Cal Poly’s Office of Research (formerly Division of Research) recently announced the 2025-26 cycle of the Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities (RSCA) grant program awards. 

The RSCA faculty grant program is supported by funds from the CSU Chancellor’s Office and Cal Poly’s Office of the Provost. It is designed to enable faculty to contribute new knowledge through robust scholarship focused on strengthening California socially, culturally and economically.

Of the 73 proposals received, more than $289,000 has been awarded to 17 selected projects, including two CAFES professors, based on the criteria outlined in the RSCA Request for Proposals and guided by the review and rankings of the Academic Senate Grants Review Committee. 

The 2025-26 CAFES awarded projects are:  

“Quantifying abundance and distribution of soil microfauna in a coastal California rangeland.” 
Yamina Pressler, Assistant Professor, Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences 

“Disrupting Biofilms: Leveraging Predatory Bacteria as An Innovative Strategy for Enhanced Food Safety.” 
Laura Rolon, Assistant Professor, Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences