STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University will host its first ever national conference funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Feb. 7-8 in Fort Worth as part of the new NSF initiative Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity (GRANTED) program.

The NSF-funded conference is one of 25 nationwide in the first round of GRANTED awardees. Tarleton State is the only university from the initial round of awardees to host a GRANTED conference in the state of Texas.

National experts in research administration and leaders at emerging research universities will convene to discuss and develop solutions for enhancing institutional research capacity. The intended outcome is to develop a framework for a shared virtual resource center and help desk.

Dr. Rupa Iyer, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development at Tarleton State, is leading the initiative for The Texas A&M System, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Oklahoma State University, the University of Cincinnati and Emory University. Participants represent 35 research institutions and organizations across 16 states.

Attending in support of underserved populations will be representatives from 16 minority-serving institutions, including Hispanic-serving institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, a Native American-serving nontribal institution, and a tribal college.

“Together, they will be led through a challenge session by our steering committee and paneled experts to provide valuable insight into creative solutions and strategies that address the greatest identified challenges in pre-award, post-award, compliance and research development,” Dr. Iyer said.

“Shared knowledge will, in turn, serve as a foundation needed to develop a framework for a shared virtual resource center and help desk to benefit research leadership, administration and staff.”

Tarleton State will be joined by other members of The Texas A&M System and University of Texas System, as well as public universities, community colleges, and Dallas-Fort Worth entrepreneurial and economic development organizations. 

“Hosting a conference supported by NSF funding is significant on a national scope,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “The economy is driven through research and innovation, and this gathering is another step toward enhancing research in locations where it is needed the most, including rural and underserved areas.”

Out-of-state participants represent multiple R1 and R2 research universities, newly emerging research institutions, the NSF, and national institutional and professional organizations, including the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the National Organization of Research Development Professionals and the National Council of University Research Administrators.

“This is a big event for Tarleton on a national platform,” said Dr. Iyer. “This is our first national conference, and I believe the first such convening in Fort Worth. We are very pleased to have such a breadth and depth of participants from across the country.”

Tarleton State was awarded a grant of nearly $100,000 from the NSF. Investments from the NSF account for approximately 25 percent of federal support to America’s colleges and universities for basic research.

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A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.