The Trifecta Initiative Facilitating Fund (TIFF) Awards are designed to provide investigators from the Trifecta Initiative colleges with resources towards federally funded NIH or NSF proposals and is intended for targeted data collection and/or statistical consultations and analysis of existing data. Other expenditures towards finalizing an NIH or NSF proposal could include such things as visits with an NIH or NSF program officer, publication costs, or travel costs for conferences.
Recent years have seen significant success in the strength of the Trifecta program. Focusing on the larger external funding opportunities these projects evolve into, including utilizing available grant writing resources, has improved the quality and success of external proposals.
The Office of Research and Innovation takes pride in supporting faculty members engaged in projects that encourage interdisciplinary research and promote health equity. Congratulations to the following faculty awarded a Trifecta grant for Summer 2025.

Summer 2025 Funded Project
Savvy leisure: Developing a practical guide for older adults (65+) to enjoy media and technology-based activities and protect against cognitive decline
PI: Anastasia G. Kononova, Associate Professor, Department of Advertising and Public Relations, College of Communication Arts & Sciences
The Colleges of Communication Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Nursing at Michigan State University collaborate to produce the Trifecta Initiative: a winning partnership of three innovative colleges. With support and investment from all three colleges, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of Research and Innovation, Trifecta is a launchpad for interdisciplinary development of innovative computing and communication technologies to improve healthcare and address health disparities.