Past Programming & Events
Featured on this page are past events that the NSF-EPIIC-CAFE has hosted.
EPIIC SEED Grant Funding Opportunity Round 2
The Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects at Fairleigh Dickinson University invited applications for Round 2 of the SEED
This funding opportunity supported new and early-stage external collaborations and encouraged projects positioned for
📅 Application Deadline: April 5, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM ET
💰 Maximum Award: Up to $5,000 per project
📌 Anticipated 2026 Awards: 2 projects, subject to availability of funds
📌 Notice of Award: May 2026
📅 Project Period: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
📌 Final Report Due: Within 30 days of project end
Funding Opportunity Focus
The SEED Grant Round 2 opportunity supported projects that:
✔ Catalyzed new or early-stage external collaborations
✔ Broadened participation in regional innovation and research ecosystems
✔ Strengthened partnerships with external research collaborators
✔ Positioned teams for sustained collaboration beyond the seed year
✔ Advanced future external proposals, joint projects, workforce-aligned training, or adoption-ready outcomes
Project Requirements
Applicants were required to meet the following criteria:
✔ The Principal Investigator was required to be a full-time FDU faculty member, any rank, tenure track, or clinical track
✔ The proposed project was required to include at least one external research partner, such as a higher education,
✔ The application was required to demonstrate a clear path to sustain collaboration beyond the seed year
✔ A one-page external partner letter on partner letterhead was required, confirming the partner’s role, the
📌 Learn more: Applicants reviewed the SEED Grant Round 2 opportunity on the NSF EPIIC page of the Grants and
📝 Applications: Applicants submitted materials online
📧 For questions about this funding opportunity, contact j.moralesblasucci@fdu.edu
📌 Made possible by NSF Award #2433183
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Grant Proposal Round 2
The Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects at Fairleigh Dickinson University invited faculty to participate in the second
📅 Participation Deadline: March 30, 2026
💰 Faculty Support: $500 professional development support
📌 Focus: Interdisciplinary proposal development and external funding opportunities
📌 Resource: Faculty were encouraged to review the official invitation flyer for focus areas and opportunity details
What Faculty Received
Faculty selected to participate received:
✔ $500 to support professional development in recognition of their time and expertise
✔ Hands-on experience in grant development and proposal writing
✔ Opportunities to collaborate across disciplines and strengthen competitive proposals
✔ Increased professional visibility and potential to expand research agendas and future partnerships
Expectations for Selected Faculty
Participants were expected to:
✔ Contribute substantively to proposal development and writing
✔ Attend team meetings and meet agreed-upon deadlines
✔ Share relevant resources, such as data, partnerships, or curriculum materials, to strengthen the application
✔ Review and provide feedback on proposal drafts to help finalize the submission
📌 Participation: Faculty completed the participation form by March 30
📧 For questions about this opportunity, contact j.moralesblasucci@fdu.edu
NSF EPIIC Journal Club – Research in Conversation: Interdisciplinary Journal Discussion
On March 9, 2025, the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects at Fairleigh Dickinson University hosted Research in
This session was designed as an informal, thoughtful exchange about what the research says and what it means for
📅 Date: March 9, 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Discussion Focus
Participants explored the article’s implications across research, teaching, and institutional practice, including:
✔ The role of intelligent wearable sensors in transforming healthcare
✔ The use of smart materials and artificial intelligence in emerging health technologies
✔ Opportunities for interdisciplinary scholarship and collaboration
✔ Connections between current research, classroom teaching, and institutional innovation
✔ Ways to foster a vibrant research culture through critical reflection and dialogue
Professional Development Incentive
Two faculty participants had the opportunity to win $250 in Professional Development funds through a raffle held at the
📌 Flyer: Event details were shared through the official invitation flyer
📌 Registration: Participants registered in advance online
📌 Article Access: Advance reading was encouraged, though not required for participation
📧 For questions about this event, contact j.moralesblasucci@fdu.edu
Applied AI for Academic Impact – Workshop
On October 13, 2025, the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects at Fairleigh Dickinson University hosted the Applied AI for Academic Impact Workshop, a session focused on responsible and ethical AI in academia and practical strategies for impact across teaching, research, and operations.
