Common use of Overarching Goal Clause in Contracts

Overarching Goal. The goal of North Dakota's RII Track-1 effort, New Discoveries in the Advanced Interface of Computation, Engineering, and Science (ND-ACES) is to build greater capacity to facilitate innovation within ND's bioscience sector in sustainable fundamental, applied, and translational research as well as broaden participation and economic engagement beyond commodities. Specifically, ND-ACES’ research will expand ND’s familiarity, expertise, and research capacity related to the growth of breast and prostate cancer cells that mimic primary and metastatic tumors. ND-ACES will expand bioscience capacity by leveraging current and new investments that lead to new knowledge and increase ND's competitiveness. Success in this arena will help diversify the state’s economy beyond the boom and bust agriculture and oil (commodity) sectors. ND’s S&T Plan (Appendix F) identifies bioscience as an emerging area of critical importance for RU research emphases and addresses state priorities for economic growth. Prior to the submission of this NSF RII Track-1, the ND EPSCoR State Steering Committee (Appendix A) reviewed and confirmed the relevance of the S&T Plan to the ND-ACES research and they will continue to make recommendations regarding future focus areas. ND-ACES is poised to dramatically enhance success in building capacity for bioscience research in ND and sustaining innovative science in the state. ND-ACES, through efforts at the RUs, MCU, PUIs, and TCUs, enables the capacity-building that helps transition the CCBSE into a mature entity for research innovation. This effort includes shaping the expertise and capabilities in research and development areas that align with federal priorities while addressing the sustainability of important growth areas for the state. The CCBSE addresses the potential for biosciences research growth in ND and will build capacity for innovative research that focuses on specific Strategies detailed in the state's S&T Plan by calling for investments in the emerging biotechnologies sector (Strategy 1.A.1.iii); associated support for the development of a "biosciences/biomedical" research corridor in the Red River Valley, where both of the RUs are located (Strategy 0.X.0.xx); expanded support across ND for materials science research (Strategy 1.A.1.vii); increased state investments in advanced scientific computing and visualization (Strategies 1.A.5; 2.B.1, 2.B.6, 4.B); support and expansion of infrastructure in key research and development areas (Strategy 2); continued support for the Grand Challenge areas of NDSU (healthy populations and vital communities) and UND (human health and big data) (Strategy 1.B); and, increased academic partnerships with the private sector (Strategy 3). Further, the S&T Plan identifies activities to produce and retain STEM graduates who are "technically skilled and business-wise" (Strategy 4). CCBSE capitalizes on recent industry and medical sector growth, which points to the tremendous potential the bioscience sector holds for North Dakota. PROSPER provides for real-time understanding of STEM needs at the MCU/PUIs/TCUs (Strategy 4.A.1); STEM pathway programs between the MCU/PUIs/TCUs and RUs (Strategy 4.A.2); additional research experiences for undergraduates (Strategy 4.A.3); cyberinfrastructure (CI) interns (Strategies 4.B.1 and 2), and increased awareness of the state's innovation ecosystem to improve economic diversification and quality of life for citizens (Strategy 5). The state, along with the North Dakota University System (NDUS) and the North Dakota Association of Tribal Colleges (NDATC), have identified the critical need for STEM education and workforce development (EWD). PROSPER is fully integrated with CCBSE and will synergistically help build a tech-savvy workforce through diverse bioscience/STEM education and professional development pathways; broaden participation by underrepresented and underserved populations; sustain impact through the translation of research into the private and medical sector; and promote awareness among ND’s residents.