News
Rural Reimagined Announces Nearly $150K in Faculty Research Grants, Expands Reach to 60 Tennessee Counties
麻豆果冻传媒鈥檚 Rural Reimagined initiative recently awarded more
than $144,000 in grants for faculty research as part of its mission to support the
success of Tennessee鈥檚 rural areas.
Faculty-led research projects funded by Rural Reimagined include a $25,000 grant to
help the Cookeville-based Hope Springs Urgent Care Mental Health Clinic market its
services and increase awareness of mental health care options throughout the Upper
Cumberland, a $21,598 grant to assist Tech faculty working alongside local anti-drug
coalitions to conduct community-based adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) training
reducing and preventing substance misuse in the region, a $6,620 grant to support
the development of free games and apps promoting STEM education in local schools,
and a $8,907 grant to study rural mothers鈥� birthing experiences and postpartum health,
among other research.
Research proposals were judged on the significance of their rural impact, as well
as their plan of action, involvement of students and dissemination of results.
鈥淓very dollar invested into Rural Reimagined is a dollar that is multiplied to support
quality of life, economic development, and, ultimately, meaningful transformation
in rural communities across our state,鈥� said Tech President Phil Oldham. 鈥淭his faculty-led
research is another way that Rural Reimagined brings the full capabilities of Tennessee
Tech to bear in creating opportunity for rural Tennesseans and spurring renewed development
in communities that need our support.鈥�
Rural Reimagined began in 2019, growing out of the university鈥檚 Tech Tomorrow strategic
plan, which called for a grand challenge that would leverage the unique assets of
the university to support thriving rural communities. Today, Rural Reimagined has
a presence in roughly 60 of Tennessee鈥檚 76 rural counties and has helped more than
125 small businesses over the past year. The initiative is also engaged in eight ongoing
local tourism projects.
鈥淲hether we鈥檙e working with a person that is starting their business or working with
a state or federal department, we are passionate about what we do because it impacts
the residents and citizens of our great state and our rural areas,鈥� explained Michael
Aikens, director of the Center for Rural Innovation at Tech and administrative chair
of Rural Reimagined. 鈥淓verything we do comes at no cost to the businesses and communities
we help, and we directly see the benefits.鈥�
Added Aikens, 鈥淲e鈥檙e making investments into the community 鈥� those investments are
dollars but more importantly they are investments of time and collaboration. We know
that when the community does good, Tech does good.鈥�
With faculty research grants funded, Rural Reimagined is now looking ahead to the
future 鈥� including Tech鈥檚 Apr. 15 Eagle Works trade show and competition.
Now in its 10th year, Eagle Works allows Tech students to present business ideas to
a team of judges in a Shark Tank-style innovation and entrepreneurship competition.
The business plan with the greatest potential to positively impact rural communities
receives the Rural Reimagined Award. Additionally, more than $20,000 in scholarships
will be awarded. Submissions for the competition will be accepted from March 24 through
March 29.
Learn more about Rural Reimagined at /grand-challenge.
Learn more about Eagle Works at /eagleworks.
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