An Update from the Office of Research: October 2024

External Awards Received

U-M Principal Investigator: Junho Hong
Project Title:  RT-LAB based distributed resources modeling and machine learning based power system protection method design
Direct Sponsor: Pohang University of Science & Technology (Postech)
Prime Sponsor (if applicable): Republic of South Korea
Total Sponsor Authorized Amount: $42,322.00

This project focuses on improving the reliability and protection of power grids by developing a system to collect and analyze data when faults occur. The goal is to create realistic fault scenarios, such as line failures or equipment breakdowns, and test how the power grid responds to these issues. By gathering detailed data from these tests, researchers aim to develop advanced algorithms that can automatically detect faults more effectively. The final step involves integrating these algorithms into a user-friendly platform, ensuring that they can be easily accessed and utilized to enhance the overall performance of the power grid.
 

U-M Principal Investigator: Hugo Casquero Penelas
Project Title:  Computationally-efficient quadratic spline discretizations for Reissner-Mindlin shells and solids
Direct Sponsor: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.,  
Total Sponsor Authorized Amount: $95,000.00

The project will develop unstructured quadratic splines to mesh both volumetric solids and surfaces. Among other engineering applications, this research can be applied to the design, analysis, and optimization of the structural parts of an automobile, with the goal of maximizing the safety of the vehicle's occupants.
 

U-M Principal Investigator: Jaerock Kwon
Project Title:  Active Inference-based Deep Learning Technology for Automatic Perception and Control of Autonomous Vehicles
Direct Sponsor: Hanyang University
Total Sponsor Authorized Amount: $49,205.00

This project will enhance the intelligence of self-driving cars by teaching them to perceive and react to their environment more like humans do. The goal is to develop vehicles that can better understand and adapt to complex driving situations, making them safer and more reliable on the road. The system will utilize advanced artificial intelligence techniques to help self-driving cars mimic human thought processes. It will be designed to constantly predict potential road scenarios. The project will also create learning algorithms that enable the car to comprehend its environment and make decisions based on its observations and experiences, similar to how humans learn from their senses and interactions with the world. This will enable the car to adapt to new situations it has not encountered before.

Announcements

UM-Dearborn Office of Research Competitive Campus Grants Accepting Applications

The fall cycle of the Office of Research Competitive Campus Grants is now open for applications, with a submission deadline Tuesday, October 15, 5:00 pm. 

Research Initiation & Development Grants (RID)
RID Grants aim to assist faculty and research staff with the development of innovative, collaborative research proposals that will advance the UM-Dearborn mission. The program supports proposals which will help place the principal investigator (PI) and the research team in a strong position to receive additional, external funding from federal agencies, foundations, and/or industry.
Budget floor: $10,000; Budget ceiling: $20,000
Guidelines & Application

UM-Dearborn Scholars Grants (SCH)
 SCH Grants support research, scholarship and creative activities in the arts. This program is intended for projects with funding needs not usually addressed by other support programs within or outside the University.
Budget floor: $6,000; Budget ceiling: $10,000
Guidelines & Application

We regret to inform you that due to budgetary constraints, we will not be able to reopen the Thematic Research Planning Grants for our FY2025 Campus Grants Fall Cycle.

Fiscal Year 2024 Research & Scholarship Productivity Data
The UM-Dearborn data below provides a brief overview of research & scholarship productivity at our campus, highlighting key metrics that reflect faculty commitment to academic excellence. The data showcases achievements in securing research and sponsored awards dollars and statistics on journal publications and conference proceedings & presentations. It illustrates the active engagement of our faculty in disseminating knowledge and contributing to their research and scholarly fields. Together, these metrics demonstrate the vitality of the UM-Dearborn research and scholarly environment.

