Eight research teams have been awarded $229,000 from the Illinois Innovation Network. | Stock Photo
Eight research teams have been awarded $229,000 from the Illinois Innovation Network. | Stock Photo
Eight research teams received $229,000 in grants from the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) as part of its second round of funding to select ag-tech, vaccine distribution and the teacher pipeline.
The funding comes from the networks Sustaining Illinois program. This program fosters collaborative study between public universities centering on economics, health and well-being. Those higher education institutions also address equity and inclusion within their research.
The eight research teams that received a grant include the design and development of a mobile child vaccination program; mitigating future biodiversity threats; developing a novel cancer-morality index; building a sustainable STEM ecosystem; developing forever chemicals and PFAS detection, fate and transportation; developing robotic technology for crop production; establishing caregiver registry; and developing sustainable water supplies for the state, the university said in a release.
"These eight new projects in the Sustaining Illinois program build upon the strengths of our state's public universities," University of Illinois System interim Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation Jay Walsh said in a university release. "All of the proposals we received were excellent, and we are excited to see these funded projects move forward and benefit Illinois' people."
The eight teams bring the sustaining Illinois' total to 12 projects. The first four were announced in July, the university said.
"The proposals were required to include researchers from at least two IIN hubs and be completed within one year of receiving funding," the university said about picking the eight research teams. "Proposals were evaluated on their alignment with IIN principles, how well they address their stated areas of sustainability, the scope of their work and level of collaboration, as well as their potential for further work."
Fifteen university hubs make up IIN throughout the state. The schools aim to improve the state's economy with research, entrepreneurship and workforce development.
The University of Illinois System and Northern Illinois University provided the funding for the awards.
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