2026 Research Seed Funding Awardees
Intro
The UIC School of Public Health (SPH) seed funding program develops early-stage, cutting-edge research that contributes to the school’s mission to protect and improve the health and well-being of the people of the metropolitan Chicago area, the State of Illinois, the nation, and others throughout the world.
SPH annually awards seed grants to innovative research projects and early-career investigators. Seed funding allows SPH to support individual faculty research projects. Specifically, seed funding supports preliminary and formative research. These competitive awards fund one year of research and prepare awardees to secure future external funding, primarily from federal organizations, and grow their research program at SPH.
We’re always looking to grow our seed funding program for future years. There are two great ways you can be involved. (1) Apply for a future seed funding award–Be sure to read about the application here and be prepared to submit for the next round of funding in Fall 2026; (2) Spread the word–Do you know someone who might be interested in donating to the SPH Seed Funding Program? Share our website and help us continue to fund exciting new research.
2026 Awardees
Machine Learning for Suicide Risk Among Youth of Color
This project will develop an equity‑centered machine learning approach to better identify suicide risk among youth of color, using a large and diverse UI Health electronic health record dataset. The work aims to improve early identification and prevention efforts while advancing fair and inclusive uses of data in public health practice.
Metagenomic Surveillance of Antimicrobial‑Resistant Pathogens in Hospital Wastewater and Surrounding Surface Water at Discharge Sites in Kathmandu, Nepal
This study will examine how hospital wastewater contributes to the spread of antimicrobial resistance in surrounding environments in Kathmandu, Nepal. By testing low‑cost genomic tools for real‑time monitoring, the project seeks to strengthen infection control, wastewater management, and antimicrobial resistance surveillance in low‑resource settings.
Understanding the Mental Health Paradox Among Older Black and White Adults
This project investigates racial differences in depressive symptoms and diagnosis among older adults to better understand a persistent mental health paradox. Using a life‑course approach, the study will examine how symptom patterns change across generations and how they relate to future diagnoses of major depressive disorder.
Professional Identity Trauma Scale: Development and Psychometric Evaluation in Academic Public Health Faculty