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Four proof-of-concept grants awarded to interdisciplinary teams of UW researchers

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The University of Washington Population Health Initiative announced today the award of four Tier 2 pilot grants to teams representing researchers from four different University of Washington schools and colleges as well as several community-based partners. A total of $265,000 was awarded in this grant cycle, supported by funding from the Initiative along with additional matching contributions from schools, colleges, departments and UW Global. “We received an impressive range of innovative project ideas in response to our funding call,” said…

Universal free school meals linked to lower childhood blood pressure

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Universal free school meal programs, introduced through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), have shown broad benefits for students, including improved nutrition and academic outcomes. A new University of Washington-led study adds another benefit: lower rates of high blood pressure among students in participating schools, with an 11% net decrease over five years. Researchers suggest that healthier school meals and reduced stigma around participation may drive these improvements. These findings come as cuts to food assistance programs threaten access to CEP,…

Awardees of spring 2024 Tier 1 pilot research grants report final project outcomes

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The Population Health Initiative awarded 13 $25,000 Tier 1 pilot grants in spring quarter 2024 to interdisciplinary University of Washington research teams to investigate pressing population health challenges. The funded projects collectively sought to address grand challenges in areas including climate change, mental health, child health and substance use disorder. The purpose of these Tier 1 pilot grants is to support researchers in laying an interdisciplinary foundation for a future project to generate proof-of-concept. Each of these teams has now…

Seven new members named to the Population Health Initiative executive council

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President Robert J. Jones has named seven new representatives to the 30-member University of Washington Population Health Initiative executive council. The council serves as the internal governing body for the Population Health Initiative. The seven representatives, who began their terms during the 2025-26 Academic Year, are: Sylvia Bagley, assistant teaching professor, College of Education Clara Berridge, associate professor, School of Social Work Gregory Bratman, associate professor of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment Lydia Chwastiak, professor of Psychiatry…

New students recognized for researching population health of Seattle neighborhoods

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The Communities & Research (CoRe) project is an opportunity for incoming first-year students at the University of Washington to examine population health on a personal level. In interdisciplinary and collaborative groups, students analyze various factors impacting population health in different Seattle neighborhoods, all through the lens of their expertise, discipline and experience. For the fifth year in a row, UW New Student & Transfer Programs and the Population Health Initiative have partnered to recognize the CoRe projects that go above…

Four climate change-focused pilot projects report final outcomes

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The University of Washington Population Health Initiative announced the award of four, $50,000 climate change-focused pilot grants in autumn 2023. These awards were intended to support interdisciplinary teams of researchers to develop preliminary data or proof-of-concept needed to pursue follow-on funding to scale work in areas such as promising advances in sustainable materials and aiding cities to achieve net-zero emissions. Each applicant for these pilot grants was previously awarded a climate change planning grant to support project planning during summer…

High-school peer-led project takes on Washington’s opioid crisis

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University of Washington researchers are leading a new collaborative project aimed at combating youth opioid overdose deaths in Washington state through a near-peer train-the-trainer model targeting high school students. This approach pairs individuals who have slightly more experience – Seattle University students – than those who they are mentoring – Garfield High School students. This relatively small gap in experience helps to foster educational relationships that feel much more relatable and accessible than traditional mentorship programs. The collaborative effort combines…

Applications for 2026 summer applied research fellowships due on March 20

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The Population Health Initiative is partnering with the University of Washington’s Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology (CSDE) for the eighth consecutive summer to offer the Population Health Applied Research Fellowship program. Applications for this summer’s cohort will be accepted until 12 p.m. on March 20, 2026, from undergraduate and graduate students across all UW schools and colleges on all three UW campuses. This paid fellowship program will offer a multidisciplinary team of undergraduate and graduate students training in…

Summer 2026 Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship applications due April 3

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The University of Washington Population Health Initiative is again partnering with the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship and CoMotion in summer 2026 for the Social Entrepreneurship Fellows Program. Applications are due at 12 p.m. (Pacific) on Friday, April 3, 2026. The program offers each graduate or professional student $10,000 over the course of 10 weeks to explore social enterprise models with the potential to support innovations developed by UW researchers. The four fellows will be selected from across a variety of…

Wildfire smoke linked to higher risk of preterm birth, UW study finds

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About 1 in 10 babies in the United States are born prematurely, which poses serious health risks, making prevention critical for public health. A new University of Washington study, analyzing more than 20,000 births, found that exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy increases the likelihood of preterm birth, especially during the second trimester when placental development is most active. The risk was highest in the Western U.S., where smoke concentrations and exposure days were greatest, and researchers suggest that fine…