Earlier detection of markers for pancreatic cancer.
Better understanding of plant characteristics to help feed the world.
Innovations in biomechanics that could change the way stroke, autism, COPD, movement disorders and other conditions are treated.
New nanostructures — ultra-small materials that require highly specialized laboratory equipment — that could transform electronic, energy and medical products.
These are among the goals of University of Nebraska research supported by the Nebraska Research Initiative, a state-funded program that invests $11.4 million annually in equipment, facilities and grants that are building NU’s capacity and competitiveness in areas important to the state’s economy and quality of life.
The Nebraska Research Initiative, created by Gov. Kay Orr in 1987, turns 30 this year. In that time, according to a presentation Friday to the NU Board of Regents, the university has increased its federal research expenditures in science and engineering more than five-fold, from $32 million to $172 million, and has built a research enterprise that grows Nebraska’s economy by $385 million annually.
Most important, NRI-supported research is yielding advances in water and agriculture, cancer, medicine, food for health, engineering and other areas that impact the daily lives of Nebraskans and people around the world.
“University of Nebraska research is a major driver of economic vitality and well-being in our state. Our research enterprise wouldn’t be what it is today without support from the Nebraska Research Initiative,” said President Hank Bounds, Ph.D. “We’re leading the conversation in treating cancer and fighting infectious diseases like Ebola, in feeding the world, and in bringing our work from the lab to the marketplace — among other areas. That’s a credit to NRI investments that have laid the foundation for game-changing research that matters to the people of our state.”
Nebraska Research Initiative funds are managed by the Office of the Provost. NU faculty apply for funding in a competitive process, with multi-campus proposals encouraged. Funds are generally used for specialized research equipment, shared research facilities that allow for greater collaboration and efficiency, seed grants that can be leveraged into larger external awards, and proof-of-concept grants to help commercialize faculty research.