Strides For A Better Tomorrow

Greetings from OVPR Leadership

Rutgers University–New Brunswick’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) strengthens our institution-wide capacities for innovative, interdisciplinary research that addresses society’s most pressing issues. OVPR proudly fulfills the goals and objectives of the Rutgers–New Brunswick Academic Master Plan, which establishes Innovative Research as an institutional pillar of excellence. We are guided by OVPR’s three key principles: Interdisciplinarity, which includes collaborative problem-solving across diverse academic communities; Transparency, the creation of shared governance and clarity in research policies and practices; and Equity, ensuring fair access to research and leadership opportunities and funding across disciplines and communities.

Across the Rutgers–New Brunswick community and beyond, OVPR facilitates internal and external collaborations, advocates for essential resources, and promotes an inclusive culture of faculty and student innovation. We also offer advisory support for universitywide research initiatives including cross-campus efforts, research infrastructure development, and the launch and expansion of Chancellor-reporting Signature Initiatives (CSIs).

Over the past three years, OVPR has convened Provost Strategic Task Forces focused on climate change, cyberinfrastructure, data science and AI, the life sciences, and behavioral health. This effort, in turn, led to transformative initiatives: the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI), Rutgers Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (RAD) Collaboratory, and others in development.

We have played a pivotal role in building scholarly communities by connecting faculty, staff, and students; providing seed funding through the Chancellor Challenge; and holding research ideation forums, speed networking sessions, deans’ roundtables, and leadership retreats. We champion student engagement in research through collaboration with the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and our Platforms for Education and Research Cores (PERC) initiative, creating new pathways for student involvement. We mentor faculty research leadership fellows, support their career development, and enhance their capacity to drive innovative research.

OVPR also actively supports publicly and community-engaged research. By involving industry partners, communities, and educators in the research process, we ensure our work addresses real-world challenges and creates tangible societal impact. We also make hands-on research opportunities available to students at all levels, providing invaluable experiences that prepare them for leadership roles and as engaged citizens. Data-driven research that engages diverse voices and areas of scholarship and creates actionable solutions for a rapidly changing world: This is the mission of OVPR, one we are deeply committed to fulfilling for our campus, local communities, New Jersey, and the world.