CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — For over 140 years, the Hatch Act of 1887 has played a pivotal role in agricultural research, providing federal funding to land-grant universities like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). The funds support research at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), helping to address challenges in farming and beyond.

“Hatch funds are crucial to everything we do, but few people understand what they are or how deeply they sustain our research enterprise,” said Rodney Johnson, associate dean of research at ACES. “We work very closely with stakeholders, farmers, and the public to ensure federal Hatch dollars invest in discoveries that truly make a difference.”

At UIUC, Hatch funding is matched by state funds and used in a variety of ways—supporting graduate students, funding infrastructure projects, or helping new faculty launch research programs. While the $7.2 million received annually is just a fraction of ACES’ total research budget, it’s vital for driving innovations that support agriculture, human health, and sustainability.

“In times of reduced research funding, dependable sources like Hatch are essential for fostering collaboration and training the workforce of the future,” Johnson said.

One way ACES uses these funds is through its Future Interdisciplinary Research Explorations (FIRE) program. This initiative offers seed funding for interdisciplinary projects, leading to new discoveries. For example, small grains breeder Juan Arbelaez used a FIRE grant to study intercropped oats and peas, a project that has opened doors for larger federal grants and could improve forage production for Illinois farmers.

The impact of Hatch funding extends beyond agriculture. Food science professor Zeynep Madak-Erdogan has used FIRE grants to study how neighborhood violence affects cancer progression. Human development professor Nancy McElwain is using them to develop wearable sensors for infants to measure stress levels. These diverse projects highlight how ACES has expanded the use of agricultural research dollars to address broader societal issues.

Despite challenges such as proposed budget cuts earlier this year, Hatch funds remain a cornerstone of ACES research. “We need to be intentional in explaining how these federal dollars deliver value,” Johnson said. As ACES continues to evolve, its mission remains clear: to provide science-backed solutions to the world’s pressing challenges.

For more information, visit aces.illinois.edu.