The Grand Challenges Initiative

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln community has identified seven grand challenge thematic areas in which to focus its expertise and resources, as outlined in the N2025 Strategic Plan. Now, faculty are charged with imagining how their areas of research, scholarship, creative activity and outreach intersect with these challenges and what specific opportunities within these areas they could work across disciplines to help solve. The Chancellor’s Office and the Office of Research and Economic Development have committed $40 million over four years to invest in strategic, goal-based solutions.

Tell us about your expertise and which grand challenges you’re interested in exploring. This will enable the Office of Research and Economic Development to begin identifying and matching scholars with similar interests.

Information about the 2022-23 Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition will be released by Oct. 3.


Spring 2023 Schedule of Events

Feb. 15, 11 a.m.-noon (Virtual)

Town Hall Meeting

Office of Research and Economic Development staff will provide information about the 2022-23 request for proposals and answer questions about the proposal process.

Registration is required to receive a link.

Feb. 28, 5 p.m. Central time

Notice of Intent to Submit deadline

Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition NOIs must be submitted via the internal competitions module within NuRamp. Late proposals will not be accepted.

Review the request for proposals

March 10, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Grant Writing Seminar

Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center

The annual “Write Winning Grant Proposals” seminar will address idea development, identification of appropriate granting agencies, how to write for reviewers and strategies for presenting to reviewers. Although the content is geared toward submitting to federal agencies, the information presented is applicable to the Grand Challenges competition.

Registration is required.

April 28, 5 p.m. Central time

Proposal deadline

Review the request for proposals

Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition proposals must be submitted via the internal competitions module within NuRamp. Late proposals will not be reviewed.