Research in All Its Forms

Objective B1.1. Equip Charlotte to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape of research in all its forms, including scholarly inquiry, discovery, innovation, creative
activity and community engagement.⁹

• Action B1.1.1. Align with global research trends to establish preeminence in the basic sciences, creative inquiry and frontier disciplines.
• Action B1.1.2. Cultivate an all-encompassing funding model that targets the full range of federal and state agencies, philanthropic donors and entrepreneurial partners to advance the full continuum of research, from foundational inquiry and large-scale initiatives.
• Action B1.1.3. Develop state-of-the-art research laboratories, specialized library resources and creative spaces through agile facility management and streamlined infrastructure upgrades to support advanced inquiry.

Objective B1.2. Situate Charlotte for success in the competition for large-scale, transformative grants in new and frontier fields.

• Action B1.2.1. Attain complex, large-scale awards from diverse funding sources by leveraging nationally recognized centers and increasing the visibility of high-impact scholarly venues, exhibitions and publications.
• Action B1.2.2. Expand a talent pipeline dedicated to advancing the full spectrum of artificial intelligence and its responsible use, advanced materials and other frontier fields, in line with Charlotte’s signature research strengths.¹⁰
• Action B1.2.3. Construct a robust portfolio of research in areas critical to national security by developing and recruiting highly qualified faculty and optimizing the infrastructure, processes and tenure-and-promotion frameworks for such work.

Objective B1.3. Enhance University infrastructure (including shared equipment and facilities) for research, scholarship and creative discovery.

• Action B1.3.1. Plan for continuous updating of existing research facilities to support current needs and future priorities.
• Action B1.3.2. Align investments in equipment, instrumentation and library resources and services with research priorities, regional industry needs and future-oriented opportunities.

Objective B2.1. Amplify the scholarly presence of Charlotte research in all its forms.

• Action B2.1.1. Showcase the value of Charlotte’s research, innovation and creative discovery through high-impact, peer-reviewed activities, artifacts and regional and global collaborations.
• Action B2.1.2. Propel Charlotte-based innovation, translational research, entrepreneurship and creative discovery by developing, commercializing and licensing intellectual property that benefits innovators and society.
• Action B2.1.3. Engage regional industry, civic and creative leaders as professors of practice to ground curricula, mentoring and research in real-world applications..

Objective B2.2. Solidify signature research strengths by advancing across disciplinary boundaries.

• Action B2.2.1. Refine and sharpen research strengths across programs, centers and innovation hubs, through the integration of artificial intelligence and frontier technologies,by providing a clear framework to guide investment and collaboration.
• Action B2.2.2. Stimulate creative, interdisciplinary, team‐based and community‐engaged research supported by recognition in review, promotion and tenure processes.

Objective B3.1. Create a collaborative research community that inspires excellence across all research types.

• Action B3.1.1. Steward a research culture grounded in integrity, mutual respect and methodological diversity, utilizing collaborative initiatives to address grand challenges through civic engagement.
• Action B3.1.2. Incubate a passion for discovery to launch the next generation of creators, scholars and innovators by expanding opportunities for student participation in creative inquiry, peer-reviewed publications and innovations.
• Action B3.1.3. Coordinate academic units and research administration to provide seamless support and transparent visibility for faculty research, creative projects and collaborations.

Objective B3.2. Reinforce postdoctoral recruitment, support and career preparation.

• Action B3.2.1. Establish a unified framework for postdoctoral recruitment, mentoring and access to campus-wide professional resources.
• Action B3.2.2. Deliver comprehensive, individualized support that equips postdoctoral fellows for advanced academic, professional and leadership trajectories.

Objective B4.1. Optimize the University’s grant and contract portfolio.

• Action B4.1.1. Maximize research capacity by increasing the number of non-faculty research staff with terminal degrees, including specialized personnel and infrastructure necessary to support restricted and classified research.¹¹
• Action B4.1.2. Update research, business and academic systems to deliver seamless, transparent and high-quality support for projects and faculty initiatives.

Objective B4.2. Provide a robust, state-of-the-art environment for financial and research compliance, integrity, safety and security.

• Action B4.2.1. Safeguard the research enterprise by designing efficient contingency and succession plans that anticipate and absorb financial, organizational and external volatility.
• Action B4.2.2. Integrate research compliance, integrity, safety and security, including restricted or classified research, through coordinated leadership and training.
• Action B4.2.3. Confirm financial compliance for all funded projects through sufficient personnel, systems and institutional resources.

⁸ Sections of this plan’s Areas B, C and D align with Charlotte’s university-wide research strategic plan, which sets a research vision for the entire campus community and builds on the original Shaping What’s Next: UNC Charlotte Strategic Plan 2021-2032 (SWN). The collaborative 16-month effort incorporated input from nearly 4,000 members of the campus community and external partners. Serving as the University’s research strategic plan, the RSWN strategic objectives for building a world-class research university are incorporated into this University’s strategic plan, ensuring clarity of alignment and detailed implementation actions beyond what is available in this university-level plan. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. (2022). The Division of Research, UNC Charlotte’s ResearchStrategic Plan 2022-2032 (RSWN). https://research.charlotte.edu/unc-charlotte-research-strategic-plan/

⁹ Research is fundamental to Charlotte’s mission: “We value research in all its forms, including scholarly inquiry, discovery, exploration, innovation, entrepreneurship, creative activities, community engagement and/or interdisciplinary endeavors.” The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. (n.d.). The Division of Research,Research Shaping What’s Next: UNC Charlotte’s Research Strategic Plan 2022-2032 (RSWN): Glossary. https://
research.charlotte.edu/unc-charlotte-research-strategic-plan/

¹⁰ Signature Research Strengths are broad thematic pillars in which Charlotte has already achieved national distinction and seeks to accelerate them. Evolving from several prior designations, these fields are prioritized for strategic investment and resource allocation to accelerate our ascent toward the highest ranks of public research universities. While departments and colleges may adapt these definitions to fit their specific disciplines, these “signature” designations remain dynamic — evolving alongside faculty expertise, grant success and scholarly impact.

¹¹ Restricted research involves research with limitations affecting participation, data access and dissemination of findings. Classified research is the research restricted to facilities and individuals with U.S. government security clearances.