Building Research Capacity Through AI, Cyberinfrastructure, and Cybersecurity
Research is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence, advanced computing, growing cybersecurity requirements, and new national research resources are creating opportunities for institutions and researchers, but they are also raising practical questions:
- What infrastructure and expertise do researchers actually need?
- How can institutions take advantage of resources such as ACCESS and the NAIRR?
- What security and data governance requirements need to be considered?
- Where can institutions find partners, expertise, and funding?
- How can faculty turn an idea into a viable research project or proposal?
This two-day workshop, hosted by Florida Memorial University and the MS-CC, will bring together faculty, researchers, students, research administrators, technology professionals, and institutional leaders to explore these questions through practical sessions, hands-on activities, and collaborative planning.
Participants will learn how AI, cyberinfrastructure, cybersecurity, national research resources, partnerships, and funding opportunities can work together to strengthen research capacity.
What You’ll Gain
By the end of the workshop, participants will be better prepared to:
- Identify the computing, data, security, and workforce capabilities needed to support modern research.
- Understand how national resources such as ACCESS and the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) can support research and education.
- Identify practical opportunities for applying AI in research and teaching.
- Recognize cybersecurity, research security, and data governance considerations that affect research projects.
- Identify potential collaborators and strategic partners.
- Connect research ideas and institutional priorities with potential funding opportunities.
- Develop concrete next steps for advancing a research project, proposal, or institutional capacity-building effort.
No prior experience with AI or advanced computing is required.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is designed for participants interested in strengthening research and research-support capabilities, including:
- Faculty and researchers
- Graduate and undergraduate students
- Research administrators and research development professionals
- IT, cybersecurity, and research computing professionals
- Academic and institutional leaders
Participants may attend the full workshop or select sessions most relevant to their work.
October 8–9, 2026
Event Details
Day 1: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Day 2: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
In-Person Location:
Florida Memorial University (Building / Room TBD)
Virtual Participation
Workshop Schedule
Day 1: Building the Foundation for Research Capacity
Day 1 examines the technology, infrastructure, security, partnerships, and funding landscape supporting modern research. Participants will explore both the resources available today and the capabilities institutions need to leverage them.
| Time | Agenda |
|---|---|
| 8:30–9:00 AM | Registration, Breakfast, and Networking |
| 9:00–9:30 AM |
Welcome and Workshop Overview Welcome from Florida Memorial University and MS-CC, followed by an introduction to the goals of the workshop and the resources available to participating institutions. |
| 9:30–10:15 AM |
The Changing Research Technology Landscape What does it take to support competitive research today? This session will examine how AI, advanced computing, cloud platforms, data infrastructure, and cybersecurity are changing research and the capabilities institutions need to participate effectively. Topics will include:
|
| 10:15–10:30 AM | Break |
| 10:30–11:30 AM |
Panel: Building Research Capacity Through Strategic Partnerships Few institutions can build every research capability internally. This panel will explore how universities can use regional partnerships, national cyberinfrastructure, shared resources, and research collaborations to expand their capabilities. Potential participants include representatives from:
|
| 11:30–12:15 PM |
Cybersecurity, Research Security, and Data Governance Modern research increasingly depends on sensitive data, shared infrastructure, cloud platforms, and collaboration across institutions. This session will introduce practical considerations for protecting research environments while enabling collaboration, including research security, cybersecurity, data governance, and responsible access to research resources. |
| 12:15–1:15 PM | Lunch and Networking |
| 1:15–2:00 PM |
AI in Research and Teaching: From Interest to Practical Use Where can AI actually improve research and teaching? This session will examine practical applications of generative AI, machine learning, and emerging AI tools across academic workflows while addressing limitations, responsible use, and the infrastructure required to support AI-enabled work. |
| 2:00–3:00 PM |
Hands-On: Accessing National Research Cyberinfrastructure Participants will explore the national research computing ecosystem and learn how researchers can access advanced computing resources without building those resources locally. The session will introduce resources and pathways available through MS-CC, ACCESS, NAIRR, and related programs. |
| 3:00–3:15 PM | Break |
| 3:15–4:15 PM |
Funding Research Infrastructure, AI, and Cybersecurity How do institutions turn capability gaps and research ideas into fundable projects? This session will introduce relevant funding opportunities and discuss how researchers and institutions can position projects involving AI, cyberinfrastructure, cybersecurity, research capacity, and workforce development. |
| 4:15–5:00 PM |
Collaboration Exchange Participants will identify shared research interests, institutional needs, available expertise, and potential opportunities for collaboration. The goal is simple: leave with people you should continue talking to. |
Day 2: From Research Ideas to Action
Day 2 shifts from understanding the landscape to developing projects. Participants will work with peers and facilitators to strengthen research ideas, identify resources and collaborators, and define practical next steps.
| Time | Agenda |
|---|---|
| 9:00–9:30 AM | Breakfast and Networking |
| 9:30–10:15 AM |
What Makes a Competitive Research Proposal? This session will examine the elements that turn an interesting idea into a compelling proposal, including:
|
| 10:15–11:30 AM |
Grant Development Workshop: From Idea to Project Concept Participants will work individually or in small groups to develop an early-stage project concept. Using a guided framework, participants will identify:
|
| 11:30–12:15 PM |
Lightning Talks: Research Ideas and Collaboration Opportunities Participants will have an opportunity to briefly share research interests, project concepts, available expertise, or collaboration needs. The goal is not a polished presentation. It is to help people find one another. |
| 12:15–1:00 PM | Lunch and Networking |
| 1:00–2:30 PM |
Research Collaboration Studio Participants will work with peers, MS-CC staff, and invited experts to develop their project concepts further. Depending on participant needs, working groups may focus on:
|
| 2:30–3:00 PM |
From Workshop to Action The workshop will conclude with participants developing a short action plan identifying:
|
Virtual Participation
Virtual participation will be available for selected workshop sessions.
Registered virtual participants will receive Zoom access information before the event. Sessions involving intensive small-group collaboration may have limited virtual participation.
About MS-CC
MS-CC works with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), and other minority-serving institutions to strengthen the cyberinfrastructure, skills, partnerships, and research capabilities needed to advance research and education.
Through workshops, technical assistance, research collaborations, workforce development, and connections to national cyberinfrastructure resources, MS-CC helps institutions translate technology access into practical research capacity.
Parking
Florida Memorial University is located at 15800 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33054. Campus security will be notified that outside guests will be entering for the MS-CC/FMU AI/Cybersecurity/Advanced Computing Workshop. They will receive a temporary parking pass. When they pass the guard house, they will continue straight until the stop sign. At the stop sign make a right and continue around the curve. Parking near the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts is the best option.
Click here to access the Florida Memorial University Campus Map.
Hotel Information
6842 Main St, Miami Lakes, FL 33014
(305) 821-1150
Reimbursement Policy
Information regarding eligible travel support and reimbursement requirements will be provided to approved participants, where applicable.
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Florida Memorial University Workshop
This two-day workshop, hosted by Florida Memorial University and the MS-CC, will bring together faculty, researchers, students, research administrators, technology professionals, and institutional leaders to explore these questions through practical sessions, hands-on activities, and collaborative planning.