The University of Michigan has launched a new program designed to establish equitable, sustainable and mutually beneficial research collaborations with minority-serving institutions.
The program aims to enhance faculty research capabilities while reinforcing the university’s role as a leader in fostering equity and excellence through strategic partnerships.
In an effort to engage with the evolving priorities of federal funders, who are increasingly emphasizing collaborations with MSIs, the initiative is committed to help faculty build meaningful relationships with MSI partners.
The program, inspired by President Santa J. Ono’s Strategy to Amplify Research and Scholarship, creates new opportunities for U-M researchers to pursue groundbreaking research.
“At the University of Michigan, we believe in the power of collaboration to propel innovative research,” said Arthur Lupia, interim vice president for research and innovation. “With the establishment of the MSI Partnerships team, we are cultivating a community that amplifies diverse perspectives and fortifies the societal impact of our research.”
A critical component of the strategy is the formation of a specialized team dedicated to serving researchers at U-M’s Dearborn, Flint and Ann Arbor campuses. This team will facilitate essential support functions, including matchmaking, responsive team building, proposal assistance and community empowerment.
“This initiative lies at the core of our vision for inclusive excellence at U-M,” said Trachette Jackson, University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, professor of mathematics in LSA and associate vice president for research-DEI initiatives.
“Through strong ties with MSIs, we are expanding the scope of research opportunities and creating a fertile environment where diversity underpins the very essence of groundbreaking research, scholarship and creative practice.”
Employing a “triple helix” approach with three strands of action — cultivate, activate and advocate — the MSI Partnerships initiative aims to invigorate research collaborations.
The cultivation phase focuses on establishing MSI relationships centered on equity in research partnerships. The activation phase leverages institutional data to spark new connections among researchers. Success will be measured by the quantity and quality of partnerships, their influence on research funding and the depth of relationships established.
“As this ambitious program nears its rollout, U-M aspires to set a standard that prioritizes opportunity creation and equitable partnerships at every stage of the research enterprise. In doing so, U-M continues to position itself at the forefront of academic innovation,” Lupia said.