common vision? If so, how do we ensure we have a shared commitment to this common vision?

University Strategic Plan What role does research play? Are the core strategies consistent with achieving the research vision?

Research Strategic Plan Should we have a plan to support a research vision? Have we identified specific goals? Do we know how to achieve these goals? Are their hurdles that need to be overcome?

Possible Research Goals Increase in research funding per faculty member Increase in number of faculty active in research Increase in the number of PhD graduates per faculty Increase in federal research expenditures

Possible Strategies Strategic investment  Focused areas  Key research infrastructure  Key faculty hires  Quality vs. quantity in proposal submissions  Collaborative research teams

Possible Strategies 2 Faculty Investments  New hires Start-up packages Equipment – single user or shared Space Junior vs senior

Possible Strategies 3  Faculty retention Space Infrastructure upgrades Endowed positions/named professorships Bridge funding

Possible Strategies 4  Disengaged faculty Incentives Sabbaticals Infrastructure upgrades Teaming opportunities

Possible Strategies 5 Cost sharing  Required  Opportunity investments  Role of Foundation support

Possible Strategies 6 Staff support  Pre-award Budgets Proposal development Submissions  Post-award  Technical staff

Possible Strategies 7 Graduate programs  Enrollment planning Number of students MS vs. Ph.D.  TA support  Stipends  GSSP/Tuition Remission

Other Issues Role of Centennial Campus Decreasing and/or changing funding opportunities Impact of shortened delivery cycle by DoD  Review at 15 months - go or no go Anti-university bias among some agencies Cost of rental facilities Faculty overload

Summary To ensure success we must know where we are going To ensure success we must have broad buy-in Once we know where we want to go, we must define how we want to get there Some strategies may be common, others will be unique