Research Faculty Advisory Board

The Research Faculty Advisory Board (RFAB) serves as a cornerstone of the university’s shared governance model, ensuring that faculty voices are central to decisions surrounding research-related activities. The RFAB provides strategic advice and guidance to support the advancement of research excellence across the institution.

The board comprises faculty members from all colleges, nominated by their respective deans, ensuring a diverse and inclusive representation of academic disciplines and perspectives.

To achieve its mission, the RFAB oversees three standing subcommittees:

  1. Research Funding Subcommittee
    This subcommittee is dedicated to optimizing funding opportunities and advising on resource allocation to enhance research impact. It reviews applications for internal and external funding opportunities four times a year, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and alignment with institutional priorities. By providing transparent, thorough evaluations, the subcommittee supports faculty in securing the financial resources necessary to advance groundbreaking research.
  2. Research Compliance Subcommittee
    The Research Compliance Subcommittee plays a vital role in ensuring that the university adheres to institutional and federal guidelines regarding research, particularly research involving human subjects. Working closely with the Institutional Review Board (IRB), this subcommittee ensures ethical research practices, provides guidance on compliance issues, and supports faculty in navigating regulatory frameworks. This work is essential to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the university’s research endeavors.
  3. Research Development Subcommittee
    This subcommittee is committed to identifying emerging research priorities, fostering faculty growth, and driving innovation across the institution. It oversees initiatives and programs that support undergraduate research and publishing, ensuring that students are integrated into the university’s broader research culture. Additionally, it spearheads efforts to provide faculty with professional development opportunities, resources for proposal writing, and pathways for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Together, the RFAB and its subcommittees are instrumental in shaping a dynamic and forward-thinking research environment that empowers faculty and students while advancing the university’s mission of academic excellence and innovation.

For more information about the RFAB, please contact [email protected].