The NSF Engineering Research Centers program supports large-scale, convergent engineering centers that integrate research, workforce development, innovation, and strategic partnerships around a shared societal and technological challenge.
This online YRD strategy session is designed for Yale faculty and teams who may be considering ERC-caliber center concepts. The session will focus on what it takes to build a credible center concept before a future solicitation is released, including how to clarify the center thesis, define an engineered-system outcome, develop meaningful partnerships, and assess early readiness.
The session will include a short YRD framing presentation followed by a moderated panel discussion with Yale perspectives on center-scale strategy, workforce development, innovation, partnerships, and proposal readiness.
What This Session Covers
What makes an idea ERC-caliber rather than simply a strong collaborative project
How to think about center thesis, engineered-system vision, and Yale lead positioning
What makes partnerships meaningful rather than decorative
How workforce development and innovation fit into the center strategy
What teams should begin building before a future solicitation is released
Who Should Attend
This session is intended for Yale faculty and research teams who are:
Exploring ERC-caliber ideas or center-scale engineering concepts
Considering Yale leadership of a future large-scale center proposal
Developing strategic partnerships, workforce models, or innovation pathways
Assessing whether an idea is ready for deeper concept development
Session Format
90 min online session
YRD strategy framing presentation
Moderated panel discussion
Audience Q&A
No formal preparation is required. Participants may wish to review the ERC Strategy & Readiness resources before or after the session.
Related Resources
YRD has developed ERC Strategy & Readiness resources to help Yale teams assess readiness, shape ERC-caliber concepts, and prepare for strategy consultation.
How to Register
To participate in the NSF ERC Strategy Session, please register here.
