Three New Hampshire universities are joining forces on a major new project to understand why tick‑borne illnesses keep rising across the state.

The University of New Hampshire, Keene State College, and Plymouth State University are working together on an effort supported by an $8 million National Science Foundation grant.

The team plans to study everything from shifting wildlife patterns to changes in climate and habitat.

They’ll be collecting ticks in different parts of the state, analyzing them in the lab, and using new tools like genetic testing and computer modeling to understand how disease risk is evolving. The goal is to get a clearer picture of what’s driving the increase in infections and how communities can better prepare.