UK awarded NSF grant to launch international research analytics network

The University of Kentucky was awarded a four-year, $913,685 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish the Research Evaluation and Analytics Capacity Hub (REACH). 

REACH is an international initiative aimed at transforming the landscape of research administration through the responsible use of data, artificial intelligence and evidence-based decision-making.

The new funding, through the NSF GRANTED program, will position UK as a central convener in the advancement of research analytics and responsible research assessment practices, offering tools, training and community-building for institutions of all sizes across the country.

“REACH will serve as a national platform to empower institutions to build smarter, more strategic research enterprises,” said Baron Wolf, Ph.D., principal investigator and director of Research Analytics, part of UK’s Institutional Research, Analytics & Decision Support. “This project not only reflects the emerging and growing field of research analytics, but also NSF’s commitment to transforming the research ecosystem within the NSF GRANTED program.”

REACH brings together global expertise and a diverse community of professionals, including research administrators, faculty researchers, academic librarians and data analysts. The goal is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation around how institutions use data to improve research strategies, increase workforce efficiency and expand research capacity.

REACH’s key components:

• RAMP (Research Analytics Mentoring Program): A structured mentoring program to develop emerging leaders in research analytics.
• Annual Research Analytics Summit: An in-person convening of experts and practitioners to share strategies, tools and case studies.
• Online Resources and Training: A robust suite of webinars, learning modules and digital materials to support ongoing professional development.

The initiative is supported by strong national partners, including a steering committee of experts from institutions from across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. These collaborations will extend REACH’s impact and ensure that diverse institutions — from R1 universities to regional colleges — have access to cutting-edge resources and shared learning.

“We are creating a hub where institutions can learn from one another, develop shared standards and drive progress in how we evaluate and support research. REACH is about building community as much as capacity,” Wolf said.

As the first initiative of its kind focused on responsible research analytics at a national scale, REACH is expected to serve as a model for innovation in research support and strategy, helping institutions meet the evolving demands of a competitive and data-driven research environment. The project will begin July 1.

Research reported in this publication was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award No. 2444978. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.