Curbing the spread of malaria, catching breast cancer before it becomes deadly, and creating an immersive archive on the Giza pyramids are the goals of just a few of the 20 faculty research projects recently awarded grants through the Frontiers of Innovation for Societal Impact Fund.
Through Harvard’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR), the fund provided more than $4 million to boost projects that promise to tackle a societal challenge and generate industry support and collaboration. The fund is the latest example of the University’s longstanding efforts to collaborate with industry to advance scholarship and translate research discoveries into societal benefits.
“We are delighted to stand up the Frontiers of Innovation for Societal Impact Fund,” said University Provost John F. Manning. “It will support work at the forefront of innovation, leveraging the latest technologies to bring valuable new insights into their fields and to society more broadly.”
John H. Shaw, Senior Vice Provost for Research, agreed, saying, “Harvard’s success relies not only on its excellence in research, but its ability to translate that research into tangible benefits to society.”
This year’s awardees applied for funding along two tracks. Spark awards, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, support projects that hold promise for industry engagement. Ascend awards, ranging from $250,000 to $750,000, support the expansion of existing project areas that involve industry. Funding terms span one to two years.
