LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville has received $3 million in funding from the Jewish Heritage Fund (JHF) to strengthen biomedical research and work that can save lives.  

UofL said the gift will support its core research facilities, labs providing researchers with access to advanced equipment and specialized techniques. Researchers are using its core facilities to develop new diagnostics and treatments, the university added.

“UofL is a hub for cutting-edge research, and these labs are the backbone of that work,” said UofL President Kim Schatzel. “We are very grateful for JHF’s continued partnership and most recent gift, which will help grow these critical facilities and empower researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge and deliver high-impact results that benefit everyone.”

The gift marks more than $40 million combined donated by JHF through a decade-long partnership. said UofL. Along with resulting in new medical breakthroughs, its investments have provided support for 52 researchers thus far and more than $165 million in new external research funding.

“We are proud to partner with UofL and leverage its biomedical expertise and strength as a Research-1 institution,” said Jeff Polson, JHF’s president and CEO. “Together, we have advanced adolescent health, funded groundbreaking research and supported community partners to overcome obstacles and strive for new heights.”

Established in 2012, JHF has made gifts totaling more than $89 million to more than 110 nonprofit organizations focused on improving health outcomes and strengthening Louisville as a hub for top medical research.

Collaborating with community organizations such as JHF is critical to UofL's research, said Jon Klein, the university's interim executive vice president of research and innovation.

“UofL is a premier community-engaged research institution, and this partnership is an excellent example of what that means,” Klein said. “Great community partners like JHF are vital to UofL’s work to create and apply knowledge that improves lives.”

The university is one of 84 in the U.S. to receive both the Research-1 and Community Engaged designations from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, UofL added.