University of Arkansas awards 15 research teams
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Seed funding of $1 million each for 15 research teams will be awarded through a new I³R (Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research) Watershed Grants Program, the University of Arkansas announced this week.
Why it matters: The effort aims to turn new campus collaborations into research projects that can attract outside funding and move discoveries toward practical use.
By the numbers: The 56 proposals involve 167 researchers from 10 colleges and units, the university said in its news release.
- I³R originally expected to fund seven to 10 projects.
- The projects cover a diverse set of areas, including artificial intelligence, autonomous transportation, food insecurity, rural mental health and biomedical research.
Catch up quick: I³R launched the program June 25 with support from five U of A colleges and the Division of Agriculture.
- The one-year grants were scheduled to begin Aug. 15. They fall into three categories: Headwaters grants for forming teams, Confluence grants for producing early research results and Delta grants for moving discoveries toward commercial use.
Zoom in: One team will study digital interventions for depression in rural Arkansas, where access to services remains a challenge, lead applicant Ana Bridges said.
- The researchers will use I³R's MRI imaging capabilities to examine "what works, for whom," Bridges said in the news release.
How it works: The program offers grants for working groups, early research and technology commercialization. Funded teams can also use I³R labs, imaging equipment, manufacturing resources and technical expertise.
What's next: I³R says it will work with unsuccessful applicants to identify potential collaborators, institute resources and other funding opportunities.