Recipients of Type 1 Grand Challenges Grants; Type 2 Advancements Announced

Today we are announcing the recipients of the 2024 Grand Challenges Type 1 Grants, a key initiative of the UT System to turn bold ideas into impactful action. We are also announcing Type 2 proposals that have been selected to advance to the next round of the competition.

These grants provide essential seed funding to address three pivotal areas: advancing K-12 education, strengthening rural communities and overcoming addiction.

A total of 27 Type 1 proposals, each eligible for up to $100,000 per project, have been awarded more than $2.6 million in funding:

• 10 grant awards in advancing K-12 education: $987,500
• 10 grant awards in strengthening rural communities: $965,000
• 7 grant awards in overcoming addiction: $682,500

The Grand Challenges Grants embody our commitment to tackling the pressing issues facing our state today. The passion, innovation and collaborative spirit demonstrated by our faculty, staff and researchers is truly inspiring. I am excited to see how these projects will make a tangible impact on the lives of Tennesseans and beyond.

Proposals were evaluated across several key categories to ensure the highest potential for transformative impact. Scoring focused on: the innovative and transformative nature of the ideas; the level of collaboration among team members, campuses and institutes; the anticipated impact of the proposed projects; their long-term sustainability; and the overall quality of the submissions. These criteria were designed to identify and support initiatives that not only address critical issues but also have the potential to create lasting positive change for Tennesseans.

Additionally, nine Type 2 proposals were selected to advance to a second round where they will participate in a pitch competition later this year. Type 2 proposals are eligible for up to $500,000 in funding per project.

This year’s Grand Challenge Grants competition saw 110 proposals submitted from teams across all UT campuses and institutes. These proposals were rigorously reviewed by a panel of experts, with the top-scoring submissions forwarded to the UT System Executive Leadership Team for final selection.

As we continue to build the greatest decade in UT history, these projects exemplify our collective effort to create a brighter future for all Tennesseans.

For more information about the Grand Challenge Grants, please visit Grand Challenges.