The University announced Monday that nine students have been selected to receive funding through the United States Agency for International Development to study global development challenges.

The nine students who were selected include five doctoral students, Tracy-Lynn Cleary, Jenna Davidson, Catherine Flanley, Kristina Hook and Emily Maiden; two Master of Science students, Lilian Ramos and Megan Wright; and two undergraduate seniors, Lauran Feist and Samuel Lucas.

“Today’s global development challenges need bold, innovative thinkers and solutions,” Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development (NDIGD) managing director, Michael Sweikar said in a statement. “NDIGD is thrilled to once again support some of the University’s most promising students in this opportunity to develop their research and create meaningful change.”

According to the statement, the students will complete their research throughout 2017 and 2018.