Frontiers in Research Summits
The Division of Research (DOR) is pleased to announce a new initiative, Frontiers in Research Summits (FRS), aimed at bringing together researchers from within and outside Texas A&M University to engage in intellectual dialogue on strategic and emerging research topics.
Background and Purpose
The goals of the summits are to stimulate big ideas, catalyze interdisciplinary collaborations, and position Texas A&M University as a recognized leader in the identified strategic and emerging fields. Each summit will generate a white paper that summarizes identified research ideas, opportunities, and strategies for advancing the summit research topic. Important to this white paper is discussion of open research problems to be tackled moving forward. The whitepaper will be shared widely, including posting on a Frontiers in Research Summits dedicated webpage under the DOR website. Summits should aim to include attendees with broad range of experience across relevant disciplines, but not too many to lose focus; perhaps in the range of 100-150.
The DOR invites proposals to organize and host research summits on strategic or emerging research areas. Summit proposals which may position Texas A&M University to lead in emerging/frontier areas not already capitalized on will be given special consideration. Faculty are encouraged to think ahead of existing paradigms to what may be on the horizon, although existing strategic research areas with significant runway for further development will also be considered.
Eligibility and Requirements
- The FRS program is open to all faculty (tenured, tenure track, APT, etc.) from Texas A&M University and its branch campuses, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES).
- At least three faculty from within Texas A&M University must collaborate and submit a proposal as a summit organizing team. Proposals may include additional summit organizers. Participation of organizers from outside Texas A&M, including from academia, industry and government, is encouraged.
- Awarded organizing teams must submit a completed white paper (as outlined above) within 60 days of the completion of the summit.
Funding
Proposal teams can request up to $75,000 to host the summit at Texas A&M University, College Station. Funds from industry and other sponsors (colleges, agencies, etc.) should be solicited as well. Funds may be used to support meals, travel, and lodging for external speakers, cost of organizing the summit including venue rental, meals, reception, and other logistics. The DOR will provide logistical support for hotel negotiations, signage, and registration. It will also publicize the summit on its webpage, provide support for producing a white paper, and facilitate writing a news story on the summit. There is funding available to support several summits within a year of their approval. Scheduling of summits will be carefully planned to avoid overlap.
Proposal Submission
FRS proposals must be submitted by the organizers via the InfoReady portal. Proposals can be submitted at any time, and they will be reviewed in four batches:
Batch 1: Proposals submitted between September 1- November 30.
Batch 2: Proposals submitted between December 1 – February 28.
Batch 3: Proposals submitted between March 1- May 31.
Batch 4: Proposals submitted between June 1- August 31.
Anticipated decisions for each batch will be within 2 months of the batch deadline, with the summit scheduled within a year of award decision.
Proposal Guidelines
Proposals must include the information outlined below. Font size of text should be no smaller than 11 points. Please adhere to the guidelines.
- Summit Title: Be imaginative.
- Summit Organizers: Provide the name, affiliation, and contact information of the summit organizing committee (at least three people). In addition to at least three Texas A&M organizers, feel free to include others from outside A&M, including from industry, national labs, and government.
- Tentative List of Potential Speakers and Other Program Participants: List potential plenary and other speakers, panelists, etc., both internal and external to A&M. These may include researchers from other academic institutions, industry/private sector practitioners, thought leaders, community leaders, and policymakers.
- Summit Narrative (maximum of one page): Provide a narrative describing i) the significance of the proposed topic/issue; ii) why at Texas A&M University? iii) a draft summit agenda (program) with tentative session titles.
- Budget: Include a proposed budget table and budget justification (maximum of one page). Funds may be used to support meals, travel and lodging for external speakers, support for producing a whitepaper, and other logistics.
Anticipated Date for Award Decision and Notification
Within 2 months of the batch deadline for submission in InfoReady.
