PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has recently announced some promising news that highlights the state’s commitment to innovation and technology, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Through the Manufacturing PA initiative, 31 student research projects have been awarded $2.1 million in grants to aid in the advancement of manufacturing innovation in a variety of areas like autonomous machining, acoustical engineering, and medical devices.
These projects are part of a fellowship program that pairs graduate and undergraduate students with local manufacturers to research and develop new technologies. With the hope of advancing innovation statewide, the program provides finances of up to $70,000 for universities partnering with manufacturers for specific student research projects. This development presents a sterling opportunity for the brightest students and manufacturers of Pennsylvania to work together to bring about cutting-edge advancements in the manufacturing industry.
The program is open to any accredited Pennsylvania college or university. The Governor’s proposed increase would allow 14 more manufacturers to partner with universities in adopting new technologies and advancing new products and processes.
The 31 projects that received grants are involved in partnerships with local manufacturing companies and the following 19 Pennsylvania colleges:
- Bucknell University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Drexel University
- Gannon University
- Lehigh University
- Lycoming College
- Millersville University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Pennsylvania State University – Altoona
- Pennsylvania State University – Behrend
- Pennsylvania State University – DuBois
- Pennsylvania State University – Harrisburg
- Temple University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Pittsburgh
- Villanova University
- Widener University
- York College of Pennsylvania
The fellowship was developed through collaboration with Pennsylvania’s seven research institutions, manufacturers, and industrial resource centers (IRCs) across the commonwealth and is administered by DCED and Carnegie Mellon University.
Since its inception in 2018, the fellowship has granted $11.9 million to 475 students across the commonwealth, and 142 Pennsylvania companies have benefited from these partnerships.
Working with DCED’s strategic partners, including Industrial Resource Centers, Pennsylvania’s colleges, universities, technical schools, and non-profit organizations, this initiative intends to foster collaboration and partnerships to accelerate technology advancement, encourage innovation and commercialization, and build a 21st-century workforce.
To learn more about the Manufacturing PA Initiative or DCED, visit the DCED website.
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