Today's Café Specials

Convergence research is a means of solving vexing research problems, especially those focusing on societal needs with two primary characteristics:

It is driven by a specific and compelling problem, whether that problem arises from deep scientific questions or pressing societal needs; and
It shows deep integration across disciplines intentionally bringing together intellectually diverse researchers to develop effective ways of communicating across disciplines. As experts from different disciplines pursue a common research challenge, their knowledge, theories, methods, data and research communities increasingly intermingle.

RCEI is working to create a “Culture of convergence” at Rutgers within the realm of climate change scholarship.

The Convergence Café program within RCEI aims to reduce the barriers to establishing effective convergence partnerships within Rutgers, and across allied institutions. Convergence Cafés are informal gatherings held on campus at the Rutgers Club. We strive to create an atmosphere where ideas are shared freely between participants, there is room on the agenda for informal networking, and where participants are provided with high-value content that can elevate their ability to secure grant funding success. The success of Convergence Café events is measured over the short- and long- term for our stakeholder communities, establishment of convergence research centers at Rutgers, to instigating career-long collaborations between members of our RCEI community.

Mark Your Calendars!

Climate and the Bioeconomy Convergence Café

May 2nd, 2024
11:30am - 1:30pm
Rutgers Club, Room AB

The bioeconomy harnesses the power of biology in novel production of goods, services, and energy to grow the economy and workforce while improving quality of life and the environment. Key to the bioeconomy concept is reducing dependence on fossil fuels while preventing biodiversity loss, reducing risks to people, and ensuring economic growth follows ethical, responsible, and sustainable principles.

RCEI aims to direct Rutgers scholarship toward the emerging global emphasis on the role of the bioeconomy in addressing climate change. This Convergence Café looks to mobilize interdisciplinary teams to access federal investments and support in research that intersects with the bioeconomy.

Scholarship around the bioeconomy is inherently interdisciplinary bringing together not only biology, but also insights and principles from agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, engineering, computing, geological, mathematical, physical, social, behavioral, and economics sciences. The bioeconomy transcends all biological scales from molecular to organismal, evolutionary, ecosystem, and biome.

This event is for you if you are:

Looking for funding sources for your research interests around this theme.
Searching for a collaborator to team with for research funding.
Want to increase your chances of success within highly competitive programs.
In need of planning funds to get your project off the ground.

RCEI’s Climate and the Bioeconomy Convergence Café event is for RCEI affiliate scholars and other full-time Rutgers faculty and staff (or a representative from their lab) to develop connections as well as learn about upcoming funding opportunities to address challenges around this theme.

For more information about the nexus between Climate and the Bioeconomy, see the Federal Funding Landscape highlighting programs across the Federal government anticipated to be competed this Fall.

The NSF Regional Innovation Engines Competition also focuses on several key areas of technology outlined in CHIPS and Science – including biotechnology; additional information about this call is available here.