Purdue to be part of a $70 million consortium for global development
Monday, September 3, 2018
By Jeong Park
The federal government will give up to $70 million to a consortium that includes Purdue University that will fund projects that aim to help low- and middle-income countries.
“As thrilling as this opportunity is,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said, “it’s a very sobering assignment. We have to do this well. … This isn’t something that any university has had a lot of opportunities doing.”
United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, is giving that $70 million over the next five years, contingent on congressional authorization. The agency aims for the consortium to fund research that can translate promptly and effectively into real-life solutions.
“If your work is only seen in your lab … what have you done?” USAID Center for Development Research Director Ticora Jones said at an event announcing the consortium Wednesday.