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Art: Translational Research

National Science Foundation ART Accelerating Research Translation Image

National Science Foundation Grant Number 2331409

ART: Intensifying Translation of Research in Oklahoma (InTRO)

 

The InTRO Program is led by faculty with expertise in research translation. The program convenes a cohort of graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty fellows to create a network of translation resources and activities.  

 

The application period for 2024 has closed.  Please review the deadlines in the Application Process section below.

 

The goal of this program is to create a network of translation resources and activities by combining expertise from various sources:​

  • Fundamental research from OU Trans-disciplinary Research Institutes and Centers​
  • Commercialization expertise from the Office of Innovation and Corporate Partnerships​
  • Community engagement and professional development expertise from OU Center for Faculty Excellence​
  • Translational education expertise from the OU Polytechnic Institute​
  • Research translators to help translate proof-of-concept stage ideas into prototypes​

 

The program has two opportunities for participation:​

  • Individual selection through a competitive individual application process into the “Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Academy" with two 15-week sessions.​
  • Translational Research Project (TRP) teams. (Selected teams will be part of the ART Academy)
"Crafting the Two-Page Proposal"

A workshop for potential applicants.

Date: 3/15/2024

Time: 9am - 10am

Location: Zoom information will be distributed upon registering.

 

Click here to listen to the session.

Project Team

 

Principal Investigator​

David Ebert

Co-Principal Investigator​s

Brittany Hott
Carol Silva
Clara Smith
Michael Schade
Shane Connelly

Program Manager

Zachary Chandler

Translational Research Projects (TRPs)

 

The goal of this program is to increase the scale and pace of advancing discoveries made while conducting academic research into tangible solutions that benefit the public. Applications are now open for FY 24. Please review the deadlines below.​

A TRP candidate looks to translate an innovation that emerged from prior fundamental research with a clear and existing underlying analytical and/or experimental proof of concept. Applications are open to faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and grad students.​

  • TRPs can be selected across the full spectrum of research activities supported within the lead institution.​
  • TRPs should be highly focused, with a clear defined path for tangible deliverables a timeline, and an exit strategy.​
  • TRPs should justify a path of achieving a prototype that can be demonstrated in an environment relevant to the intended usage in an accelerated manner (<2 years) as a deliverable.​

Selected teams will receive up to $100,000 in funding.

  • Teams will be encouraged to co-host academy sessions and/or serve as a mentors.​
  • TRPs will be supported for up to two years and must have a justifiable path to achieving a prototype in an accelerated manner.​
  • Team diversity, inclusivity, and workforce pipeline enhancement will be included in the review criteria.​
    • Postdoctoral researchers and graduate students are encouraged to be included as part of the team.

Applications, with a two-page proposal, are required by March 30, 2024. Two-page Proposal Template (PDF). The proposal should provide a summary of the proposed work, including defined tangible deliverables, a timeline, and an exit strategy. A Department/Committee support letter is needed that discusses how this aligns with the current/planned P&T guidelines.​

Important Dates:​

  • Proposals and Support Letter due: March 30, 2024​ at 5:00 p.m. CST
  • Winners Announced: May 15, 2024​
  • Orientation: Summer, 2024​
  • Projects Begin: Fall, 2024​

InTRO ART Academy​

 

OU's InTRO ART Academy provides graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty the opportunity to learn the societal and economic benefits of use-inspired and translational research. Nominations are now open for FY 24. Please review the deadlines below.​

The goals of this program are to:​

  • Develop institutional capacity and infrastructure for translational research activities in the short and long terms.​
  • Create and continually train new cohorts of faculty, grad students and postdoctoral researchers versed in translational research.​
  • Support a nationwide network of ‘ART Ambassadors’ who will be agents of change.​

Awardees will receive a $10,000 fellowship. ​

  • Individual Applicants​
  • Awardees will be encouraged to co-host subsequent academy sessions and/or serve as a mentor.

Academy Fellowship Nominations must be submitted by March 30, 2024. ​

Nominations should include a one-page nomination letter by the Faculty Advisor or Department of the nominee and a one-page document outlining why the nominee is interested in attending the Academy.​

Important Dates:​

  • Office Hours & Workshops: January to March, 2024​
  • Nominations due: March 30, 2024​ at 5:00 p.m. CST
  • Fellows Announced: May 30, 2024​
  • Academy Orientation: Summer, 2024​
  • Fellowships Begin: Fall, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions​

 

Will there be more Information Sessions?
Not at this time, but you can access the Information Session Recording and the Information Session Presentation to review what was presented.

Can I submit my project idea for feedback before the submission deadline?
Yes, we recommend that you attend our office hours. DISC is hosting office hours, twice weekly. Please see the previous slide for more information. 

How will our application be scored?
Please review the NSF ART Team Application Rubric (XLS).

What is the idea behind "team diversity, inclusivity, and workforce pipeline enhancement"? 

  • Diversity will vary by team, but some things to consider include diversity in experiences, if any of the team have had experience working with companies, etc. How the innovation will enhance outcomes for individuals and communities and the societal impact.
  • For inclusivity, NASA also described this as intellectual safety. Everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts – even if they might be wrong. You may want to discuss how this will be managed.
  • For workforce pipeline enhancement, inclusion of graduate students in the process, and potentially having a way to include undergraduates as appropriate.

Who is on the evaluation team?
The evaluation team will consist of members of the NSF ART leadership team, as well as Tribal representatives, Community Partners, VPRP Institute & Center Directors, and Corporate Partners.

How many TRPs and Fellowships will be awarded?
For FY 25, up to three TRPs and five fellowships will be selected.

Should I include the research that forms the foundation of this work? 
Yes, please include the research. The two-page limit does not apply to the Appendix and Bibliography sections. Additionally, you may consider including the CVs of the team members. SciENcv biosketches are acceptable.

Do we need to submit an OU Budget with our proposal?
No, you can use it as a guide, but you do not need to submit it.

How will grant funds be managed?
The Program Manager for NSF ART will work with awardees on the process  for managing and reporting funds.

How long do we have to spend the money?
Teams have up to 2 years to spend their allocation.

Are there any restrictions on how I can use my funds?
No, however, you must follow the University’s financial policies. You can use    your funds for:​ 
            Summer salary support​
            Student tuition and wages​
            Staff salary support​
            Travel and meeting expenses​
            Equipment user charges
            Data acquisition and analysis
            Consulting services​
            Publishing costs

What if I don't have access to someone who can create a proof of concept or prototype?
InTRO will have a software developer and a mechanical engineer available to support teams with creating proof of concept or prototype.

Can I use this to create a prototype to get larger federal grants?
The focus of these grants are creation of a tangible solution that can be further refined and potentially commercialized. Recipients of the grant will have access to valuable university programs aimed at providing guidance for potential commercialization. 

 

Should you have any additional questions, please email disc@ou.edu

National Science Foundation Grant Abstract​

 

Federally funded university research results in new discoveries and technologies which need additional development and support in order to be translated for broader application, use or commercialization. Many research findings never progress beyond being written up in academic journals. The Intensifying Translational Research in Oklahoma (InTRO) project will support the process of research findings being translated into processes and products for use by the public, industry, government, and others.  InTRO will also provide training for future engineers and scientists to pursue careers in translational research so that there is a sustainable pipeline of discoveries reaching the public.

InTRO will grow a translational and use-inspired research university culture, develop educational materials from an array of disciplines, and provide infrastructure for translational research projects. InTRO will increase partnerships and connections between researchers and outside collaborators that include industry, government, community organizations, tribal nations, and other outside entities. Researchers will have access to translational research skill enhancement via a new Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Academy to provide additional education and training on specific aspects of research translation.  The ART Academy program will cover research translation, partnerships and collaborations, ethics, and workforce training and development. The ART Academy will also provide funding to train graduate students and postdocs who are interested in translational research careers. There will be an InTRO Translational Research Funding (TRF) program that supports advancement of early-stage projects. Teams who are awarded TRF grants will receive funding to enable the translation of their proof-of-concept idea into a ready-for-use solution or product in under two years. InTRO will result in an inclusive and sustainable program that supports a community of diverse scholars, including students, postdocs, and faculty, who are equipped to engage in translational research. 

Key Partners​