Record-breaking Year for Grants at HSU

Humboldt State faculty, staff, and student researchers were awarded a record-breaking $36 million in new grant funding—an increase of $13 million from the previous year—administered and secured by HSU’s Sponsored Programs Foundation (HSU SPF).

“We’re excited to have achieved this milestone with the HSU research community,” says Kacie Flynn, Interim Executive Director of HSU SPF. “Humboldt State University hosts world-class researchers that conduct a wide range of innovative local, national, and international projects that continue to support student success. We’re proud to work alongside our faculty, staff, and student researchers to help make it happen.”

During the 2018-19 fiscal year, the University received 194 new awards, totaling $36.4 million. HSU SPF currently manages 566 active projects with a total award value of $87.8 million.

Several grant-funded projects are currently underway, including:
— $4.1 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration to the HSU-based Norcal Small Business Development Lead Center for the continued support of their network of Small Business Development Centers throughout Northern California.
— $2.3 million from the California Social Work Education Center to continue funding the CalSWEC Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Project. These stipend programs provide support and resources for Social Work students in exchange for a commitment to employment in a public or Tribal child welfare setting post-graduation.
— $400,000 from the National Science Foundation for research at primarily undergraduate institutions, awarded to Geography Professor Rosemary Sherriff and Forestry Professor Lucy Kerhoulas for their project: “RUI: Diversity of conifer responses to drought across competitive and geographic gradients in the Klamath Mountain Ecoregion.”
— $600,000 from the Ocean Protection Council to fund the Humboldt Offshore Wind Study under Arne Jacobson, Director of the Schatz Energy Research Center.

HSU SPF also administered $2 million in grant scholarships and stipends and $1.1 million in faculty and student travel. More than $6.2 million in academic grants support the educational mission of the campus, including $1.5 million in TRiO grants, and $851,000 for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) STEM grant, which supports Hispanic and low-income students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

Each year, HSU SPF provides nearly 1,000 job opportunities through administered funds. More than 300 students receive hands-on research experience while earning a steady income. And 575 faculty and staff benefit by being able to conduct research in their specialty field while receiving additional pay.

About HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation
HSU SPF is a nonprofit auxiliary of the University that administers externally funded grants and submits proposals to funding agencies on behalf of Humboldt State University. Learn more at research.humboldt.edu.