Published January 8, 2018 This content is archived.
The Germination Space program provides SUNY researchers an opportunity to formulate and refine research questions. The program — a series of in-person and online interactions with interdisciplinary peers — supports researchers as they challenge traditional assumptions, explore unchartered areas and germinate high-impact, transformative research questions targeted at major societal challenges.
This experimental program explores methods for effectively generating transformative research questions that address significant societal challenges. Whether motivated by curiosity of knowledge or the pursuit of specific solutions, the questions:
The multiple-iteration and cyclical process allows Generation Space participants to formulate, reflect upon and redefine research questions.
Selected program participants will work with interdisciplinary peers in refining their own research questions, identifying and challenging fundamental assumptions and limitations within traditional disciplinary views.
Through a series of live workshops and virtual collaboration, participants will iterate through a cyclical process of question formulation and refinement. Participants must attend all on-campus sessions and complete all remote collaboration work for a given cycle. Any university, PI-eligible researcher can participate if they commit to attending all UB program (Feb. 1 - May 31) dates:
Based on the response, organizers will invite selected researchers to a series of three on-campus, ideation workshops. Between workshops, researchers will collaborate online to explore feasibility and refinement. Participation is mandatory for all three on-campus workshops.
Participants will generate and refine research questions, subsequently developing collaborative research proposals over the course of the semester and will be expected to provide white paper proposal summaries at the end of the final workshop.
UB will provide two seed funding grants — $25,000 each — on a competitive basis based on the submission of these white papers. The Office of Research Advancement will support participants with formal external proposals that leverage the seed funding within ~12 months of completing the program.
This Call for Participation (CFP) seeks researchers committed to pursuing potentially high-impact, transformative research questions that push traditional disciplinary boundaries. Participants must be willing to challenge and refine both their own research questions and those of their interdisciplinary peer groups. We encourage PI-eligible researchers from all backgrounds to apply.
A. Applicants must submit a 1-page narrative, plus cover, as described below. Documentation due by 5 PM, Jan. 26, 2018.
Cover Page – The cover page (one page) must include:
Narrative – The submitted narrative (one page) must include three sections:
Biosketch – The two-page biosketch (NSF format) must include:
B. If selected, you will be invited to take part in the Spring 2018 cycle. You must confirm participation within seven (7) days of receiving the invitation.
CFP Response Deadline: by 5 PM, Jan. 26, 2018.
Submit materials and questions (via email) to Dr. Amanda Baker at Amanda.Baker@SUNY.edu.
Commitment Deadline for invited applicants (notified no later than Feb. 9, 2018): Feb. 16, 2018.
The Germination Space is part of an experimental effort to improve idea generation and refinement, funded by the National Science Foundation (EFRI-1745897/1745891) to Drs. Grace Wang and Phillip Ortiz at SUNY System Administration and Drs. Kemper Lewis and Ryan Muldoon at the University at Buffalo. Project costs are covered by NSF.
Seed funding will be provided by the UB Office of Research and Economic Development.
UB students and non-UB staff who need access to the Click Portal can register for an account here.