Atlanta University Consortium Team Awarded $14 Million National Science Foundation Grant Focused on Transforming the Research Enterprise
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 9, 2024 – Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) announced today that the Atlanta University Consortium Team, which includes Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University, was awarded a $14 million competitive grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of its Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity (GRANTED) initiative.
AUC-GRANTED: A Collaborative Approach for Transforming the Research Enterprise through a Shared Support Model for Collective Impact and Synergistic Effect aims to expand the research support and service capacity within and across the Atlanta University Center (AUC) through activities and shared resources designed to reduce barriers to competitiveness and strengthen the research enterprise.
NSF announced a $20 million investment across eight institutions through its GRANTED initiative, transforming research support access. NSF GRANTED aims to address the systemic barriers within the nation’s research enterprise. Many of the initiatives previously funded by NSF GRANTED have had a transformative impact, particularly for emerging research and minority-serving institutions.
“This $20 million investment through NSF's GRANTED initiative reflects our commitment to breaking down barriers in research access. By strategically supporting collaborations like the Atlanta University Center, we are committed to creating a transformative hub, setting the standard for equity and diversity in the national research landscape,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “These projects underscore our dedication to empowering institutions, fostering inclusivity, and propelling the entire research ecosystem towards greater heights of excellence.”
The collaborative AUC-GRANTED project is designed to: (1) augment knowledge management and exchange of best practices by research leadership in the AUC and at other HBCUs and regional institutions; (2) enhance research development capacity to support ideation and competitive proposal development; (3) strengthen the research administration infrastructure at AUC institutions; and (4) implement an AUC-wide Office for Research and Technology Commercialization. The proposal’s overarching goal is to establish a hub that promotes equity in the national research ecosystem and serves as a model for other HBCUs and emerging research institutions (ERIs). Unlike traditional funding for scientific research or education, GRANTED focuses on strengthening the research enterprise at institutions and across the nation.
As a member of the Atlanta University Consortium Team, Morehouse School of Medicine will (1) lead several research development activities and (2) serve as the primary lead for the initiative to develop the AUC-wide Office of Research and Technology Commercialization (AUC-ORTC). Research development processes will be expanded across institutions to increase the number and competitiveness of grant proposals submitted by institutions in the consortium. The AUC-ORTC will provide training and education to researchers and students, facilitate the pursuit of patentable research innovations, and accelerate commercialization.
“This AUC-GRANTED award will significantly strengthen the research support infrastructure within the AUC. It will enable Morehouse School of Medicine and the collaborating AUC institutions to collectively expand our research development capacity and processes to support research and technology innovation. AUC-GRANTED will serve as a national model for collectively addressing transformative equity and diversity in the nations scientific research landscape” said Dr. Rick Kittles, Senior Vice President for Research at Morehouse School of Medicine.
“I congratulate Spelman College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University on securing this Federal funding. Senator Warnock and I will continue to champion Georgia’s HBCUs in the U.S. Senate,” U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff said.
For more information about GRANTED, visit https://new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/broadening-participation/granted.
About Morehouse School of Medicine
Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation's leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically-Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation's number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission — leading the creation and advancement of health equity to achieve health justice. Morehouse School of Medicine's faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. MSM is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master's degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit www.msm.edu or call 404-752-1500.
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