📅 Date: October 13, 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Workshop Focus
Participants explored how to use AI effectively across academia’s three core areas:
✔ Teaching: Enrich course design, formative assessment, and feedback
✔ Research: Scope studies, explore literature, organize data, and structure competitive proposals
✔ Operations: Streamline communication, documentation, and scheduling
Teach smarter. Research faster. Work better.
Presenters
- Nick Stelzner (University of Washington)
- Dr. Christopher Stubbs (Gregory H. Olsen College of Engineering and Science)
📌 Registration: Participants registered in advance via Zoom
📌 Event details were also shared through the official invitation flyer
📧 For questions about this event, contact j.moralesblasucci@fdu.edu
📌 Made possible by NSF Award #2433183
NSF EPIIC Journal Club 2.0 – Mind Meets Machine
On September 15, 2025, the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects at Fairleigh Dickinson University hosted Journal Club 2.0: “Mind Meets Machine: Ethical Frontiers & Educational Futures in the Age of AI.” This interactive session examined AI’s ethical, social, and instructional implications in higher education and discussed real-world applications across disciplines, grounded in current research on AI adoption.
📅 Date: September 15, 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Discussion Focus
✔ Explored ethical, social, and instructional impacts of AI in higher education
✔ Discussed real-world, cross-disciplinary applications informed by current research on AI adoption
✔ Fostered cross-campus, cross-disciplinary connections
✔ Applied insights to proposals, policies, and institutional strategies
✔ 🎉 Two faculty participants each won $250 in Professional Development Funds via raffle at the event’s conclusion
Participant Resources
📌 Registered in advance via Zoom
📌 Journal article: Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education: The dynamics of ethical, social, and educational implications (reading encouraged but not required)
📌 Event details were also shared through the official invitation flyer
This timely conversation underscored AI’s evolving role in academia and its influence on innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making across the university.
📧 For questions about this event, contact j.moralesblasucci@fdu.edu
📌 Made possible by NSF Award #2433183
Every Semester Needs a Plan – Faculty Development Workshop
On August 26, 2025, the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects and the Office of the Provost hosted Every Semester Needs a Plan workshop to help faculty and academic leaders kick off the academic year with focus and purpose.
📅 Date: August 26, 2025
⏰ Time: 2:30 – 4:30 PM ET
📍 Format: Virtual
Workshop Focus
Facilitated by the nationally recognized National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) and led by Rachel McLaren, PhD (University of Iowa), this interactive session guided participants to:
✔ Define and align personal and professional goals
✔ Build community and accountability
✔ Create a strategic plan for the semester
📌 Registered in advance via Zoom
📂 Workshop details were shared through the official invitation flyer
Faculty, lecturers, adjuncts, deans, and department chairs were encouraged to attend, and the session was also open to other interested individuals.
📧 For questions about this event, contact j.moralesblasucci@fdu.edu
NSF EPIIC Journal Club – AI in Research
On March 31, 2025, the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects at Fairleigh Dickinson University hosted an interactive session of the NSF EPIIC Journal Club exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research, its role in collaboration, funding, and innovation. This virtual event brought together faculty, researchers, and students to examine AI’s impact on research, broaden perspectives, exchange ideas, and connect with colleagues.
📅 Date: March 31, 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Event Highlights
✔ Explored AI’s impact on research
✔ Built interdisciplinary collaborations
✔ Shared funding insights
✔ 🎉 Two participants each won $250 in Professional Development Funds at the event’s conclusion
Participant Resources
📌 Registered in advance via Zoom
📌 Read the journal article: Artificial Intelligence in Research (encouraged but not required)
📂 Event details were also shared through the official invitation flyer
This engaging and collaborative discussion highlighted the growing role of AI in academic research and its influence on innovation, collaboration, and funding opportunities.
📧 For questions about this event, contact j.moralesblasucci@fdu.edu