The research environment is changing rapidly. To remain a world-leading research university, the UW must not only respond to these changes but continually adapt the systems that enable our researchers to pursue ambitious ideas and emerging opportunities.
During the 2025–26 academic year, the Research Resilience and Transformation (RRT) Advisory Group brought together faculty from across the University to identify ways to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and impact of the UW research enterprise. In my response to the advisory group’s report, I outlined a series of actions already underway and committed the University to continued engagement with faculty and staff as we design, test and implement improvements to the systems that support research.
We are now moving into the next phase of that work.
Research Resilience and Transformation Network
The Office of the Provost is establishing the Research Resilience and Transformation Network to create an ongoing mechanism for faculty, senior research staff, and research administrators to help identify emerging challenges and opportunities, shape solutions, and work with existing and new partners to design and test improvements to the systems that support research.
The network will operate differently from a traditional standing committee. Because the issues facing the research enterprise are evolving quickly and require different expertise, network members will be asked to volunteer for focused, time-limited work around particular problems or opportunities. Members will identify two or three areas in which they are particularly interested in contributing, and the Office of the Provost will convene small groups as needs arise. This network is meant to provide advice and guidance that can be used to move issues to action through the University’s established processes and structures more quickly.
If you are interested in participating, start by filling out this form. Keep reading to learn more about the work.
Depending on the issue, network members may be asked to:
- identify barriers and emerging challenges affecting the ability of UW researchers to pursue and conduct research;
- help distinguish problems that require policy change from those that can be addressed through changes in process, practice, communication or support;
- co-design and, where appropriate, pilot new approaches and methods to track impact together with the administrative units responsible for implementation;
- identify emerging opportunities where changes in University practices could make the UW more competitive and nimble while also appropriately assessing and managing institutional risk.
Initial areas of focus
The network’s priorities will evolve as the research environment, federal requirements and funding opportunities change. Initial areas where faculty experience would be particularly valuable include:
Short award timelines and milestone-driven funding. How can the UW respond effectively when opportunities require unusually rapid proposal submission, award acceptance, project launch, hiring, or milestone reporting? What capabilities should be in place before an opportunity arises so that we can move quickly when it does?
Large, complex proposals and awards. How should the UW support the development and competitiveness of large team and center proposals involving multiple investigators or institutions, complex federal compliance requirements, significant regulatory obligations, or substantial administrative coordination? Where would dedicated complex-grant expertise have the greatest impact?
Rapid and complex partnerships. How can the UW make it easier to establish research collaborations on short timelines with industry, national laboratories, community organizations and nonprofits? Where do our current processes for proposal submission, contracting, intellectual property or other agreements unnecessarily constrain opportunities?
International collaboration: How should the UW support international collaboration at a time when it is being disincentivized? How can we help faculty navigate the complex requirements associated with foreign collaborations?
These are starting points, not a fixed agenda. New challenges and opportunities will emerge, and the network will evolve with them.
Who should participate
We welcome faculty at all ranks, senior research staff, and research administrators, from all three campuses and UW Medicine and across the full range of disciplines represented at the University of Washington. We particularly want to include people whose experience pursuing, managing or partnering on research projects has given them insight into where our systems enable excellent work — and where we have opportunities to evolve to better support our aspirations.
- Flexible participation: Time commitments will vary by topic, ranging from a single consultation to a short-term working group focused on developing and testing solutions.
- Respect for existing commitments: Engagement will be targeted to participants’ expertise and availability, without an expectation to participate in every issue.
- Rolling membership: Researchers may join or leave at any time. Additional participants may be invited as new issues arise requiring specific expertise.
Interested in contributing your expertise and ideas through the Research Resilience and Transformation Network?
Start here.
Why participate
The systems surrounding research can either enable ambitious work or constrain it. The RRT Advisory Group helped establish a direction for strengthening the UW research enterprise. The next phase is focused on tangible action: putting those ideas into practice, learning what works, and continuing to adapt as the research environment changes.
We invite you to bring your experience, ideas and creativity to that work. Thank you for your contributions and commitment to the University of Washington.