About TRANSFORM
Boise State is honored to be one of eighteen academic institutions in the nation to be selected to participate in the National Science Foundation’s new Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program. Led by Dr. Brian Wampler, President’s Professor of Public Scholarship and Engagement, this four-year, $6 million grant will allow Boise State’s “TRANSFORM” project to expand support for translational research across the university, impacting the region and nation.
A Message from Dr. Tromp
President Marlene Tromp explains what TRANSFORM means for Boise State, the community, the state and beyond. Video has closed captions and a transcript is provided at the end of this page.
What is Translational Research?
Translational research (TR) is an umbrella term used to describe the process of moving (translating) research discoveries from universities out into the communities they serve. The NSF, through the ART program, “seeks to increase the scale and pace of advancing discoveries made while conducting academic research into tangible solutions that benefit the public.”
TRANSFORM Theory of Change
Current Ecosystem Maturity
- Changes in Culture: Comprised of diverse expertise and with vetted decision-making processes
- Market-Oriented TR: Sustainable ecosystem where investors, startups and researchers are well connected; Engaged OTT
- Community-Engaged TR: Sustainable ecosystem-governments, NGOs, and researchers are well connected
- Workforce Development: Educational and training materials prepare postdocs and graduate students for non-academic jobs
- Expanding Networks: New partnerships, new companies, new investors
TRANSFORM Objectives
Boise State will capitalize on emerging momentum in two tracks that are poised for growth and investment: market-oriented and community-engaged TR. TRANSFORM will strategically invest in the overarching infrastructure, processes, and policies that serve to increase institutional efficiencies, create a culture of faculty engagement, and generate a more diverse range of partners. We will update our institutions to make them more responsive to TR by carrying out the following six objectives:
- Develop administrative, data, communication, and collaboration infrastructure
- Deliver professional and mentoring development opportunities
- Establish an entrepreneurship ecosystem
- Strengthen collaborative relationships with community partners
- Build out the Office of Technology Transfer
- Revise university-level promotion and tenure policies
Video Transcript – National Science Foundation Award
(upbeat music)
[Dr. Marlene Tromp, President, Boise State University] Thank you for joining us today to learn more about this engaging, transformational effort. The National Science Foundation awarded us $6 million to build capacity to advance discoveries and rapidly apply them for public benefit. We seek to create and maintain a thriving, sustainable, and innovative translational research ecosystem, one that makes us ever more responsive to the economic and societal needs of Idaho, our region and our nation. This is core to our mission. We recently received a Carnegie Community Engaged University designation. We partner with more than 100 businesses and organizations and serve hundreds more. We are investing in people and developing processes to deepen these relationships. Thank you for your incredible dedication to our students and our communities. I look forward to celebrating our successes with you.
(upbeat music fades)