September 28, 2009

Federal Stimulus Grants Support Diverse Research at UCSB

With funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), more than 40 grants already have been awarded to research projects at UC Santa Barbara. In addition, 79 proposals are currently under review by their respective federal granting agencies. Also known as the economic stimulus package, the ARRA was passed by Congress in February.

The grants, many of which come from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy, support a broad range of research at UCSB. Among the faculty members receiving grants are those in the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Materials, Geography, and Psychology. Also awarded grants are researchers at the Institute for Crustal Studies; the Institute for Computational Earth System Science; the Neuroscience Research Institute; the Marine Science Institute; and the Institute for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research.

"These ARRA grants are further recognition of the very high caliber of research being conducted at UC Santa Barbara," said Chancellor Henry T. Yang. "We appreciate this important support for the pioneering research and teaching of our faculty and researchers, who are working not only to advance the frontiers of knowledge but also to serve our state and nation and help our society."

Said Michael Witherell, UCSB's vice chancellor for research: "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act represents an unprecedented pulse of investment in basic research, and our researchers are having great success in competing for those funds. By funding our new Center on Energy Efficient Materials (CEEM) here, the Department of Energy has given an enormous boost to our research on how to improve energy efficiency. ARRA funds will also advance UCSB's efforts in science education and our research in a wide range of areas, including computer science, biological imaging, and the effects of ocean acidification."

A complete list of the research projects currently being funded through the ARRA can be found here.

About UC Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara is a leading research institution that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. Our academic community of faculty, students, and staff is characterized by a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that is responsive to the needs of our multicultural and global society. All of this takes place within a living and learning environment like no other, as we draw inspiration from the beauty and resources of our extraordinary location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.