Research Breakthrough Award
The John Martinson Honors College’s Research Breakthrough Award aims to support Purdue faculty conducting high-impact research or creative projects with a team of 5-8 JMHC students. We welcome proposals related to Health and Well-being that offer immersive undergraduate research or creative experiences.
Applications for the 2024-25 Research Breakthrough Award are currently closed. Please check back in May 2025 for information about the 2025-26 Research Breakthrough Award.
Research Application Information
The following information is for the 2025-26 award cycle.
Important Dates
- Call for Applications Opens: May 15, 2025
- Informational Webinar: May 17, 2025
- Application Deadline: July 15, 2025
Faculty (tenure-track, clinical, lecturer) from all disciplines at Purdue University - West Lafayette and Indianapolis should consider applying to fund your high-quality research/ scholarship/ creative inquiry with undergraduates, to prepare for larger research grants, to expand the scope of your research and experiment with non-traditional and translational research outcomes.
Awards will range from $50,000 - $75,000. We anticipate funding up to three awards open to all eligible investigators in the present funding cycle. In 2025-2026, we expect to fund an additional award open only to our Indianapolis faculty.
For more information, contact Dr. Megha Anwer, Associate Dean for Research and World Readiness, JMHC at manwer@purdue.edu or Sarah Vaugn, Program Administrator for Research, JMHC at svaughn@purdue.edu.
2025 Research Breakthrough Award Recipients
- Dr. Hu (Purdue Polytechnic Institute)
- Dr. Johnson-Sheehan, Dr. Rickert (College of Liberal Arts)
- Dr. Nieforth (College of Veterinary Medicine)
- Dr. Roseguini, Dr. Gavin, Dr. Fernandes, Dr. Hirai (Health and Kinesiology), Dr. Song (Statistics)
- Dr. Vlachos, Dr. Bilionis, Dr. Ardekani, Dr. Wagner, Dr. Ristroph, Dr. Ladisch, Dr. Meyers, Dr. da Cunha (College of Engineering), Dr. Schneebeli (College of Science, College of Pharmacy), Dr. Li, Dr. Matosevic (College of Pharmacy)
- Dr. Wilson (College of Health and Human Sciences), Julius Keller, Debra Henneberry, Sudip Vhaduri (Aviation Technology)
2024 Research Breakthrough Award Recipients
- Dr. DeMaria (College of Health & Human Sciences) and Dr. Seigfried-Spellar (Purdue Polytechnic Institute)
- Dr. Jarriel (John Martinson Honors College)
- Dr. Wilhelm, Dr. Enders and Dr. Iyer-Pascuzzi (College of Agriculture)
2024 Breakthrough Seed Award Recipients
- Dr. Bellisario (John Martinson Honors College)
- Dr. Diaz (College of Engineering)
- Dr. Williams (Purdue Polytechnic Institute)
- Dr. Fortin (College of Veterinary Medicine)
Research Theme for 2025-2026 Funding Cycle: Health and Well-being
For 2025-2026, the research theme is Health and Well-being. This is based on the survey of JMHC faculty, students and staff of issues facing the world that they are most interested in researching. Figure on right shows some of the themes identified in the survey. This is not a comprehensive list, but can be used to illustrate the breadth, depth and interconnected nature of these issues. We welcome proposals related to research topics that range from physical and mental health, healthcare for all individuals, and healing and revitalization of local and global communities.