HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has allocated over $2.8 million in grants through the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program to support 42 student research projects aimed at fostering advancements in manufacturing across the state.
The grants, part of the Manufacturing PA fellowship program, provide universities with up to $70,000 to embed graduate and undergraduate students with local manufacturing companies. The program focuses on driving innovation in sectors such as AI-driven semiconductor manufacturing, 3-D printed medical devices, and sustainable biomaterials developed from agricultural waste.
“The Shapiro Administration is laser-focused on advancing Pennsylvania’s innovation economy, and investing in cutting-edge research projects like these is essential to accomplishing that,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “I know the work of the students and projects funded here today will help us continue to be a national leader in manufacturing and innovation.”
Since its launch in 2018, the fellowship program has awarded over $17.9 million in funding for 276 projects, benefiting 738 students and 202 Pennsylvania companies. The initiative is administered by DCED in association with Carnegie Mellon University.
This year’s grants are spread across partnerships with local manufacturers and 20 institutions statewide, including Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania State University, and Temple University. The funded projects are expected to bolster the state’s standing as a hub for cutting-edge manufacturing technology and research.
By investing in these partnerships, Pennsylvania aims to address industry challenges and fuel economic growth while preparing the next generation of innovators to take the lead in manufacturing advancements.
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