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BRISTOL, R.I. – Five higher education institutions in Rhode Island have received $3 million in National Science Foundation (NSF) funding to launch the Rhode Island Research Administration Collaborative (RIRAC). Through this first-of-its-kind initiative in Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, Providence College, Rhode Island College, Rhode Island School of Design, and Salve Regina University will expand their capacity to contribute to the state’s continued growth and leadership in research driven by its universities and colleges.

The NSF grant will provide funding over three years to the collaborating partners, all of which are primarily undergraduate institutions.

The partnering institutions aim to build capacity for advancing research by strengthening financial and administrative support for university sponsored-research offices, broadening the pipeline of future professionals, providing professional development to small non-profits, developing projects and research that address statewide needs, and facilitating the ability to bring academic research to the market. RIRAC will establish a research administration learning community that shares evidence-based practices and resources and will seek to identify collaborative research proposals among the partner institutions.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed supported the institutions’ proposal to the NSF GRANTED program.

“This is a big win for Rhode Island and a testament to the innovative research being done by this consortium of Ocean State colleges and universities. Rhode Island’s research ecosystem and capabilities will be strengthened by this federal investment. RIRAC will support interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research among students and faculty from various colleges and universities that will lead to future breakthroughs in many fields. Importantly, this project will also inform NSF about new and diverse ways to work with smaller and primarily-undergraduate institutes of higher education,” said Sen. Reed.

The RIRAC initiative is being led through Roger Williams University by principal investigator Peter Wong, director of research and sponsored programs at 91��������. 91�������� will receive $614,727 to aim its efforts at developing a framework for technology transfer that benefits all partner institutions. 91�������� will also spearhead the development of grant administration mini courses designed to help small nonprofits in Rhode Island to compete for and administer federal funding.

“Roger Williams University is grateful to Senator Reed for his continued support and to the National Science Foundation for this funding that will increase research efforts for important issues to Rhode Islanders, such as developing the blue economy workforce, strengthening coastal resiliency, and innovating technology solutions,” said 91�������� President Ioannis N. Miaoulis. “We are looking forward to working with our partners to help make Rhode Island more competitive and drive greater research innovations between private and public entities that address the state’s challenges and meet industry needs.”

The Rhode Island Research Administration Collaborative for Emerging Research Institutions officially launches operations this fall and will share updates on its work soon.