PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] – From contraceptive use in Africa to achievement gaps in U.S. classrooms to midlife health outcomes, PSTC faculty associates address a wide range of population issues and challenges. In support of their research, four faculty associates, including two junior faculty members, have been selected to receive the 2017 PSTC Faculty Research Seed Awards for the following projects:

• Contraceptive Use Among Adolescents in Lusaka, Zambia, Bryce Steinberg, Stephen Robert Assistant Professor of Economics and International and Public Affairs

• Contraceptive Use and Non-Use among Young South African Women: Exploring Relevant Models and Processes for Design of a Prospective Cohort Study, Abigail Harrison, Assistant Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences (Research)

• Public Investments, Private Investments, and Class Gaps in Children’s Academic Achievement, Margot Jackson, Associate Professor of Sociology

• Union Experiences and Midlife Health Outcomes, Zhenchao Qian, Professor of Sociology

The PSTC has recently redesigned its Faculty Research Seed Awards program, placing an emphasis on encouraging faculty to develop "innovative research ideas into collaborative population-related projects" that will obtain funding from competitive extramural sources. Recipients are expected to submit at least one external grant proposal related to their activities funded by the Seed Awards.

The PSTC Faculty Research Seed Awards are granted annually. All PSTC faculty associates are eligible to apply for the awards, which generally range from $5,000 to $15,000. Multi-investigator teams that bring together complementary approaches and projects that include junior and senior faculty collaboration are especially encouraged.