New COS Pivot research funding tool now at NC State

Carol Ashcraft shared this note with the NCSU funding listserv. I realize that Community of Science (COS) is often not that useful for social scientists and humanists, but it has become much more useful in the past four years, and I have found interesting opportunities there, many of which I share with you on this blog. So taking this new tool for a test drive might be a good idea. Here's Carol's note, after the jump:

Refworks/COS has announced the launch of the new research funding tool, COS Pivot.  COS Pivot is now available at NC State during a free trial.  See below for information on how it works, how to provide feedback during the trial, and how to register for free webinars showing how to use it.  

HOW IT WORKS:  COS Pivot's proprietary connector algorithm compiles pre-populated researcher profiles unique to NC State (and others) and matches them to current funding opportunities in the COS database. This capacity allows users to search for a funding opportunity and instantly view matching faculty from inside or outside our institution. Conversely, a search for a scholar will link to matching funding opportunities.

New workflow tools in Pivot offer the ability to:

• Track funding opportunities and organize profiles into folders to keep the highest priority opportunities in a special Active category; 
• Save searches and organize those searches into folders; and 
• Receive weekly updates on saved searches and track active opportunities.  

NC STATE'S TRIAL PERIOD:  REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK  

COS Pivot will be offered in a free trial--in parallel with access to the traditional COS services--until our current UNC GA subscription expires Oct. 31.  During this trial period, you are encouraged to take full advantage of COS Pivot and provide your feedback via a survey being developed for this purpose.  NC State will use your feedback to assess the performance and value of COS Pivot. 

TRAINING:  "CAMP PIVOT"

To support the launch of Pivot, Refworks/COS offers Camp Pivot 2011, a series of webinars dedicated to helping you get the most out of Pivot.  From navigating the Pivot homepage to working with Pivot profiles, you can learn how Pivot works.  Registration is required, so click here (or contact me for the link) to register for sessions the weeks of July 25th and August 1st.  For faculty, "Navigating the Pivot Home Page for the Researcher/Faculty Member" is recommended (July 28 and August 4).

To use COS Pivot, go to http://pivot.cos.com . Carol Linelle Ashcraft, Manager
Research Funding Opportunities
Research Development Office
Office of Research and Innovation
NC State University
C.B. 7570, Corporate Research I
1021 Main Campus Drive, 3008
Raleigh, NC 27695-7570
919-513-2466Fax: 919-513-0156

carol_ashcraft@ncsu.edu