E-CORE
Optimizing Research Infrastructure on Guam
The E-CORE RII project, “Optimizing Research Infrastructure on Guam (ORIG)”, will build sustainable networks within Guam’s research ecosystem that promote and support development of competitive scientific research aligned with jurisdictional and national priorities, and develop higher education STEM pathways through collaborations between academic and primary partners, the University of Guam (UOG) and Guam Community College (GCC), and territorial (Government of Guam) and federal agencies, and the private sector.
Increasing capacity for conducting scientific research and connecting the research enterprise to higher education pathways to build a STEM-prepared workforce will be key to economic diversification and a STEM-based economy for Guam, priorities identified in Guam’s Science and Technology Economic Diversification plan (S&T Plan).
The University of Guam, in collaboration with Guam Community College, was awarded up to $8 million to strengthen and expand Guam’s research ecosystem, supporting jurisdictional priorities aimed at economic diversification through STEM research and training. This four-year grant was awarded by the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), and aims to build on the infrastructure developed during the previous five-year, $20 million Guam EPSCoR grant project, Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium for Corals and Oceans (GECCO).
Vision
The vision of the Guam E-CORE RII project, “Optimizing Research Infrastructure on Guam (ORIG)”, is a robust Guam research ecosystem that benefits the economy and livelihoods.
Mission
ORIG will build networks among federal, territorial, and higher education institutions that grow, strengthen and sustain research and STEM capacity in Guam's research ecosystem.
Vision
The vision of the Guam E-CORE RII project, “Optimizing Research Infrastructure on Guam (ORIG)”, is a robust Guam research ecosystem that benefits the economy and livelihoods.
Mission
ORIG will build networks among federal, territorial, and higher education institutions that grow, strengthen and sustain research and STEM capacity in Guam's research ecosystem.
E-CORE Project Cores & Goals
Administrative Core
Increase Guam’s competitiveness and effectively manage ecosystem growth
Research Support Core
Support facilities and infrastructure improvements
Higher Education Pathways Core
Develop STEM pathways to broaden participation
Academic Infrastructure and Research Facilities Core
Support facilities and infrastructure improvements
Initiatives and Actions
AC-1 / RSC-1.2 / AIRFC1,3
- Support project administration
- Facilitate collaborations
- Identify funding opportunities
AC-2.3 / RSC-3
- Identify emerging opportunities
- Update data captured in S&T Plan
- Revise and disseminate S&T Plan
AC-4,5 / AIRFC-1,3 / HEC-3
- Connect researchers & institutions
- Increase number of proposals
- Track growing researcher network
AC-7
- Accelerate proof-of-concept phase
- Support early career researchers
- Increase research competitiveness
HEC-1,2,3
- Foster pathways from GCC to UOG
- Create STEM research experiences
- Provide mentorship for students
Outcomes
- Expanded collaborative networks
- Increased number of funding proposals
- Improved facilities and infrastructure
- Increased number of students from GCC continue into UOG STEM programs
Research Ecosystem Assessment and Strategic Planning
In partnership with Guam’s Science and Technology Steering Committee (STSC) and other stakeholders in Guam’s research ecosystem, ORIG will engage in workshops and strategic planning activities to:
- Assess the current state of the jurisdictional research enterprise
- Identify areas and opportunities for growth
- Develop partnerships within and beyond the jurisdiction
- Seek funding opportunities to strengthen capacity for scientific research.
Research Support, Funding, and Workforce Development
ORIG will provide project development, management and administrative support for other NSF investments in the jurisdiction, acting as a grant clearinghouse for Guam’s research ecosystem. Seed funding awards to researchers in the ecosystem, in particular early career researchers, will be employed strategically to accelerate innovation and increase Guam’s competitiveness. ORIG will provide students with research experiences in STEM fields and use a mentorship program to develop Guam’s STEM-ready workforce to engage with economic opportunities identified by Guam’s STSC. These activities will be conducted collaboratively by UOG and GCC, strengthening pathways from 2-year to 4-year institutions in the jurisdiction.
Primary Project Partners
UOG as Lead Institution
The University of Guam (UOG) serves as the lead partner for this E-CORE RII project, leveraging its established research and education infrastructure to strengthen Guam’s STEM and workforce capacity. As a primarily undergraduate institution with a growing research portfolio, managing NSF and federal awards, UOG provides the institutional foundation for integrating basic and applied research with higher education in Guam.
GCC as a Partner in Workforce and Research Development
The collaboration with Guam Community College (GCC), an institution of higher education dedicated to technical and workforce development in Guam, ensures that the impact of student research experiences and workforce development activities fostered by this E-CORE RII project will have lasting impacts. Through existing articulation agreements and 2+2 programs, and mentorship models implemented through this project, the UOG / GCC partnership creates bridges from two-year to four-year degrees and embeds undergraduate research experiences into student learning.
Expanding Guam’s Research Ecosystem
Together, UOG and GCC, working in synergy with stakeholder communities represented by the STSC, will expand Guam’s research ecosystem, diversify its STEM workforce, and advance science and technology initiatives that align with the jurisdiction’s strategic priorities. With an emphasis in career and technical education, research opportunities for GCC students in partnership with UOG have been rare, a gap this project specifically addresses. The UOG / GCC partnership in this E-CORE RII project increases opportunities for students at GCC to engage in meaningful research with UOG faculty and students to prepare them for eventual transfer. Research opportunities for GCC students with UOG align with course articulation agreements that have already been established over the years between the two institutions.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. OIA-2438132
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
