Announcements and Events

Central Plains Research Data Center (CPRDC) Virtual Training

ORCA is pleased to invite you to receive training over 4 sessions via Zoom from Central Plains Research Data Center (CPRDC) Administrators on the ResearchDataGov.org (RDC) website portal, its datasets, ways to link to other datasets and information about the disclosure process.

Session topics:

1. Feb. 27: Introduction to research, list examples, and show the ResearchDataGov.org (RDG) website portal, how to seek out datasets, and the template in which proposals will be entered. Send researchers home with an assignment to develop a sketch proposal idea. (Rough sketches welcome.)

2. March 13: The Linking process, give examples, walk through details of how to link together datasets, how to use RDG to research these linkings, and how to write up the documents needed regarding this for the proposal.

3. March 27: Explanation of disclosure process, how these can be managed. Go through GASPs and noise injection. Give a sketch of disclosure requirements and show how to prepare the relevant section of the proposal. Also, a mention of benefits with the caveat this section is best developed in conference with an administrator.

4. April 3: A final summation of how to assemble and submit the proposal. The main objective of this session is to do a more detailed Q&A. Any draft sent to me 48 hours in advance I'll be prepared to discuss in detail.

To Register via Bridge for the 4, 1-Hour Zoom webinars:

Feb. 27th 11:30-12:30 https://nebraska.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/ca8d8c06/sessions/6771/enroll

March 13th 11:30-12:30 https://nebraska.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/ca8d8c06/sessions/6772/enroll

March 27th 11:30-12:30 https://nebraska.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/ca8d8c06/sessions/6773/enroll

April 3rd 11:30-12:30 https://nebraska.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/ca8d8c06/sessions/6774/enroll

Resources and Programs for NIH Applicants

NIH has a vested interest in receiving proposals from a wide range of investigators, from a wide range of applicant institutions. However, data on funding of research project grants (RPGs) and a recent analysis done by CSR on applicant institutions for National Research Service Award (NRSA) fellowship applications indicate some disparities among institutions in terms of funding and application rates.

To assist investigators/institutions that are submitting fewer applications, the NIH has developed this resource to help clarify the process, highlighting institution- and investigator-specific information, including key actions that must be taken well in advance of application submission. The aim is to make the process easier for those with relatively less experience submitting NIH grant applications and the broader research community.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Offices

Apply to become a DARPA Innovation Fellow

Fellows will push the limits of existing technology through the rapid exploration of a high-volume of promising new ideas under DARPA’s Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) program. These projects are focused on answering high risk/high reward “what if?” questions and assessing the impact of further investment.

Fellows will also have the opportunity to hang out with and learn from DARPA program managers as well as the university, industry, and non-profit performers who perform DARPA-funded research. Being a DARPA Innovation Fellow is a great way to begin a career in the sciences. DARPA Innovation Fellows have the opportunity to make extensive connections across an extraordinarily rich, technologically focused network.

The fellowship is an in-person salaried position at DARPA in Arlington, Virginia. To submit your resume for consideration or to ask questions about the fellowship program, email fellowship@darpa.mil.

UNL's Bureau of Sociological Research (BOSR) Services Available

BOSR’s services include, but are not limited to: collecting survey data, assisting with study recruitment; planning and conducting focus groups or in-depth interviews; transcription of audio recordings; data entry; providing reports from collected data. BOSR also helps with data collection for program evaluations that are often required with external funding. In addition to full-scale data collection, BOSR can help early in the research process by providing methodological consultation, program evaluation planning, budgeting, and cost-effective ways to collect pilot data. These early research efforts can improve the quality and competitiveness of proposals for external funding.

To learn more about BOSR’s services, please check out the website at https://bosr.unl.edu/. You can also contact bosr@unl.edu with any questions.

VR/AR Association Membership Provides Weekly Online Presentations, Meetings with Discussions

The VR/AR Association (VRARA) is an international organization designed to foster collaboration between spatial computing solution providers and end-users that accelerates growth, fosters research and education, helps develop industry best practices, connects member organizations and promotes the services of member companies. Learn more about membership here.