Robert B. Daugherty Foundation 5-Year Challenge Grant Matched, Student Research Funded

In 2016, the Robert B. Daugherty Foundation challenged the University of Nebraska (NU) Foundation to create $1.5 million in new endowed funds to support students "engaged in the mission and goals" of DWFI. If the challenge was met, matching funds would be earned. In the last fiscal year, the challenge was completed-with, at the time of this writing, more than $120,000 in annually generated income already supporting the work of two cohorts of students.

In the past five years, DWFI has established eight endowment funds (shown in the list below) that will produce earned dollars for student research in the coming years. During the 2019-2021 fiscal years, proceeds of the endowments and the matching funds have supported student research ranging from mitigating human exposure to microbial hazards to research models driving an educational video game.

Some of the funds are so new they haven't begun generating income for research yet. As the years progress, the $120,000 annual figure will grow to support even more students' work to help the institute achieve its goals.

Endowment Funds and Dates Established:

1. Robert and Karla Baltzell Student Innovator Fund - December 28, 2016
2. Ivanhoe Foundation Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Student Support Fund - June 19, 2018
3. Exploring New Directions with DWFI and Public Health Fund; December 18, 2018
4. Claire M. Hubbard Graduate/Professional Student Fellowship in Water, Climate, and Health; May 15, 2020
5. Rachel M. Sandy Memorial Water & Agriculture Student Support Fund; July 21, 2020
6. Todd Steffes Memorial Student Support Fund; January 14, 2021
7. Dr. Kathleen V. Green Gardner Agronomy and Horticulture Graduate Student Support Fund; March 31, 2021
8. DWFI Student Support Endowment Fund; June 30, 2021