Welcome and Workshop Goals **Theme:** Collaborative Capacity Building **Workshop Purpose:** Strengthen collaboration across South Dakota’s higher education ecosystem to advance shared priorities, expand funding opportunities, and drive actionable outcomes.

South Dakota's Higher Education & Research Ecosystem Emerging opportunities, pressures and shared priorities Perspectives from higher education, EPSCoR and statewide partners

Breaking Down the Silos: Who's Doing What? Highlight expertise, research interests, initiatives and resources across institutions. Identify areas of complementary expertise and potential collaboration.

Research & Idea Connections Short concept pitches from participants. Research ideas, emerging initiatives and collaboration needs. Facilitated connections among potential partners.

Featured Session: Building Collaborative Research Capacity in South Dakota Keynote.

Funding the Work •Federal and statewide funding landscape •EPSCoR and other collaborative opportunities •Building stronger multi-institution proposals •Grant development, support and shared resources

Building Research Connections •Creating multidisciplinary and multi-institution teams •Connecting complementary expertise •Opportunities to partner with SURF/The Institute and broader research networks

Building Student Research & Experimental Learning Pathways •Undergraduate research •Cross-institution experiences •Internships and applied learning •STEM education and workforce pathways

Featured Session: AI Across Higher Education •AI in research •AI in teaching and learning •Responsible and effective use

From Ideas to Initiatives Room: Education & Outreach Large Conference Room - Working groups share concepts and recommendations - Identify opportunities with the greatest potential for continued collaboration

Building the Infrastructure for Continued COllaboration Room: Education & Outreach Large Conference Room - Peer-to-peer working groups - Shared resources and expertise - Research/faculty connections across institutions - Opportunities for SURF/The Institute to serve as a neutral convener and connector

Action Planning Room: Education & Outreach Large Conference Room - Establish working groups and leads - Define immediate next steps - Determine follow-up structure and timeline

Workshop Takeaways, 2027 Priorities, Commitments and Feedback Room: Education & Outreach Large Conference Room - Key Takeaways - 2027 Priorities - Commitments & Next Steps - Feedback - Complete Survey