Partner with CSMCE
CSMCE partners with researchers to support high‑quality, impactful, and sustainable projects in STEM education and STEM‑related research. Whether your work focuses on research, program development, evaluation, outreach, or broader impacts, CSMCE brings infrastructure, expertise, and collaborative capacity to help projects succeed.
We work with faculty and project teams across disciplines—including those who may not identify primarily as STEM education researchers—to strengthen proposals, manage complex projects, and support implementation from idea generation through post‑award reporting.
What Does Partnering with CSMCE Look Like?
CSMCE partnerships are built on shared goals, mutual benefit, and ongoing communication. We take a collaborative—not transactional—approach to supporting grant‑funded and internally funded projects. That being said, partnership can look many different ways.
How to Think About CSMCE’s Role
CSMCE offers a wide range of services that support research, proposal development, and project implementation, and many successful projects engage us across multiple phases of the grant lifecycle. At the same time, we are a strategic partner—not a centralized service unit with unlimited capacity.
We encourage researchers to think of CSMCE as a starting point and connector when building project teams.
A Strategic Partner and Matchmaker
In some cases, CSMCE directly provides services through our staff. In other cases, we serve as a matchmaker, helping connect project teams with appropriate expertise across campus or among CSMCE‑affiliated faculty and collaborators.
Examples include:
- Looking for an evaluator? We can help identify and connect you with potential options.
- Looking for a project manager or coordinator? We may have staff with capacity, or we may suggest other campus resources.
- Looking for STEM education expertise or broader impacts partners? We often help broker those connections.
What Determines CSMCE’s Level of Involvement
While many support services are possible, CSMCE’s participation in a project is contingent on several key factors:
- Inclusion in the proposal
CSMCE must be written into the grant (e.g., through budget support, letters of collaboration, or defined roles) in order to provide post‑award services. - Staff capacity
Our ability to directly support a project depends on current staffing capacity and workload at the time of the request. - Alignment with CSMCE’s strategic plan
We are not a “pay‑to‑play” service center. Projects and partnerships are selected based on their alignment with CSMCE’s mission, priorities, and long‑term strategic goals.
About CSMCE‑Affiliated Faculty and Partners
CSMCE regularly collaborates with affiliated faculty and researchers across UNL. These individuals:
- Maintain independent research agendas
- Choose partnerships based on overlapping scholarly or professional interests
- May or may not be available for a specific project
We are happy to facilitate introductions, but participation is ultimately determined by mutual fit and interest.
How We Determine the Appropriate Level of Support
CSMCE evaluates partnership requests based on project goals, anticipated staff effort, alignment with the Center's mission and strategic priorities, available capacity, and funding resources. Not all requests can be accommodated, but we strive to identify an appropriate level of engagement that supports both the project's success and the Center's broader commitments to STEM education improvement.
Level 1: Outreach and Network Support
No-cost | No formal agreement required
CSMCE is pleased to provide limited outreach and networking support at no cost to researchers and project teams. This level of support is designed to help partners connect with education audiences and leverage CSMCE's established networks.
Examples include:
- Sharing project news, opportunities, or events through CSMCE newsletters and communication channels
- Connecting researchers with K-12 educators, STEM education professionals, and community partners
- Providing informal consultation regarding STEM education research processes or outreach opportunities
These services are typically provided on an as-available basis and do not require a formal agreement or financial commitment.
Level 2: Fee-for-Service Project Support
Short-term support | Service Center billing | Likely requires an MOU
For projects requiring specialized expertise or staff time, CSMCE offers fee-for-service support through its Service Center. These engagements are generally short-term, project-specific, and are generally documented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or similar agreement.
Examples include:
- Graphic and visual design services, such as logos, project branding, promotional materials, or website development
- Editing and production support for manuscripts, reports, and educational materials
- Event planning and coordination services
- Communications and outreach support
Costs are billed monthly through the CSMCE Service Center, with the scope and deliverables established in advance.
Level 3: Strategic Partnership and Grant Support
Long-term collaboration | Dedicated staff support | Requires advance planning and funding commitment
CSMCE may serve as a strategic partner on grant-funded projects by providing comprehensive administrative and programmatic support throughout the life of a project. Because these partnerships involve significant staff time and institutional commitments, they require substantial planning and discussion before an agreement is reached.
Examples include:
- Comprehensive project management
- Large-scale event and professional learning coordination
- Grant administration and reporting support
- Partner and stakeholder engagement
- Communications, dissemination, and outreach activities
- Coordination of project timelines, deliverables, and compliance requirements
These partnerships typically require dedicated project funding to support CSMCE personnel over the duration of the grant. Prior to entering into such an agreement, CSMCE works with prospective partners to clarify project goals, define the scope of work, assess staffing needs, and ensure that the project aligns with CSMCE's strategic priorities and available capacity. This level of support is generally accompanied by a letter of collaboration as part of a grant proposal submission.
Interested in connecting?
If you have a project that would benefit from CSMCE support, we ask that you fill out our Request for Services form to tell us more about what kind of support you are seeking.
If you have questions or just want to chat about what partnership might look like, feel free to reach out to us at scimath@unl.edu. We'd love to discuss how we might work together to accomplish shared goals.
Request for ServicesCommunity Agreements
Our work is guided by Community Agreements that establish shared expectations for how we collaborate. These agreements emphasize:
- Feedback and open communication
We prioritize regular, transparent communication and value feedback throughout every stage of a project. - Reciprocity and shared investment
Partnerships are most successful when all parties contribute expertise, effort, and perspective toward shared goals. - Strategic alignment
Projects must align with our strategic priorities related to STEM education, research, outreach, equity, and capacity building.
If alignment exists, we work with teams to determine the most appropriate level and form of partnership.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Formal partnerships typically include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines:
- Scope of work and roles
- Deliverables and timelines
- Funding arrangements (if applicable)
- Communication and decision‑making processes
The MOU helps ensure clarity and shared understanding for all partners and is especially important for grant‑funded projects.
Wrap up
Why Start with CSMCE?
Even when CSMCE is not the primary service provider for a project, we add value by:
- Helping teams think strategically about scope, roles, and partnerships
- Connecting researchers to appropriate expertise and resources
- Ensuring projects are structured for long‑term success and alignment with broader institutional goals
If you’re building a project and unsure what kind of support you need—or who you need on your team—CSMCE is a good place to start the conversation.