Two great Grand Challenges events during Research & Discovery week

The Grand Challenges program hosts two events, including Grand Challenges Day and Space Day, during Research and Discovery Week, Nov. 8-15.

Grand Challenges are problems of global, national, and regional significance that require researchers to work together across disciplinary boundaries to develop and implement solutions. Grand Challenges address problems that, when solved, have a significant positive impact on people and society.

Grand Challenges Day - Tuesday, Nov. 12

Grand Challenges Day is an annual event to share the progress of UNM's research efforts to address wicked problems facing the state, region, and world. The next round of Level 1 funding will be announced at the event, and there will be opportunities for interested researchers to gather, brainstorm, and begin planning for a proposal submission in Spring 2025.

In the morning session, hear about how Grand Challenge teams have successfully engaged with students, government agencies and officials, and the wider community through several different initiatives and programs. The presentations cover broad themes of community and policy, and communication and student engagement.

At 1 p.m., learn about rural New Mexicans' challenges at our panel presentation, featuring NM Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Patrick Allen, NM Representative Gail Armstrong, and Sandia National Laboratories Distinguished Member of Technical Staff Sandra Begay. The panel will be moderated by Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher.

Immediately following the panel, stay for a facilitated brainstorming session designed to help new teams form ahead of the Level 1 Request for Proposals release in January 2025. If you have an idea for a Grand Challenge concept and want to start finding interested researchers to work with in advance, please fill out this form and someone from the Grand Challenges program will be in touch.

Space Day - Wednesday, Nov. 13

Space Day will provide attendees the opportunity to learn about space-related research at UNM and in New Mexico. Throughout the day, presentations on many different space initiatives at and around UNM will provide a fuller picture of the team's research work in their first year. The late morning will feature a presentation from an Artemis III scientist working on the NASA initiative to send the first humans to explore the south pole of the Moon.

Attendees will be able to experience the Moon and Mars through interactive displays, including touching lunar and Martian samples and taking a virtual reality walk around Mars.

There will be many opportunities to network with space researchers and space industry experts throughout the day. Students will also have opportunities to get involved in space-related research at UNM, find an internship, or explore careers in the New Mexico space industry by chatting with various agencies who will have tables at the event.