MUSC gets $28.7M in federal grants

With some serious hustle, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have landed a total of $28.7 million -- so far -- in economic stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"What this reflects is a tremendous effort by the faculty to write proposals for competitive research grants," said Dr. Ray Greenberg, president of MUSC. "Our goal was to get our fair share, or more than our fair share, of the stimulus funding."

Of the $787 billion in the stimulus act passed in the spring, $10.4 billion was designated for the National Institutes of Health to fund research in medical science and technology. In all, MUSC submitted a total of 300 application for $114 million. It continues to wait for the completion of the review process and pending notification of award status for $38 million for research infrastructure and $6.5 million for shared research instrumentation.

"This is an incredible accomplishment and reflects what can be achieved by a committed team," said Peggy Schachte, MUSC Office of Research Development director and associate professor. "The results of the research jump-started by stimulus funds will contribute to the local economy right now, but more importantly, they will contribute to better health and quality of life for South Carolinians for a long time to come."

The latest funding comes during a year when MUSC already has received $217 million for research, a critical infusion for the economy of Charleston and South Carolina.

Greenberg said the funding will preserve jobs at the university and pay for new staff, and the research will attract private high-tech industry. As an example, he pointed to Lab 21, a British-based diagnostic testing firm that is looking for a site in the Upstate or Lowcountry.

The stimulus funding grants include the following:

--The Hollings Cancer Center will get $3.3 million for research, technology and new programs.

--The College of Health Professions will receive $800,000 for a study on the connection between post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism.

--The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences will get $600,000 for a study on the cost-effectiveness of HIV-related mental health interventions.