The Ohio University Research Committee awarded a total of $66,000 this spring to support 10 faculty research projects. The works range from a study of digital hearing aids to research on the cultural repercussions of ethnic cleansing in Poland.

Other research grants given this spring include a $25,000 award from the Vice President of Research for a one-year postdoctoral position in environmental and plant biology.

The OURC, a committee of 12 university faculty members from various disciplines, awards grants to faculty and staff for early-stage research and creative projects, with priority given to faculty new to the university. Proposals are accepted twice during the academic year. The committee received 31 proposals in the winter 2002 cycle. For fall 2001, OURC received 13 proposals, seven of which were funded.

"The OURC grants are one of the most important sources for research and creative activities available to faculty. The committee is always impressed with the high quality of the proposals, and this year's proposals were, again, exceptional," said Andre Gribou, chair of the OURC and an associate professor of dance.

In the past eight years, the OURC has funded 126 proposals with support from the Vice President for Research, whose office administers the awards program.