ATHENS, Ohio (May 21, 2001) -- The Institute for the African Child and the Institute for Quantitative Biology have been named recipients of the 2001 Ohio University Department/School/Center Enhancement Award, which supports unitwide research, scholarship and creative activities.

Both institutes received awards of $30,000 to fund interdisciplinary research projects. The award, sponsored by the university's Council for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, was created in 1999 to support large initiatives in academic departments, schools, centers and institutes at the university.

"We wanted an award that was not just about personal research, but would encompass the entire department," said Andre Gribou, chair of the council and associate professor of dance. "We also wanted to encourage collaboration between departments that would make an impact on their creative activities."

The two recipients of this year's DSC awards reflect those goals, he said. The Institute of the African Child was established in 1998 to promote interdisciplinary work between scholars and researchers in the fields of African studies, medicine, education, health services and communication, said Stephen Howard, director of the institute and associate professor of educational studies.

The Institute for Quantitative Biology was created in December to bring together faculty in the fields of biological sciences, mathematics and physics to incorporate mathematical and computer analysis tools into the study of life sciences. The award will provide seed funding for two research projects in the area of neuroscience, said Peter Jung, an associate professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences and lead investigator on the grant. Michael Rowe, professor of biological sciences in the college of Arts and Sciences, serves as director of the institute.

"Many institutions have interdisciplinary institutes, but the real challenge is to get people to actually work together. This award will help facilitate collaborations," Jung said. "This also will be important in helping us get preliminary research results, which will allow us to go to external agencies for further support."

The council invites proposals for projects that could have a long-term impact on a unit's mission, as well as those that show collaboration between faculty members or departments, Gribou said. "I know there are really good ideas out there," he said. "This is an opportunity to fund those departmental possibilities and innovations that people are excited about."

The deadline for 2002 awards is Nov. 9, with recipients announced in January. Awards range from $15,000 to $30,000, and funds are made available for at least one year.

For more information about the Department/School/Center Enhancement Award, including application details, visit www.ohiou.edu/research/dscguide.htm.