RWU Among Institutions to Receive $8M NSF Grant Supporting Scientific Innovation, Becomes Home of Summer Research Program
As the EPSCoR Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program’s home, RWU strengthens its commitment to advancing undergraduate research and fostering collaboration among Rhode Island’s scientific community.
BRISTOL, R.I. – Roger Williams University will serve as the new home of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (RI NSF EPSCoR SURF) program and lead a STEM workforce development effort, as part of an $8 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) aimed at enhancing scientific research and technological innovation across Rhode Island.
The NSF grant establishes the Rhode Island Inclusive Network of Excellence in Science and Technology (RII-NEST), a partnership among RWU, Brown University, the Narragansett Indian Tribe, Rhode Island College, Rhode Island School of Design, and the University of Rhode Island, designed to elevate the state’s research competitiveness and workforce development. Facilitated by the NSF EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems Research Infrastructure Improvement (E-CORE RII) program, the project seeks to transform scientific findings into real-world applications by connecting academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and industry.
“Roger Williams University is committed to enhancing Rhode Island’s scientific capacity and fostering a culture of innovation across disciplines,” said Margaret Everett, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. “This partnership represents a powerful opportunity to unite the strengths of multiple institutions and build a foundation for future breakthroughs that can resonate throughout the state and beyond. We are dedicated to ensuring that the benefits of scientific progress are widely distributed, contributing to a more equitable and prosperous future for all Rhode Islanders.”
The EPSCoR SURF program has provided generations of Rhode Island university students with the funding and opportunity to continue research over summer months, enabling year-round learning opportunities. RWU has long been an active participant in this fellowship, with many undergraduates participating each year in research across biology, marine biology, mathematics, engineering, and psychology, to name some of the disciplines engaged in the program. Now as part of the RII-NEST project, Roger Williams University becomes the official hub and administrator of the EPSCoR SURF program, strengthening RWU’s status leadership in fostering undergraduate research and addressing contemporary challenges through collaborative research and statewide efforts to advance science and technology.
Jim Lemire, Adjunct Professor of Biology at RWU and the RI NSF EPSCoR Undergraduate Research Coordinator, will oversee the SURF program as well as lead the workforce development initiative aimed at retaining STEM graduates and strengthening Rhode Island’s position as a leader in the blue economy. In addition to facilitating career-building workshops on critical topics such as ethics, leadership, and graduate school admissions, Lemire will foster collaboration among summer research programs across Rhode Island and develop a sustainability plan aimed at securing externally funded scholarships and industry internships for students.
"The SURF program offers undergraduate students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on research from the outset of their academic journeys, deepening their grasp of the scientific process and imparting practical knowledge that distinguishes them in a competitive field,” Lemire said. “This empowers aspiring scientists to confront future challenges, equipping them with the skills and experiences necessary to excel in their careers."
RII-NEST will create pathways for impactful projects that enhance educational experiences and contribute to Rhode Island’s competitiveness in science and technology, with a focus on needs identified by the Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) – on which serves Koty Sharp, Associate Professor of Marine Biology and Director of RWU’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development – aligning research efforts with workforce development needs.
The initiative is structured around four central themes: administration, workforce development, partnerships, and science communication, each designed to broaden participation within Rhode Island’s research enterprise. Through seed grants and joint programming, RII-NEST will nurture a culture of innovation and inclusion, positioning the state to attract further federal funding and establish new coalitions.
RII-NEST is poised to redefine the landscape of scientific research in Rhode Island by creating a framework that connects institutions, engages communities, and cultivates the next generation of innovators. This shared vision seeks to ensure that the benefits of scientific progress are shared widely, promoting a more inclusive and prosperous future for all Rhode Islanders.