LENEXA, KAN. (MARCH 1, 2022) –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 and University of Kansas Center for Research Inc., on behalf of Center for Environmental Policy (CEP), are collaborating to provide career opportunities for KU student scientists and collaboration in science. The three-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed Friday, February 25th at an event at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
After touring the KU Hill Engineering Research and Development Center in KU Hill, Meg McCollister (EPA Region 7 Administrator) and Dr. Simon Atkinson (KU vice Chancellor for Research) signed the MOU. The event was streamed live on the EPA Region 7s Facebook Page.
McCollister stated that the agreement, in addition to formalizing our partnership with universities, is a symbol for our mutual interest and appreciation for the up-and coming generation of scientists and engineers. EPA is working with universities to foster relationships across the Midwest. There’s a real benefit in these partnerships. Learning from each other has compounding benefits.
At KU, our vision includes the education of leaders, the building of healthy communities, and making discoveries that can change the world. Our students are the key to our vision. They go out every day and make a difference in the world. Collaborations such as these allow us to bring together the best scholars and researchers with government and community partners in order to make a difference.
The MOU outlines six areas that CEP and EPA Region 7 can collaborate and partner in:
- Joint Research Projects CEP and EPA Region 7 are expected to coordinate on a regular schedule in order for them to identify mutually beneficial research priorities.
- Participation in CEP ResearchCEP and EPA Region 7 will facilitate and encourage visits by EPA Region 7 personnel to CEP affiliates to each other facilities for research-related consultations and meetings, workshops, tours and project participation. CEP-related research may also allow for temporary faculty appointments.
- Student Internships at EPA Region 7 and EmploymentCEP will have access to information about programs designed for student participation, training, and employment. CEP will facilitate participation by students and staff to EPA internship outreach opportunities.
- Technical AssistanceCEP and EPA Region 7 are looking at ways to collaborate in research-related consultations and meetings, workshops, and seminars.
- Research-Related Mini-Courses/Lectures/SeminarsCEP and EPA Region 7 will exchange information about training support. This includes mini-courses, lectures and seminars on topics such as ecology, anthropology and psychology, public affairs, administration, biology, engineering and environmental studies.
- Grant OpportunitiesCEP may receive grant application training from EPA Region 7. This will be in accordance to applicable grant regulations, CEPs mission and purpose, and EPA Region 7’s resource capacity. CEP may sponsor grant writing workshops for Region 7. EPA Region 7 can provide assistance and training where necessary.
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