CAMPAIGN GOAL: Research That Translates to Improved Health—Everywhere

Despite fierce competition for external research dollars, our faculty have continued to grow their research funding over the past decade—a reflection of the school’s quality. We are proud to see our researchers’ ideas transform from “What if?” to fully formed public health innovations in the marketplace. Still, exciting research questions abound: in data science, environmental exposures, speech and hearing, neuroscience and muscle biology, biomechanics, and beyond.  

But funding streams are not all alike. Funders like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) usually offer narrowly restricted grants that build on proven foundations. Truly innovative, game-changing research is increasingly dependent on private philanthropy. Equally important, we must address the reality of the highly competitive marketplace for academic talent—especially in Massachusetts—and do more to retain and empower our faculty, wherever they are in their careers.  

By securing $4 million for fixed-term professorships and endowed professorships, we can supply faculty with funding streams that enable research decisions to be driven by the strength and promise of an idea, unencumbered by red tape. This strategic investment will allow us to reward and keep these scholars actively leading research—and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in the process.  

We’re also inviting supporters to invest $2 million in an expanded set of interdisciplinary initiatives and partnerships that cut across campus and with industry and communities that provide economic and social benefits to the commonwealth.  

And we’ll seek to raise $4 million to continue to create pathways for more students to participate in transformative research experiences—assistantships, paid summer- and semester-long internships, and field work. Research-active faculty attract students to the university and expose them to the depth and breadth of public health and health sciences. These are exactly the types of experiences that affirm students’ determination to solve real-world problems and bring value to their communities.  

The generosity of our donors makes our work possible—and helps to improve the lives of individuals in the Commonwealth.