Funding for the new year

The University of Missouri’s Division of Research, Innovation and Impact awarded the second round of 2025-26 Research Council grants to faculty investigators who submitted proposals in October.

This internal funding of up to $15,000 supports research, scholarship and creative endeavors that lead to book contracts, juried theatre and music performances, art exhibits, peer-reviewed articles and the generation of pilot data to bolster proposals for external funding.

Physics Professor Ping Yu applied for a Research Council grant to obtain seed funding that would enable his team to generate preliminary data and establish the technical feasibility of their quantum photonics project. Yu, who is collaborating with colleagues at the MU Research Reactor and the College of Engineering, applies new physical processes in optics and optical imaging to create innovative materials, devices and biomedical imaging systems.

"This initial support allows us to integrate neutron irradiation and ultrafast laser processing, develop the necessary experimental infrastructure and perform proof-of-concept studies," Yu said. "The preliminary results will position us to pursue larger external funding opportunities and accelerate the long-term development of silicon carbide-based quantum photonic devices."

Senthilnathan Palaniyandi, assistant professor of medicine in hematology and medical oncology and a NextGen Precision Health investigator, is using his Research Council grant to study the therapeutic potential of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematological malignancies.

"My primary objective is to obtain expert feedback and generate critical preliminary data, which will facilitate a deeper understanding of the role of cystathionine γ-lyase in specific immune cell types and advance the development of translational therapeutic strategies in collaboration with Dr. Gerhard Hildebrandt, MD, director of Ellis Fischel Cancer Center." 

Palaniyandi said that although he, too, hopes his grant will generate preliminary data for a future federal grant, just going through the application process gives investigators invaluable feedback from both peer reviewers and the Research Council's scientific review committee.

Yu advises faculty interested in applying for a Research Council grant to make sure they have a clear, well-defined research plan with achievable goals.

"It is also important to think carefully about the scientific rationale and long-term impact of the project, including how the initial results can serve as a foundation for future external funding and broader research directions," Yu said.

There are two more opportunities to apply for funding through InfoReady. Deadlines:
•    Jan. 20 – 5 p.m. (awardees will be notified by March 13)
•    March 30 – 5 p.m. (awardees will be notified by May 15)

For more information, email Internal Funding staff.

Below are investigators with newly awarded Research Council grants. 
 

ARTS, HUMANITIES, SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS