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Research

The Office of Research, Extension, and Engagement is committed to fostering research and scholarship through collaboration with faculty and students in concept and partnership development, proposal development and submission, regulatory and post-award management.

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Contact the Research and Extension Office

Soolyeon Cho, Ph.D.

Associate Dean of Research, Doctoral Programs and Global Engagement; Professor of Architecture; Director of Building Energy Technology Lab (BETlab)

Lenise Sellars

Director of Research Administration and Pre-Award

Pre-Award and Post-Award Services

Request for Proposals (RFPs)

Internal RFPs

  • Game-Changing Research Incentive Program (GRIP) for Economic Access and Opportunity (GRIP-EAO)
    • Using funds donated by the Caterpillar Foundation, the Poole College of Management, in conjunction with the NC State Research Development Office, is requesting proposals for research projects that seek to improve understanding and create solutions that lead to better access and opportunities for underrepresented minorities and women in the economy and business world.
    • NOTE: This program will provide a total of $650,000 over a three-year project period with awards of up to $100,000 per proposal.

External RFPs

Important Dates

SREE & Honorary Awards

The College of Design has a Scholarship, Research, Extension and Engagement (SREE) Committee consisting of four faculty on two-year appointments. This committee serves as an advisor to the Associate Dean for Research, Doctoral Programs and Global Engagement on research, extension, and engagement-related scholarly efforts and administration. Two faculty members who serve on the University Research Committee also coordinate and provide input to the Associate Dean of Research, Doctoral Programs and Global Engagement on a regular basis.

Current SREE Committee Members:

  • Helen Armstrong (Graphic Design and Industrial Design)
  • Lesley-Ann Noel (Media Arts, Design and Technology)
  • Wayne Place (Architecture)
  • Gavin Smith (Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning)

University Research Committee College of Design Faculty Representatives:

  • Deborah Littlejohn (Graphic Design and Industrial Design)
  • Gavin Smith (Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning)

Recent Funded Research Awards

Faculty MemberAgencyAward AmountAward Title
Prof. Andy FoxNC Department of Commerce$242,975MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND INTERAGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT between the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division, and the Initiative for Community Growth and Development at NC State University
Prof. David OhNational Security Agency$32,605DO4 – LAS Design Studio Funding
Prof. Nilda Cosco. SC DHEC$331,678Grow Outdoors – GO SC
Prof. Nilda CoscoNC Department of Health and Human Services$658,195Relaunching & Extending a Supportive Network for Naturalized Outdoor Play and Learning Environments for North Carolina Child Care Facilities
Prof. Gavin SmithDepartment of Homeland Security$1,737,016RSL-FIMA-Mitigation Directorate Building the Capacity to Develop, Implement, and Manage Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grants and Assist Communities Adapt to a Changing Climate by Harnessing the Abilities of U.S. University and Institutional Systems
Please note: this is a list of the five most recent awards to the College of Design. For a full list of awards, please contact the College Research Office.

Current Select Funded Research Projects

*For full list of awards, please contact the College Research Office. A select list of funded projects is below:

Project Title: Pollocksville Floodprint: Implementing a Flood-Resilient Main Street

Lead PI: Travis Klondike

Abstract – The CDDL will provide community technical assistance and administrative support to ensure that project reporting and fiscal oversight activities are executed in accordance with requirements set forth by the grantor. This includes but is not limited to the completion of progress and final project reports; reimbursement requests and, as needed, the facilitation of payments made to vendors for professional services and project implementation activities per the approved budget. The CDDL will assist the Town of Pollocksville in completing the following tasks: draft and issue RFQ/RFPs; coordinate design reviews; oversee compliance of permitting activities; conduct site visits with selected vendors.

Project Title: 2023 LAF Case Study Investigation (CSI) Program

Lead PI: Prof. Carla Delcambre

Abstract – During the program the Research Fellow will collaborate with one or more assigned participating landscape architecture professionals (Sasaki) and will manage a Research Assistant’s production of a Case Study Brief (or Briefs) for LAF’s Landscape Performance Series (LPS).

Project Title: Uplift NC

Lead PI: Prof. Kofi Boone

Abstract – The goal of UPLIFT NC is to boost tourism to rural and under-resourced North Carolina communities. We do this by providing tourism practitioners and local leaders with the knowledge and resources to strengthen and connect tourism sites, services and businesses in targeted regions within the State. This includes natural, recreational, cultural, agricultural, culinary, built as well as other tourism experiences and services. 

Project Title: Early Childhood Outdoor Play and Learning Environments – Train of Trainers (ToT) Course

Lead PI: Dr. Nilda Cosco

Abstract – Early Childhood Outdoor Play and Learning Environments – Train of Trainers (ToT) Course is a North Carolina State University non-credit program developed to: a. Train future instructors / trainers and subject matter experts on the importance of early childhood outdoor play and learning environments. b. Train existing instructors and subject matter experts to increase their knowledge repertoire to include early childhood outdoor play and learning environments. c. Support future trainers to empower their organizations and/or communities to promote, develop, implement, manage, and evaluate high quality outdoor spaces for young children. d. Equip future trainers with knowledge, skills, and resources readily transferred to practitioners in multiple fields as strategic tools to achieve long-term, sustainable change in their contexts. The course will equip participants with knowledge, skills, practical examples, and content resources to support their confidence to promote the creation of healthy outdoor environments and programs in childcare settings. Collaborative mechanisms will be established with the funding organization to meet shared goals and objectives.

Project Title: Seeding Resilience in Princeville II: Community-driven Adaptation to Climate

Lead PI: Andrew Fox

Abstract – “Seeding Resilience” will convert vacant town-owned parcels to green infrastructure and community gardens. It will also employ local youth to build a recreational trail adjacent to a new farmers market in a park adjacent to the Tar River. This project is part of an ongoing, multi-faceted resilience engagement with and for the Town of Princeville, NC, the nation’s first town chartered by African Americans following emancipation. Princeville has been subject to repeated devastating floods. In this proposal, project partners build on their history of learning and cooperation with the residents of Princeville to implement a second round of community enhancements aimed at increasing resilience of property and people. The project incorporates lessons from initial collaborations that established overarching goals for the partnership: follow community-driven decision-making at every stage; move decisively from planning to implementation; build local knowledge and economic opportunity; and develop replicable strategies that address community environmental, economic, and social needs.

Research Initiatives and Labs

Our applied research guides key policymakers and informs how communities and products are designed. And compelling design methods like data visualization and virtual reality tech help bring important concepts to a wider audience.

Partner With Us

We’re always looking for unique partnerships in alignment with faculty expertise and partner interest. Through our work, we empower industries, government agencies and communities across the state, region, and the nation by applying smart, sustainable solutions in response to grand challenges.

For partnerships and further inquiries, please contact Soolyeon Cho, Associate Dean of Research, Doctoral Programs and Global Engagement at soolyeon.cho@ncsu.edu.