Nascent Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives (NIRIs) bring together faculty, researchers, students, and partners with shared interests from across the Georgia Tech community to tackle complex challenges that require interdisciplinary inquiry and collaboration. They serve as incubators for innovation, fostering new areas of research that can evolve into full-fledged interdisciplinary research institutes (IRIs) or centers. The VPIR office has established a structured pathway to support interdisciplinary teams—offering guidance, strategic resources, and opportunities to engage with key stakeholders. We actively encourage Nascent Initiatives that address pressing global and societal challenges in alignment with Georgia Tech’s mission. 

Explore the nascent initiative process to learn how interdisciplinary teams can establish and expand their research efforts. For questions, please contact Savannah White in the Office of the Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research.

Flowchart showing Georgia Tech's process for creating a new interdisciplinary research initiative (IRI). Researchers first develop a preliminary vision and organizational purpose. Decision points evaluate relevance to Georgia Tech's academic colleges and GTRI, potential overlap with existing IRIs, and alignment with strategic priorities. Depending on outcomes, school or college leadership and the Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research (VPIR) facilitate discussions and assessments. If approved, VPIR appoints a multidisciplinary faculty task force to develop a strategic plan, gather stakeholder input, analyze findings, and provide recommendations. VPIR then works with university leaders to make decisions regarding future investments and organizational structure. Final decisions are communicated by the VPIR office, with contact information provided for additional guidance.