The University of New Mexico (UNM) will host Grand Challenges Day on Friday, September 12, from 1-4 p.m. in the SUB Ballroom C. The event is designed to showcase interdisciplinary research efforts addressing various issues that affect communities both locally and globally.
A key feature of the day will be a panel discussion focused on private funding opportunities for researchers. Panelists include Assistant Vice President for Research Dave Hanson, Research Translation Officer Anne-Laure “Anlo” Schmitt-Olivier, Faculty Research Development Office Director Hannah Torres, and UNM Foundation Senior Director of Development Jim O’Brien.
“Given the uncertainty surrounding the availability of federal research funding, many researchers are seeking alternative funding sources. We hope this panel will provide the UNM research community with new ideas about how to fund their work,” Grand Challenges Senior Program Manager Tracy Wenzl said. “We’re also really excited to launch this year’s Level 1 program and introduce our six new teams to the world!”
Following the panel, six new Level 1 teams will present their plans for the upcoming year. These teams are focused on Disaster Resilience, Multilingualism Matters, Rural Perinatal Access, Safer Streets, Timescales of Biodiversity Change (Bio Time), and Trustworthy AI. Three Level 2 teams—Child Health, Just Transition to Green Energy, and Sustainable Space Research—will report on their progress after two years in the program.
The event is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. Attendees can meet team members and discuss potential partnerships. The day concludes with a social hour at Draft and Table from 4-5 p.m., open to all members of the UNM research community.
UNM’s Grand Challenges program brings together faculty, researchers, staff, and students from across the university to promote collaboration in addressing complex societal problems. The initiative provides structured support and training for research teams while enhancing UNM’s reputation as a leading research institution in New Mexico.
The Grand Challenges program was established in 2018 by UNM President Garnett Stokes with an aim to address significant issues that require cross-disciplinary cooperation for solutions that benefit society at large.
