Google said today it is increasing its funding for 12 university projects to further advance research in areas the company is interested in developing.

Google Focused Research Awards, totaling $5.7 million, include four categories: machine learning, the use of mobile phones as data collection devices for public health and environment monitoring, energy efficiency in computing, and privacy.

"These are all areas in which Google is already deeply invested, and yet there is a long way to go. We’re excited to see what these projects contribute to the body of research in these important areas," wrote Alfred Spector, Vice President of Research and Special Initiatives, Google.

"These unrestricted grants are for two to three years, and the recipients will have the advantage of access to Google tools, technologies and expertise."
 

Related Articles:

> Google Profiles Go to the SERPs

> Google Launches Social Search Experiment

> Can Search Engine Optimization Survive Google?