The Center for Industry Studies in the Swanson School of Engineering will award a maximum of five awards of up to $10,000 each for academic year 2024-25 to promote transdisciplinary collaboration between Pitt science and engineering.

The goal of this initiative is to advance transdisciplinary research concerning issues relevant to industry competitiveness and operations and/or public policy.

Proposals can be on a range of topics from technology and business practices to wider concerns about health care, energy and the environment.

Beyond the first year, supplemental grants of up to $5,000 may be available as follow-up awards.

Use of the funds will be limited to covering costs associated with the research project's initiation, such as graduate student support, data collection and analysis, field research, and project-related travel. Funds may not be used for faculty salaries or to purchase equipment.

One of the co-principal investigators must be from an engineering discipline; although, more than two co-PIs may be involved in the project. The co-PI submitting the proposal must be a tenured or tenure-stream Pitt faculty member. Proposals are welcome from all schools within the University.

Proposals must be submitted by June 15. Awards will be announced on Aug. 1, and funding for successful proposals will be available for a Sept. 1 project start date.

Questions and proposals can be sent to Bopaya Bidanda, director, Center for Industry Studies, at indstudy@pitt.edu.