LASER PULSE stands for Long-term Assistance and Services for Research Partners for University-Led Solutions Engine. This five-year $70M project is funded by USAID and implemented by a consortium led by Purdue University alongside Catholic Relief Services, Indiana University, Makerere University, and the University of Notre Dame. LASER PULSE comprises a global network of 1,900+ researchers and NGO representatives in 54 countries, who are our partners in supporting the discovery and uptake of field-sourced, evidence-based solutions to development challenges spanning all USAID technical sectors and global geographic regions. The LASER PULSE strategy of ‘embedded research translation’ (ERT) ensures that applied development research is co-designed with development practitioners, and results in solutions that are useful and usable.
IU's Role:
Through OID, IU initially received ~$1.6M to lead the consortium's Research Translation Communication activities, including the development and delivery of ERT training and support materials as well as the implementation of international Research for Development (R4D) conferences bringing together researchers and practitioners in countries like Vietnam and Ethiopia for project development and capacity-building. Interdisciplinary faculty at IU also support the efforts of the LASER PULSE consortium, receiving additional funding to work on evidence-based research and policy work in coordination with many of USAID’s missions across the globe. To date, OID has engaged IU faculty in LASER-funded projects totaling over $3M in additional grant awards, including:
- work with the School of Education on USAID Kenya’s Tusome early-grade reading program and on integrated essential emergency education impact evaluation in South Sudan;
- research led by faculty in Anthropology in support of the restoration of traditional cultural and agricultural practices in Northern Iraq; and
- work with the School of Public Health on a project in Laos to combat malnutrition.
