Research Tool Talks

Day and Time: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Noon

Presenter:  Evy Gonzales, Director of Sponsored Research Initiatives, College of Education

Abstract: Finding a grant is about more than searching databases—it is about identifying sponsors whose missions, priorities, and funding portfolios align with your research. This workshop introduces participants to the federal, state, foundation, and internal funding landscape while demonstrating practical strategies for locating opportunities using tools such as Grants.gov, Pivot-RP, and agency funding databases. The workshop will also introduce the importance of evaluating sponsor missions, agency structures, and funding priorities to determine whether an opportunity is a strong fit before investing time in proposal development.

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Day and Time: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Noon

Presenter: Arlene Salazar, Collections Librarian, Scholarly Resources, TXST University Libraries

Abstract: Arlene Salazar, liaison to the College of Education, will cover best practices for fully utilizing library databases for literature searches. She will highlight database tools and features that support database searching. She will also share search tips that will help you conduct more effective searches and will cover related library services and resources as well. 

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Day and Time: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at Noon

Presenter: Dr. Duncan Selby, Research Coordinator

Abstract: Organizations that provide grants (sponsors) are trying to solve problems that matter to them. The applicant’s role is to provide solutions to the sponsors’ problems along with reassurance that grant funds will be well spent. The goal of the applicant is to secure a contract with the sponsor, with the sponsor delivering funds and the applicant subsequently delivering the promised solutions(s). The focus of this presentation is to help applicants develop the “Contract Mindset” so that their application is designed from the start to fit the contract mold, thus making it more understandable by sponsors and more efficient to implement.

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Day and Time: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Noon

Presenter: Dr. Xuan Zhou, Data Curation Specialist, Research and Data Services, TXST University Libraries

Abstract: Data Management Plans (DMPs) have become an increasingly important component of research projects and grant applications. This session provides an introduction to what DMPs are, why funding agencies require them, and how they support responsible research practices throughout the research lifecycle. Participants will learn about the key elements of a DMP and how effective planning can enhance research efficiency, promote research reproducibility, facilitate data sharing, and support open science and FAIR data principles.

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Day and Time: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at Noon

Presenter: Dr. Xuan Zhou, Data Curation Specialist, Research and Data Services, TXST University Libraries

Abstract: Building on the concepts introduced in Part 1, this hands-on session will introduce participants to the data management planning tools and support services available through Texas State University. Attendees will learn how to use platforms such as DMPTool to create funder-compliant Data Management Plans, identify appropriate repositories for data sharing and preservation, and access campus resources that support research data management throughout the project lifecycle. The session will also highlight recent NSF and NIH data sharing requirements, emerging Department of Education expectations, and practical strategies for adapting DMPs to different funding agencies and research contexts.

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Day and Time: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at Noon

Presenters: Dr. Emily Summers, Associate Professor, and Ray Cordero, Director, TRIO  

Abstract: In Part One of this TRIO research workshop series, faculty will learn about the TRIO research model and long-term goals for the Department of Education and other agency funding opportunities as they relate to TRIO and faculty use of TRIO data for research. Faculty will learn about the mission of TRIO, the history of TRIO programs nationally and at Texas State, and current initiatives that TXST TRIO programs are prioritizing. Attendees will gain an understanding of each program’s measurable aims, evaluation plans, and other data points, as well as the faculty and doctoral student opportunities for collaborations with TRIO programs. 

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Day and Time: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at Noon

Presenters: Dr. Emily Summers, Associate Professor, and Ray Cordero, Director, TRIO  

Abstract: In Part Two of this TRIO research workshop series, faculty will learn about the pathway for research collaboration with TRIO programs. Participants will understand the grant proposal application timeline for current and future awards, as well as ways faculty can collaborate with TRIO on research data that will be gathered with current and future proposals. Applicants for access to TRIO data will be able to share their areas of interest and find possibilities for collaborations with current data with future data and how the collaborations can ultimately result in published research and/or new grant proposals.

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Day and Time: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at Noon

Presenters: Dr. Emily Summers, Associate Professor, and Ray Cordero, Director, TRIO  

Abstract: In Part Three of this TRIO research workshop series, faculty will learn about the application process to access completed TRIO evaluation, annual performance report, and other TRIO data sets. Researchers will be able to see the types of data in both the annual performance reports and the summative evaluations to better understand data sets TRIO produces, and what types of research collaborations may be possible for future data sets that are produced. Participants may begin an application toward the access and approval process to conduct research in collaboration with TRIO.

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