Final M-TRAIN workshop focuses on sustaining and growing regional research administration

Colleges and universities across the region reached a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts to boost research administration and innovation, as Vanderbilt hosted the culminating Middle Tennessee Research Administration and Innovation Network workshop at the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt's Innovation Center.

The June 12 event was last in a series of four workshops that engaged 70 individuals from 20 institutions over the course of a year, discussing topics centered on research administration, compliance and public-private partnerships.

M-TRAIN, funded by a $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, was initiated in response to the NSF's Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity program. It was conceived by Research Development and Support within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, in collaboration with Fisk University and Tennessee State University.

"The M-TRAIN initiative represents a pivotal opportunity for all of us to collaboratively develop our research administration ecosystem and share expertise across Middle Tennessee," said Padma Raghavan, vice provost for research and innovation and chief research officer, during welcome remarks for those gathered at this final workshop of the grant.

Dina Stroud, program director for GRANTED, provided an overview and vision for the future of the NSF initiative: "Over time, GRANTED will increase access, catalyze national transformation and address systemic equity and diversity issues in the research enterprise." Stroud is no stranger to Vanderbilt's collaborative spirt; she was previously executive director of the Fisk-Vanderbilt Master's-to-Ph.D. Bridge Program.

Workshop participants focused on discussing the sustainability and growth of M-TRAIN and ideation of M-TRAIN projects. The event concluded with a discussion of next steps for the network, focusing on implementing the ideas generated during the workshop and maintaining the momentum built over the past year.

Key regional institutions took part in the workshops, including Vanderbilt, Tennessee State, Fisk, Austin Peay, Lipscomb, Trevecca Nazarene, Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, The University of the South (Sewanee), the Tennessee Board of Regents and Meharry Medical College.

The M-TRAIN participating network is poised to continue working to enhance regional research capabilities and foster equitable access to research opportunities, ensuring that the academic community in Middle Tennessee stays vibrant and inclusive.

For more information about M-TRAIN and to stay updated on future initiatives, visit the Vanderbilt Research Development and Support page.