This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Description The Outreach Core, directed by Sara Young, provides a diverse set of products for MT INBRE. Part of the duties of the core is meeting the needs of tribal colleges, their faculty, and Native American as identified during the three years of BRIN. In collaboration with the MT EPSCoR program, INBRE provides support for new faculty hires in the life sciences at Montana's tribal colleges. An important component of this support is through the Mini-Grant Program. This program provides substantial funds for tribal college faculty to commence and then enhance their educational and research programs. Funding is also made available for student researchers at the tribal institutions. These students participate in the Summer Research Programs at MSU. The Outreach Core also facilitates collaborations between the lead and partner institutions. Tribal college partners include Blackfeet Community College, Chief Dull Knife College, Fort Belknap College, Fort Peck Community College, Little Big Horn College, and Stone Child College. The Outreach Core organizes several programs to enhance research experiences and publicize the MT INBRE program. The National Speaker Program, established by the Steering Committee, hosts a minimum of four world-class infectious disease or environmental health researcher visits to INBRE campuses each year. All INBRE faculty can recommend speakers for this program and host them at their campus. INBRE speakers will tour labs at the host institution and meet with INBRE students and faculty. These visits expose all INBRE faculty and students to cutting-edge science and provide informal review of ongoing research. INBRE students and faculty prepare for the seminars by reading journal articles and background science on the speakers' research prior to their visits. The National Speakers Program is represented by Caf Scientifique. Caf Scientifique is co-sponsored by the MT INBRE and the College of Letters and Science at MSU. The Caf is held at a local venue and is free and open to all community members. The Caf provides the opportunity to come together in a friendly locale after work and hear a short talk on an interesting current scientific topic. Following the presentation, there is time for questions, answers, and general discussion. An idea that started in England in 1998, the Caf Scientifique is based on the French Caf Philosophique and has recently spread to a handful of locations in the U.S. Cambridge University's Varsity Magazine wrote, 'Caf Scientifique tries to take science away from the bum-numbing chairs of the classroom and into big, fluffy sofas. It tries to play a role in promoting public engagement in science; making it accountable, because science is no longer for the scientist alone.' The Faculty Networking Forum is held annually at a tribal college and includes presentations and forums on research, education, collaborations, and Native American culture.
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