FAQs
The Texas A&M University (TAMU) Frontiers in Research Summits aim to stimulate big ideas and catalyze interdisciplinary collaborations to position TAMU as a leader in strategic emerging fields. FRS provides $75,000 to host a summits bringing together researchers within A&M, academia, industry and government in a one or two-day event that highlights the state of the art in a forward looking research area and identifies open research problems and strategies with a clear path for further development.
This opportunity is available for faculty at any level of their career or tenure status from TAMU and its branch campuses, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station. At least three TAMU faculty must collaborate as a summit organizing team,Additional participation from outside of TAMU, including industry and government, is strongly encouraged.
Funds may be used to support travel for external distinguished speakers, cost of organizing the summit, including venue rental, meals, reception, and other logistics. The Division of Research (DOR) will provide logistical support for hotel negotiations, signage, and registration. It will also publicize the summit on its webpage, provide support for producing a white paper, and facilitate writing a news story on the summit. Funds may not be used to support personnel salaries or wages.
Yes. To promote broad participation and ensure equitable access to internal funding opportunities, individuals may only serve as the lead investigator (PI) on one proposal per submission window. We strongly encourage applicants to focus their efforts on a single, well-developed submission rather than multiple concurrent proposals.
- Summit Title and prospective venue(s)
- Summit Organizers: the name affiliation, and contact information of the organizing committee (at least three people)
- Tentative List of Speakers and Program Participants
- Summit Narrative (1-page max): provide a narrative describing i) the significance of the proposed topic/issue; ii) why at Texas A&M University? Iii) a draft summit agenda (program) with tentative session titles
- Budget Justification (1-page max)
- Budget Table
Submission: Online through InfoReady anytime and reviewed after batch deadline
Within 2 months of the batch deadline for submission in InfoReady ·
- Batch 1: Proposals submitted between September 1- November 30
- Batch 2: Proposals submitted between December 1 – February 28
- Batch 3: Proposals submitted between March 1- May 31
- Batch 4: Proposals submitted between June 1- August 31
No, FRS summits must be reviewed and approved based on the communicated process. Summits should occur within 12 months of the award.
The DOR anticipates scheduling up to two FRS per academic term. Summits will be scheduled during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, with preference for Fall and Spring. Awarded teams must coordinate with the DOR to schedule their summit. This approach is designed to balance the administrative needs of the DOR with the goal of maximizing the program’s impact throughout the year.
FRS is a new program. However, a related example is the recent Texas Quantum Summit. Applicants should follow the RFP instructions.
You should schedule the summit to occur within one year (preferably within 6-9 months) of receiving the award notification.
Yes, you may serve as a Co-organizer or Co-PI on multiple proposals. The limitation for the FRS program applies only to the Lead Investigator (PI) role. An individual may only serve as the Lead PI on one proposal per submission window to promote broad participation. As long as you are not the designated Lead PI on the second proposal, your involvement as a Co-organizer is permitted and encouraged, especially as part of the organizing team beyond the required minimum of three faculty members.
The attendance range of 100–150 is a recommendation designed to ensure a diversity of experiences. Proposals suggesting a smaller (e.g., 50–75) or larger range are welcome, provided the team offers a compelling justification in the Summit Narrative. For instance, a smaller, highly focused summit targeting leading C-Suite executives and top global experts is acceptable if you explain how this focused approach will maximize impact, stimulate big ideas, and lead to a more actionable white paper.
The FRS requires the three core grant-eligible Co-PIs to be faculty. Although staff researchers cannot be one of these three, the Division of Research encourages their essential inclusion as a fourth (additional) Co-PI/Organizing Team member for summit leadership and white paper contribution, and their contributions will be fully acknowledged.
Henry Fadamiro
Associate Vice President for Research, Strategic Initiatives
Office of the Vice President for Research
henry.fadamiro@tamu.edu
Ariel Tinney
Program Manager for Internal Programs
Research Development Services
arielt@tamu.edu
Contact
Henry Fadamiro
Associate Vice President for Research, Strategic Initiatives Office of the Vice President for Research Division of Research- henry.fadamiro@tamu.edu
- (979) 845-8585