UC offers grants for research projects to fight COVID-19

The University of California said it will provide $2 million in seed funding to scientists across the state to help jump-start high impact research projects and accelerate urgently-needed breakthroughs to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The university said it administers funding through three statewide research grants focused on breast cancer, tobacco-related disease and HIV/AIDS, among others, and will support the new projects on COVID-19 research. “Given that people who suffer from breast cancer, HIV and tobacco-related diseases are also among those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19, it made sense to begin urgently directing some of that research funding to this global pandemic,” Theresa Maldonado, UC’s vice president of systemwide research and innovation, said in a statement.

Maldonado said, “Our goal is to seed work in areas that can have a big impact in a short amount of time and to help the California communities that need it most.”

UC said awards of up to $25,000 are available immediately. The university said the goal is to help researchers begin work as soon as possible because COVID-19 continues to affect thousands of people globally.

UC said it will evaluate research proposals as soon as they are received. Priority will be given to proposals that meet three criteria: a strong potential for impacting the pandemic in the near term, the ability of researchers to start work right away and a research focus that will help California’s most vulnerable populations.

Leave a Reply

The Exedra comments section is an essential part of the site. The goal of our comments policy is to help ensure it is a vibrant yet civil space. To participate, we ask that Exedra commenters please provide a first and last name. Please note that comments expressing congratulations or condolences may be published without full names. (View our full Comments Policy.)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *