Three CEHS researchers receive funding through Grand Challenges competition

28 Aug 2023    

Three projects led by researchers in the College of Education and Human Sciences were among the 11 new Grand Challenges projects announced Aug. 28 by Chancellor Rodney Bennett and Bob Wilhelm, vice chancellor for research and economic development. 

“The Grand Challenges are an opportunity to elevate high-priority research areas for the benefit of society and especially our communities, which is our responsibility as a land-grant institution,” Bennett said. “I commend the faculty for their ingenuity and ambitious ideas. Addressing today’s complex issues requires a willingness to try new approaches, consider multiple perspectives and work across disciplines.”

Catalyst Award

Lisa Knoche, research associate professor and co-director of the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools received a Catalyst Award for her project, “Inspiring Outcomes for Children through Equitable Early Childhood Education Experiences (E4).”

Nearly 28 million children in the U.S. experience major childhood adversity. Events such as neglect, parental substance abuse, mental illness, racism and bias introduce significant stress to children’s developing brains, putting them at risk for academic difficulties and health and behavioral issues – all of which have consequences into adulthood.

Knoche will lead a large-scale program to deliver proven, evidence-based interventions in early childhood settings using a multi-pronged approach. The interventions aim to boost children’s social and emotional skills, which offer protective factors that improve resilience and reduce the risk of future problems. The team also will promote skills in family engagement and deliver mental wellness programs with the goal of preparing educators to address at-risk children’s needs while reducing professional burnout. The project also supports development of an innovative, equitable method for measuring children’s social-emotional skills. The project team includes 19 faculty, plus university, state and community partners. Several Nebraska communities will be involved in this program. A five-year, $3.44 million Grand Challenges initiative award supports the project.

Planning Grant Awards 

• Michelle Hughes, professor of special education and communication disorders, “Improving Health Care Access for Underserved Populations.”
• Julie Tippens, associate professor of child, youth and family studies, “Developing an Interdisciplinary Global Forced Migration and Health Collaborative.”

Planning grants were selected through an internal review process. Review panels were composed of volunteers that included current and emeriti faculty and staff.

“I’m especially excited about this group of funded projects because they represent many of our university’s research strengths,” said Bob Wilhelm, vice chancellor for research and economic development. “I believe the Grand Challenges have inspired the faculty to make new connections and see their work differently, ensuring that Nebraska research is used to benefit the state, nation and world in meaningful ways.”

The full list of funded projects and teams is available on the Grand Challenges website.

The Grand Challenges initiative aligns with the university’s N2025 aim to increase the impact of research and creative activity and to foster interdisciplinary endeavors.

A request for proposals for the 2024 Grand Challenges grant cycle will be released in early October. Details will be announced on the Grand Challenges website.