This program provides training and $1,500 in project development funding to faculty and staff interested in creating or improving hands-on learning activities for the 2027 Columbia Young Scientist Fair and Expo. Participants will strengthen their public engagement and broader impacts skills while developing activities that can be reused for future outreach. No previous Expo experience is required. Fellows will receive:

• Training in youth engagement and experiential STEM learning.
• Individualized support and peer feedback to develop engaging, age-appropriate activities connected to their research. 

Participants are encouraged to involve undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, but may also participate individually. If selected, research teams will be required to attend:

• A training on best practices in designing quality youth programming – Nov. 16, 2026, 4-6 p.m.

• The 2027 Columbia Young Scientist Expo – Feb. 27, 2027, 1-4:30 p.m. 

• A workshop where teams will iteratively revise their activity – April 19, 2027, 4-6 p.m.

• A culminating experience with children and families where final activities will be delivered - May 20, 2027, 5-7 p.m.
   

Download the full application guidelines (Word).
 

Apply by Oct. 16, 2026.

This workshop series features topics relevant to early career researchers throughout the year. Each session is interactive, and participants can expect to leave with clear and actionable next steps. Topics include:

• Developing your research agenda
• Communicating your research
• Introduction to grant writing
• Managing research teams
   

Upcoming workshops

Early Career Research Planning and Goal Setting

Oct. 16, 9 a.m.-noon | Room S304, Memorial Union South

This interactive session will support researchers in developing a five-year research plan, including:

• Mapping career milestones.
• Visioning and goal setting.
• Crowd-sourcing time and task management skills.
• Peer coaching and feedback.

Register by Oct. 13.

Our CAREER Club is designed to help eligible researchers submit or resubmit a competitive application to the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Program. Club participants receive training, support and consultation throughout the process — from first draft to submission. 

Register by Dec. 11, 2026.
 

See eligibility requirements and 2027 program schedule.

This program is intended to help PIs learn best practices and avoid common pitfalls in project management, meeting grant deliverables and team effectiveness. 

Presenters will actively engage participants through case studies, peer discussions and shared planning tools. In addition, participants will learn about campus resources that can help them work through the challenges of managing a complex project. 
 

In-person program

Jan. 12, 2027, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Room 171, Bond Life Sciences Center

Lunch will be provided. 
 

Register by Jan. 5, 2027.

Space is limited; registration may close early.
 

Virtual program

Before the program begins, you will receive calendar invitations with Zoom links (after registration closes).

Schedule

• Monday, March 8, noon-1:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 9, noon-1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 10, noon-1:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 11, noon-1:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 12, noon-1:30 p.m.
   

Register by March 1, 2027.

Space is limited; registration may close ear/y.

Fall Semester 2026

The Division of Research hosts writing retreats throughout the year to provide a quiet place for researchers to read, write and think in community with other scholars. The Professional Development team is available during retreats for individual researcher consultations and in-the-moment writing feedback and support. Feel free to drop in and out as needed.

All retreats are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 171, Bond Life Sciences Center

• Oct. 23 (Register)
• Nov. 16 (Register)
• Dec. 15 (Register)

Fall Semester 2026

Supporting Graduate Student and Postdoc Research

Oct. 29, noon-1 p.m. (via Zoom)

Faculty and principal investigators play an important role in supporting graduate students and postdoctoral scholars as developing researchers. This session will provide practical guidance and resources for effectively supervising and mentoring graduate students and postdocs throughout their research experience at Mizzou.

Topics will include: 

• MU resources to support your recruitment of and work with graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. 
• Explanations of key policies and considerations for working with graduate and postdoctoral researchers. 
• Expectations and best practices for supervision and mentoring., 
• Annual evaluations and professional development. 

The session also will include a brief overview of existing opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to build research and grant-writing skills, identify funding, and prepare for increasing independence as researchers.

Participants will leave this webinar with a better understanding of their responsibilities as supervisors and mentors and an understanding of the Mizzou resources available to support both them and the graduate students and postdocs with whom they work.

Status: Registration is open.
 

Increasing Impact Through Industry Partnerships Panel

Nov. 19, 11 a.m.-noon (via Zoom)

Industry partnerships can create new opportunities to expand the reach and impact of research, access expertise and resources, and move ideas toward real-world application. But finding the right partners, establishing a productive relationship, and navigating the practical aspects of university-industry collaboration can be unfamiliar territory for researchers.

This panel brings together perspectives from Mizzou researchers, industry, research administration and corporate engagement to explore how successful industry partnerships develop and work in practice. Panelists will share their experiences and discuss how connections are made, what makes a partnership mutually beneficial, how industry collaborations differ from other research partnerships, and what researchers should know as they develop and manage these relationships.

Moderator: Vinny Femia, Executive Director for Advancement for Corporate Engagement

Panelists:

• Lyria Bartlett, Chair and Associate Teaching Professor, Architectural Studies, College of Arts and Science 
• Joe Griffin, PhD, Founding Director, Adroit Studios, School of Information Science and Learning Technologies, College of Education and Human Development
• Kate Neckermann, Director, Office of Research and Creative Activities, College of Arts and Science
• Michael Sykuta, Director, Center for Rural Energy Security; Associate Professor, Division of Applied Social Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Status: Registration is open.

Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-noon | Stotler Lounge III, Memorial Union North

Join the Human-Centered Design Research Interest Group (HCD-RIG) for a morning of research, networking and collaboration. Hear from the HCD-RIG Catalyst Award teams, connect with researchers from across disciplines, and help shape the RIG’s research and funding priorities for the next 12–18 months. Faculty, graduate students, staff and other researchers interested in human-centered research are welcome.

Brunch will be provided.

Register by Oct. 13.

This six-week hybrid program helps faculty at all stages reframe their research, identify new funding streams and adapt to shifting federal priorities. Participants explore federal, foundation and industry funding; create funder-aligned concept papers; receive personalized coaching; and develop a tailored funding strategy. Includes expert-led sessions, peer review and follow-up writing support. 

Visioning and Reframing, Sept. 21

• 1-2:30 p.m. (in-person) — Room 171, Bond Life Sciences Center 
  This session will provide an overview of the current funding landscape and explore how proposal development differs among funders. Participants will explore how their research connects to agency priorities.

Public Funding, Sept. 29

• 1-2:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
  This session, co-facilitated with the Office of Government Relations, will present the federal and state budget processes and current priorities. Participants will have an opportunity to brainstorm about how their work might fit within the current landscape. 

Foundation Funding, Oct. 7

• 1-2:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
  Learn about writing proposals for mission-driven organizations, key features of letters of intent/interest (LOIs) and foundation proposals, as well as pros and cons of working with community-based funders.

Industry Funding, Oct. 15

• 1-2:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
  Learn about working with Mizzou industry relations contacts, how to know if your work is a good fit for industry partnerships and where to get started.

Opportunity Mapping, Oct. 21

• 1-2:30 p.m. (in-person) — Room 171, Bond Life Sciences Center 
  During this session, we will map your concept paper ideas, identify potential stakeholders for your project, and outline various funding and research pathways each project might take.

Writing Concept Papers, Oct. 26

• 1-2:30 p.m. (in-person) — Room 171, Bond Life Sciences Center 
  Write your concept papers with support from the Division of Research team in preparation for your feedback panel.

Sign up to be notified about future programs.