Michael Reksulak, Antonin Scalia Law School, received $203,306 from the National Science Foundation as part of an intergovernmental personnel agreement.
As part of the agreement, he will be responsible for long-range planning and budget development for the Convergence Accelerator, a unique R&D program (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIK3q_f8XOI). Launched in 2019, the NSF Convergence Accelerator builds upon basic research and discovery to accelerate solutions toward societal impact. Using convergence research fundamentals and integration of innovation processes, the program brings together multiple disciplines, expertise, and cross-cutting partnerships to solve national-scale societal challenges. The Convergence Accelerator’s unique program structure offers researchers and innovators the opportunity to accelerate their research toward tangible solutions that make a difference. Through an intense and hands-on journey, researchers gain skills and experiences to be used during the program and throughout one’s career.
Reksulak will collaborate with other program directors on managing an effective, timely merit review, award and declination process, and post-award management process and for effectively communicating the promise of the Convergence Accelerator program.
Additionally, Reksulak is tasked with advising the community on current and future funding opportunities, coordinating and collaborating with other programs in NSF and other federal agencies and organizations.
He is also responsible for advising and assisting the Office of Integrative Activities in the development of long-range plans that ensure that the Office’s investments are use-inspired and application-oriented, promote a convergent approach, and integrate teams including industry, academics, not-for-profits, government entities, and others.
Finally, he is tasked with collaboratively overseeing and managing the intensive education and mentorship aspects of the program parts that he coordinates as well as ensuring a focus on deliverables from those cutting-edge projects that promise to advance the frontier and contribute to the attainment of NSF’s strategic goals.
Funding for this award began in August 2021 and will end in August 2022. It can be extended for up to four years.
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