In this project, the toolbox dialogue initiative center (tdic) will continue to develop and implement programming that builds collaborative capacity within the three phase 2 NASA drive science centers…

Michigan State University has been awarded a $304,242 grant by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to continue developing and implementing collaborative capacity-building programming for the Phase 2 NASA Heliophysics Drive Science Centers (DSCs). Under this single-source award, the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative Center (TDIC) at Michigan State University will support principal investigators, project managers, and other key personnel across three DSCs in establishing strategic communication and collaboration frameworks. TDIC will leverage its dialogue-based, capacity-building methodology—refined through prior collaborations with NASA and the National Science Foundation's Convergence Programs—to facilitate deep knowledge integration and interdisciplinary collaboration within these large research centers. This effort builds on successful Phase 1 work and addresses the complex coordination requirements inherent to multi-disciplinary research organizations.

The grant, awarded on January 3, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of January 2, 2027, carries no set-aside designation. Work will be performed at Michigan State University's East Lansing, Michigan campus. This award reflects NASA's commitment to enhancing the operational effectiveness of its Heliophysics DSCs through structured organizational development and team science support, recognizing that sustained collaborative capacity is essential for advancing heliophysics research across interconnected scientific disciplines.

In this project, the toolbox dialogue initiative center (tdic) will continue to develop and implement programming that builds collaborative capacity within the three phase 2 NASA drive science centers (dscs). Dscs emphasize collaboration and deep knowledge integration across multiple disciplines, both of which are complex and require close attention in the context of a large research center. We have successfully worked with the dscs during phase 1, modeling our effort on our collaboration with the national science foundation (NSF) convergence programs. Our previous work with NASA and our ongoing work with several NSF programs has enabled US to adapt our dialogue-based, capacity-building approach to support deep integration pursued by large research groups. Tdic s program for the phase 2 dscs will support the principal investigators (PIS), project managers (PMS), and other key personnel in thinking strategically about communication and collaboration within their centers and in managing the processes required for integrative research.