Coronavirus Research Seed Fund image.
Published on:

The emergence of COVID-19 has reminded the world of our hyper-connectivity and susceptibility to pandemics. An effective response to SARS-CoV-2 and other future emerging pathogens, requires the scientific community to rapidly assess key knowledge gaps and respond with research to improve prevention, diagnostics, treatment, infection control practices and public health policies. Penn State has world-class expertise at all scales - spanning from the molecular to engineering to population health - and is therefore uniquely poised to play a leading role the public health response to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

The Huck Institutes seek proposals that will utilize our unique research strengths to rapidly contribute to the Coronavirus response. Projects might include, for example, the development of epidemiological models or empirical studies to understand transmission and intervention impact; decision support around prevention and control measures; local screening to get tightly resolved and operationally valuable data; development of novel engineering control tools, biosensors, and environmental sensors; development of in vitro or in vivo models; development of improved diagnostics; the study of human behavior and health messaging with respect to transmission control; the study of animal reservoirs; and economic and business analyses, among others. Proposals should seek to leverage particular expertise of PIs or current related research in their laboratories. The proposed research should also have clear potential for improving public health and the capacity to rapidly leverage external funding. We welcome proposals to establish interdisciplinary teams.

For more information, please see the attached flyer or visit the submission site by clicking here.