The University of Nebraska Foundation’s board of directors awarded $1.14 million to the University of Nebraska through its annual grants program to support projects and initiatives on all four campuses for 2008-2009.

UNL received the most support, with $250,000 aiding construction of the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center. UNL also received $100,000 for continuation of the Initiative for Teaching and Learning Excellence.

Projects on other NU campuses that received funding in 2008-09 include:

UNK – $139,100 for the Program for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to promote business development and jobs in rural Nebraska; and $150,000 to help meet a challenge grant for funding of a new student wellness center and human performance lab on campus.

UNMC – $249,660 for a critical new fluorescence microscope and reader that provides researchers the ability to capture images of cells and to analyze changes in their size, shape, motility, intensity and other cellular properties.

UNO – $136,000 for the Center for Public Health Informatics to work with UNMC on integrating existing and emerging public health related databases that various agencies use for teaching, research and decision-making; and $114,494 to help create student-led teams serving as technology consultants to small businesses in north and south Omaha and in rural Nebraska.

Much of the annual grant resources are made available from unrestricted donations to the foundation.

The chancellors submit proposals annually for the grant money, and the proposals are aligned with the university’s strategic framework, as outlined by NU President James B. Milliken.