Research and Sponsored Awards ($)

Research and Scholarship Results Dissemination

Refereed Journal Publications 

Conference Proceedings and Presentations

Research Events in September

• NEH Workshop, Program Officers Meetings
  • Wayne State University is hosting a free in-person National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant application workshop on Oct. 23, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The workshop will be conducted by Dr. Mark Silver, senior program officer in the Division of Research Programs. James Nelson, director of grants at Michigan Humanities, will also give a brief presentation on state-level grant and program opportunities. 
  • Register to attend. Space is limited, and priority for individual appointments will be given to those who submit a one-page, single-spaced project statement by Oct. 9 to [email protected]. Appointments for one-on-one meetings are in person and will be available on Oct. 23, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., and Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to mid-afternoon. To request a one-on-one meeting, please complete the registration. 
     
• Public Engagement Workshops and Community of Practice 
  • The Public Engagement and Research Impacts team is hosting a fall workshop series to support researchers in developing public engagement skills to translate their research, scholarship or creative practice for societal impact. Participants will learn about public engagement frameworks, explore how to communicate across disciplines and beyond academia, and gain tools for fostering effective and equitable partnerships.
• People and Relationships First: Oct. 10, 1 - 3 p.m.; Michigan Union, Pond Room
• Envisioning Impacts: Nov. 20, 10 a.m. - noon; Michigan Union, Pond Room
• Storytelling for Community Building: Dec. 6, 10 a.m. - noon.; Virtual

The fall community of practice will focus on research communication – especially communication of research agendas and societal impacts to broad audiences. These dynamic and hands-on sessions will give participants an opportunity to apply new communication skills by drafting and revising a pitch for an explainer or op-ed piece.

• Language and Style: October 30, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Sticky Messaging and Audience Engagement, December 11; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
   
• Learn How to Think Like a Grant Reviewer: MICHR Mock Study Section
  • Practice thinking like an NIH grant reviewer on a mock “study section.” As one of six grant reviewers, you will discuss actual twelve-page K and R grants. You will practice for the real K or R grant review process with your peers in this workshop facilitated by two faculty co-chairs who have served on real study sections.
  • Oct. 16, 3 p.m. -5:30 p.m., Virtual
• Creating Ethical Research Relationships with Minority Serving Institutions 
  • With increased emphasis from funders on such partnerships, this session will cover key topics such as the establishment and success of diverse research partnerships, the importance of equity in these relationships, and real-world challenges faced due to equitable concerns. 
  • Oct. 18, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Ann Arbor
  • Link to register

Research Resource Highlight: 

Every month, the Office of Research features a resource and/or tool that is available for researchers. This month we are featuring Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR)'s services and website.

MICHR is leading the way in building the field of translational science to extend life and reduce the impact of illness and disability. MICHR is part of a national consortium funded by the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award program.

MICHR's website is designed to help the U-M research community easily navigate MICHR’s wealth of offerings. Whether you are looking for help building or educating a team; designing, funding, and implementing a study, or disseminating results; the website will guide you to the tools, resources, and offerings you need.

Featured MICHR’s services:

• MICHR Clinical and Translational Science Pilot Award
• RD Consultations for Health-related Research Grants Collaboration Kit Workshop
• Grant Editing
• Collaboration Planning Workshop
• Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) Science Grant
• Fundamental Human Subjects Training for U-M Researchers
• Institutional Review Board (IRB) Submissions Standard Practice Guideline

Upcoming Funding Opportunities

MTRAC Life Sciences Translation Research Funding RFP 
The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) for Life Sciences Innovation Hub is a statewide program supporting translational research projects in life sciences with high commercial potential, with the ultimate goal of positively impacting human health. Innovators from all U-M schools, other institutions of higher education, non-profit research centers and Michigan hospital systems are eligible to submit projects for funding consideration.

Applicants are anticipated to be 12-24 months from a university “exit” in the form of a license into a start-up company or to an existing revenue-generating company. Technologies must at least have an invention disclosure on file with Innovation Partnerships. Apply by Oct. 10 for up to $250,000 in direct costs with cost share requirement.

The Office of Research publishes a list of selected funding opportunities, organized by college, every month on our website under Announcements. In addition, yearly grant calendars organized by subject area provided by Hanover Research are available there as well. 

Use the updated U-M Research Commons to look up internal (to U-M) funding opportunities and Limited Submission opportunities open to Dearborn researchers.

Contact the UM-Dearborn Office of Research if you would like more information about submitting a proposal to any of the programs.