Berkeley’s HaaS School of Business seeks blockchain research proposals

The Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, is going to launch a blockchain research programme, Bitcoin Exchange Guide reported.

The Institute for Business and Social Impact (IBSI) recently announced the details of the programme. The announcement follows a multi-year, multi-million-dollar grant received by the Haas School of Business in June from the University Blockchain Research Initiative, a new program founded by Ripple.

“The grant will fund faculty and student research and related events across the Berkeley campus, including Engineering, the Law School, School of Information, and other colleges or programs,” according to the IBSI announcement.

This year, IBSI said that it will award grants for academic research and supporting activities in areas including blockchain and distributed systems; cryptocurrency and digital payments; cryptography; and related subject areas such as blockchain for economic development and global financial inclusion.

In particular, IBSI is seeking proposals in three areas – technical, business or legal opps/smart contracts, and regulatory issues – focused on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. The last date to send the proposals is November 30, 2018.

Faculty research projects would be granted a maximum of $15,000; however, those faculty research projects that are at an advanced stage of development would be awarded up to $25,000.

Undergraduate student research would receive up to $3,000 and graduate student research would be granted up to $5,000.

Funded projects may begin between Jan 1 and June 30, 2019, the announcement said.