Gov. Tom Wolf’s Manufacturing PA initiative recently awarded $1.7 million in grants to 26 projects intended to spark new processes and technology in the manufacturing sector.
The projects focus on a variety of sectors, including consumer goods, energy, and advanced medical.
Under the Manufacturing PA fellowship program, graduate and undergraduate students are paired with local manufacturers to develop new technologies and advance innovation. The universities that have partnered with a manufacturer can apply for a grant to fund specific student research projects.
Grants are awarded between $25,000 and $70,000.
Recipients in this round of funding include Bucknell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Drexel University, Lehigh University, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania State University-Behrend College, Robert Morris University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, and Villanova University.
“There is a direct correlation between manufacturing innovation and economic growth,” Wolf said. “My administration continues working to foster a robust innovation culture and strong partnerships between academia and the business sector across the state. Working together, we are positioning Pennsylvania as a manufacturing leader in the nation.”
The fellowship is a collaboration of the state’s seven research institutions, manufacturers, and industrial resource centers. It is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development.