Dear Colleagues:

The Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) and The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, the overall goal of which is to foster "collaboration for the purpose of advancing outstanding science and the creation of a 'The Texas A&M University System - Weizmann community' that reflects a curiosity-driven, world-class standard of excellence."  As many of you know, the Weizmann Institute of Science is located in Rehovot,Israel, and is one of the top-ranking multidisciplinary research institutions in the world. Noted for its wide-ranging exploration of the sciences and technology, the Institute includes over 2,600 scientists, technicians and research students devoted to broad-based scientific discovery and scholarship (http://www.weizmann.ac.il/). Just last week, WIS Prof. Ada Yonath, along with two of her colleagues, received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

To achieve our overall goals for collaborative scientific exploration, WIS and TAMUS have adopted a novel approach that is specifically tailored for this initiative and that is expected to raise resources to fund collaborative research involving faculty and students at both institutions. A few key points from the MOU include:

·      Each institution will issue an open call for proposals for collaborative work between its scientists and scientists at the other institution. One of the scientists will act as a Principal Investigator (PI) and a collaborating scientist from the other institution will be the Cooperating Investigator (CI). The proposals will be submitted simultaneously to the appropriate authorities in both institutions.

·      Priority will be given to those scientists who truly want to collaborate, and where there is a high probability of achieving an exchange of Ph.D. and post-doctoral students.

·      The scientific areas receiving support will change over time, allowing for the best scientists and the best proposals to obtain funding.

·      Proposals should describe the aim of the research, why the collaboration is important, which facilities will be used in the respective institutions, who will be involved (doctoral students, post-docs, technicians), and a budget and its distribution between the two institutions.  Proposals should envisage at least three years of collaborative research. Budgets should be between US $50,000 and US $100,000 per year. The funds can be spent on salaries, stipends, equipment, travel, and periods of residence at the host institution.

The next step in developing our relationship with the Weizmann Institute and furthering this initiative is to highlight the exceptional research being done across The Texas A&M University System. Accordingly, we are requesting that faculty send brief statements of potential research projects for use in fundraising efforts to support this project. Potential research projects should be described on one page or less, and should include the following information:

·      Name of investigators at the WIS and TAMUS and their departmental affiliations (go to the Academics link at http://www.weizmann.ac.il/  for a listing of faculty and their specific research areas)

·      Title of potential project

·      Brief description of the potential project - should be aimed at the highly educated, but not-in-the-field audience

·      Potential involvement of students/post-docs

·      Potential impact or significance of the proposed project

TAMUS and WIS will use these pre-proposals to share with foundations and other sponsors who have already expressed high interest in this collaboration.  When the first $1M has been raised, a formal RFP will be issued according to the terms of the MOU.

Please forward your research summaries to WIS@TAMU.edu on or before the due date of November 13, 2009 (although earlier is better). Also, please send copies to your Department Head and your Dean.

Many of you were instrumental in formulating both the content and the spirit of this nascent collaboration.  Your efforts are appreciated on both sides of the world.  We do believe that this is a unique opportunity to foster collaborative scholarship between faculty and students at two great institutions, the results of which have nearly limitless potential.

Sincerely,

Brett P. Giroir, MD

Vice Chancellor for Research

The Texas A&M University System; Texas A&M University

Research Professor, Dwight Look College of Engineering;

Adjunct Professor, The Bush School of Government and Public Service

Dr. Jeffrey R. Seemann

Vice President for Research

Texas A&M University