In response to the increasing difficulty of securing federal and state funding for research, Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has launched a new grant initiative aimed at fostering innovative research projects that advance scientific knowledge and improve global health.
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The college recently awarded its first three grants under the newly created Pump Priming Research Program, which supports interdisciplinary projects with significant potential for external funding. The initial recipients are Viveka Vadyvaloo, director of the Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, studying the transmission of bubonic plague; Heather Koehler from the School of Molecular Biosciences, who is researching Mpox; and Jason Park from the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, focusing on vector-pathogen interactions. Vadyvaloo and Koehler each received $125,000, while Park was awarded $150,000.
Jon Oatley, the college’s associate dean for research and the program's architect, noted that previous intramural grants were limited to around $20,000, restricting the scope of research. Oatley expressed that the new program aims to enable larger, more ambitious projects and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. He highlighted the desire to support initiatives that could significantly impact knowledge and attract sustainable funding.
The program is funded by the college’s Strategic Research Fund, drawing from revenue generated by faculty research activities. Oatley anticipates that these grants will be offered at least biannually.
In response to a call for research proposals, the program received 12 letters of interest, leading to nine full proposals submitted for evaluation. An internal committee of faculty reviewers assessed the proposals and invited a select group for oral defenses, akin to graduate thesis presentations. The chosen projects were recognized for their scientific merit, originality, and potential for societal impact.
“These projects not only excelled scientifically but also showed promise for external funding and community benefit,” Oatley stated. He emphasized that the initiative is geared towards paving the way for scalable research capable of yielding significant data and securing further funding.
Vadyvaloo expressed her gratitude for being among the inaugural grant recipients, noting the program's potential to empower researchers and expand WSU’s research capabilities.
“This initiative stimulates innovative exploration, helps gather preliminary data, and lays a solid foundation for future grant applications, benefiting both research faculty and trainees,” she remarked.