UNM concludes second cohort of FRESSH program fostering research expansion

Garnett S. Stokes, Persident - The University of New Mexico Board of Regents | University of New Mexico

By ABQ Times

May 31, 2024

The University of New Mexico concluded its 2023-2024 cohort of the Fostering Research Expansion in the Social Sciences and Humanities (FRESSH) program last month, involving 21 faculty members from 18 different departments across campus.

"After just two cohorts, The University of New Mexico's FRESSH program is now a model program other universities are looking to implement on their campuses," said Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher. "As for our researchers, my hope is that each faculty member who completes the FRESSH program walks away with the fearlessness to go after external grants to support their scholarship and a stronger sense of community with their fellow Lobos."

The FRESSH program establishes annual cohorts of faculty, staff, and postdocs with research projects in the Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities. The goal is for each participant to develop research concepts and proposals suitable for funding opportunities from federal agencies or major foundations. The program focuses on awareness and use of internal resources, targeted training for opportunity scoping, concept and proposal development, and building community around Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts research.

Faculty attended semi-monthly workshops organized by the UNM Faculty Research Development Office (FRDO) to enhance grantsmanship skills, learn more about UNM research processes and resources, and build an interdisciplinary community of practice around social sciences and humanities at UNM. Midway through the academic year, participants pitched their grant ideas to their peers for feedback. A key goal of the program is that every participant submits a proposal for extramural funding. To date, eight participants have already submitted extramural grant proposals. During the pilot cohort, 13 researchers submitted proposals; five were awarded grants totaling more than $1.7 million in external funding.

“FRDO loves FRESSH because it’s not only an opportunity to share our grantsmanship knowledge and training with faculty but also gives us the opportunity to build relationships with faculty in the social sciences, humanities, and arts and learn how we can help them be more successful,” said Hannah Torres, FRDO director.

For questions about the FRESSH program, contact Hannah Torres or Hannah Yohalem at frdo@unm.edu.

2023-2024 FRESSH Cohort:

Alexander Severson - Dept of Political Science; Inst. for Social Research A&S

Allison Nannemann - Special Education COEHS

Belinda Deneen Wallace - English Language and Literature A&S

Carlos Irizarry - Speech and Hearing Sciences A&S

Cindy Gevarter - Speech and Hearing Sciences A&S

Daniel Ragan - Sociology A&S

Eli Wilson - Sociology A&S

Eva Rodriguez-Gonzalez - Spanish and Portuguese A&S

Jennifer Tucker - Community & Regional Planning SA+P

Jessica Carey-Webb - Spanish and Portuguese A&S