Rapid Response Grants support community-focused projects

The Sustainable Futures Design Lab, part of UK Innovate’s TRUST Hub, awarded Rapid Response grants to four projects. Each project received $13,500.

The Sustainable Futures Design Lab was founded by Rebekah Radtke, an associate professor in the School of Interiors, and Jeff Fugate, an associate professor of extension in the School of Architecture, both in the University of Kentucky College of Design. The lab now operates in partnership with TRUST Hub.

The Sustainable Futures Design Lab is a collective of UK researchers dedicated to socially responsible, critically engaged design that drives meaningful impact in Kentucky and beyond.

By bringing together scholars from across disciplines, the lab fosters new collaborations, shares resources and supports creative scholarship that is deeply connected to community needs and global challenges.

“These grants are a powerful testament to TRUST Hub’s commitment to support community-engaged research that meets urgent needs across Kentucky and beyond. By equipping innovative scholars and their partners with timely resources, we are accelerating solutions that are both creative and grounded in the real challenges faced by our communities,” said Serenity Wright, Ed.D., senior executive director for innovation, community health and societal impact at UK Innovate.

Rapid Response Grant awardees:

• Lindsey Fay (College of Design), “Disaster Preparedness Care Continuum: The Role of ICUs in Serving Rural Communities”
• Leah Hamilton (College of Fine Arts), “Protecting Kentucky’s Rural Arts and Cultural Heritage Through Rapid Disaster Response Modeling”
• Tad Mutersbaugh (College of Arts and Sciences) and Qinglu Ying (Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment), “Advancing Climate-Resilient, Sustainable Soilless Substrate Solutions for Eastern Kentucky”
• Susan Thiel (College of Fine Arts), “Creative Movement for Disaster-Affected Communities: Expanding Arts-Based Mental Health Support Through Extension”

Visit the Sustainable Futures Design Lab webpage for more information on each project. 

About TRUST Hub
The TRUST Hub, Translating Research through Universal Solutions Together, is part of UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky. It works to turn research into real-world impact through its founding focus areas: Community Health Innovation, Launch Blue, Social Innovation and the Sustainable Futures Design Lab. The hub connects university expertise with community needs to develop practical, evidence-based solutions. By fostering collaboration across disciplines and with local communities, the TRUST Hub supports innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers in addressing pressing societal challenges and creating sustainable solutions for Kentucky and beyond.

About UK Innovate
UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky drives economic, societal and entrepreneurial growth from research discoveries. Through technology commercialization, health care innovations, corporate partnerships, social innovation and economic development, UK Innovate helps researchers and entrepreneurs across UK Research and UK HealthCare accelerate their ideas into use. By connecting talent, research, corporate partners and community resources, UK Innovate works to move ideas into the world faster, where they can make the greatest societal and economic impact possible. Learn more at www.research.uky.edu/ukinnovate.