MSU College of Nursing awarded $7.45 million to expand research facilities

Michigan State University’s College of Nursing has been awarded nearly $7.45 million in federal stimulus money to expand its research facilities and capacity in a new building.

The funding, from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Research Resources, will enable the relocation of the college’s Nursing Research Center and faculty into the Bott Building for Nursing Education and Research. MSU is expected to break ground this summer on the Bott Building, adjacent to the Life Sciences building.

The $17.6 million building effort also has secured $10.15 million in other support, including a $7 million commitment from The Timothy and Bernadette Marquez Foundation.

“Two of the three floors in the new building will be dedicated to nursing research,” Dean Mary Mundt said. “The new space will create an environment conducive to growth in our research teams and efficiencies in our grant management process.

“It will also enable new opportunities for collaboration and mentorship and, better integration of the research mission of the college with the education and clinical practice missions.”

College of Nursing researchers conduct research in critical areas such as obesity prevention, symptom management, cancer, gerontology and health promotion. Researchers are actively advancing science with the aim to translate research findings into practice.

With a history of NIH funding dating back to 1978, the college is expanding upon the strengths of existing research faculty with the hiring of additional research scholars during the next three to five years.

“MSU is internationally known as a top U.S. research university,” President Lou Anna K. Simon said. “Receiving this funding is a symbol of our dedication to advancing nursing research and creates momentum that will help improve care and transform health care delivery systems.”