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The University of Maine’s Experimental Program for Competitive Research — EPSCoR — has received a $20 million from the National Science Foundation grant for the proposed Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI). The five-year initiative will improve the science and practice of sustainability development, create collaborative partnerships across the state and provide support for 200 to 300 jobs.
“It’s exciting that we have this opportunity,” said Vicki Nemeth, director of UMaine’s EPSCoR.
EPSCoR is a federal program that funds innovative research in states that would not otherwise be able to conduct such work with state funding alone. The UMaine EPSCoR office is responsible for the administration and implementation of the National Science Foundation grant in Maine.
An additional $10 million will supplement the grant during the next five years. Additional funding includes $1 million per year from the Maine Economic Improvement Fund and $1 million per year from “in-kind” support — faculty salaries and use of research facilities. The 200 to 300 jobs supported by the grant and initiative will primarily be in the research sector, allowing UMaine to attract undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctorates and faculty.
The Sustainability Solutions Initiative is one of the six “multi-institutional, interdisciplinary proposals” selected by the National Science Foundation, after merit review for the grant, said National Science Foundation Public Affairs Specialist Maria Zacharias.
She described the initiative as “really cutting edge,” and applauded EPSCoR for “making sure that there’s competition for federal [research] dollars.”
Three years ago when David Hart, director of the Senator George J. Mitchell Center and research director for the initiative, first took his position at the Mitchell Center — the headquarter of the initiative’s research portion — the proposal was still in its formative stages.
“[Three years ago] we were focusing quite a bit on how to grow to make [SSI] work,” Hart said.
“It’s the knowledge to action part, the key piece that’s been missing,” Nemeth said, speaking of a problem-solving style that characterizes SSI.
Translating knowledge into action is a part of what makes the initiative unique in their approach toward long-term ecological, economic and social problems. Collaboration with partners, stakeholders and students is the complementary part to the initiative’s problem-solving strategy. One of the initiative’s goals is to reshape Maine through the study of urbanization, forest ecosystem management and climate change.
“We’re helping to lead a big group of people,” Hart said. “We think teamwork will be key to the success of SSI … engineers with people from economics … that kind of partnership.”
Partners and stakeholders range from Colby College to DeLorme, Inc.
In addition to collaborating with other colleges and universities in Maine, Nemeth points out cross-cutting aspects of the initiative — like the need for science, technology, engineering and mathematics emphasis in education, cyber infrastructure and work development. Those involved with the initiative are hopeful for the future development and continued involvement of Maine in sustainability issues. Hart agrees and wants to see the people of Maine recognize the value of the initiative’s approach to long-term problems — even after the initiative’s five years conclude.
Hart stressed the project’s magnitude.
“This is the biggest sustainable science grant given out. It puts Maine in the spotlight about one of the most challenging problems facing the planet,” Hart said.
Bangor Daily News