Frontiers Research Institute (FRI)

Charter

Mission

The mission of the Frontiers Research Institute (FRI) is to advance Michigan Technological University’s position as a global leader in discovery, innovation, and impact in both fundamental and applied research.

Scope and Activities

Frontiers brings together faculty and staff from across Michigan Technological University to enable and advance high-impact research initiatives. The Institute supports its members by:

  • Facilitating the development and submission of competitive research proposals.
  • Coordinating and supporting multi-investigator and interdisciplinary research teams.
  • Providing guidance and assistance with post-award management and compliance.
  • Encouraging collaboration across campus and with external academic, government, and industry partners.
  • Promoting our researchers and research projects to the broader research community by highlighting achievements, disseminating key findings through strategic communications channels, and increasing visibility through targeted outreach, partnerships, and crossplatform engagement.

Through these activities, Frontiers strengthens Michigan Tech’s research enterprise and enhances its national and international research profile.

Organizational Structure

Frontiers is a collaborative coalition of centers. The founding centers of Frontiers include:

  • Institute of Materials Processing (IMP)
  • Michigan Tech Aerospace Research Center (MARC)
  • Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI)
  • Research and Innovation in STEAM Education (RISE)

Additional centers may be established and/or added to Frontiers through the following
process:

  1. A formal proposal must be submitted to the Frontiers Executive Director. The proposal shall include, at a minimum, statement of purpose, mission statement, justification, proposed research development activities, governance structure, financial goals and strategic planning, space and facility requirements, list of prospective members, and an
    approach to resource allocation.
  2. The Executive Director and the Vice President for Research (VPR) will review the proposal and assess its scope, leadership, originality, likelihood of success, and alignment with the Frontiers mission.
  3. If approved by the Executive Director and the VPR, the new center will be added to the Frontiers Research Institute.

Membership

Membership in Frontiers includes:

  • The Frontiers Executive Director
  • Frontiers Director of Business Operations
  • Frontiers administrative and professional staff
  • All members, across all membership categories, of the affiliated centers as defined by each
    center’s individual charter

For purposes of Institute-level activities, all individuals affiliated through the centers shall be collectively referred to as “Frontiers members,” regardless of their specific membership designation within a center. 

Executive Leadership

The Executive Director provides overall leadership and strategic oversight of Frontiers and shall:

  • Be appointed by the VPR
  • Serve as Chair of the Frontiers Directors Committee
  • Supervise the Director of Business Operations
  • Exercise discretionary authority over Institute-level resource allocation and administrative
    operations

The Director of Business Operations shall:

  • Be appointed by the Executive Director
  • Supervise Frontiers administrative staff
  • Serve as a member of the Frontiers Directors Committee
  • Work in collaboration with the Executive Director on the day-to-day management of the Institute
  • Perform additional duties as defined in the position description

FRONTIERS Directors Committee

The Frontiers Directors Committee shall consist of the Executive Director, the Director of Business Operations, and the directors of the affiliated centers. The Committee shall meet on a regular basis, with additional ad hoc members appointed at the discretion of the Executive Director as needed. The Directors Committee is primarily responsible for long-term strategic planning and serves an advisory role in the Institute operations. The Directors Committee or the Executive Director may establish standing or ad hoc committees as appropriate and shall define their scope, responsibilities, duration, and membership.

Financial Management and Resource Allocation

Frontiers is supported through the Vice President for Research office and operates in accordance with policies established by that office.

The Executive Director and Director of Business Operations shall jointly oversee financial management and the allocation of resources to the affiliated centers, consistent with guidance from the VPR’s office. They will report on institute matters to the VPR periodically, as requested and scheduled by the VPR.

Charter Amendments

Proposed amendments to this Charter may be initiated by the Frontiers Directors Committee and shall be approved by a simple majority vote of the Committee followed by approval of the VPR, subject to any additional institutional requirements.

Last Updated: February 2026

Downloadable version:  Frontiers Charter