Researchers at eight universities, Moffitt Cancer Center and The Scripps Research Institute will share $25 million in grants as the state looks to combat the mosquito-borne Zika virus, Gov. Rick Scott's office announced Wednesday.
More than half of the money — $13.17 million — will go for projects at the University of Miami. Among other things, University of Miami researchers will use the money to work on a Zika vaccines and evaluate infants for Zika-related organ damage.
Other schools receiving smaller amounts of money are Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, Nova Southeastern University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida.
Scott announced in September that the state would spend $25 million on Zika research. Last year, the state reported 1,325 cases of Zika, which is particularly dangerous to pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects.
