The state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) recently awarded 45 student research projects $3.05 million in Manufacturing PA initiative grants.
The 45 projects are in partnership with local manufacturing companies and are being conducted at 15 colleges or universities and one hospital. They involve innovation advances in several sectors of manufacturing, including autonomous machining, clean energy and medical devices.
“The Shapiro Administration understands the importance of investing in cutting-edge research projects like these to generate continued economic growth and foster innovation in the Commonwealth,” DCED Secretary Rick Siger said at the sixth annual Manufacturing PA Innovation Program Expo in Harrisburg. “Pennsylvania is home to some of the finest research institutions in the country, and I know the work of the students and projects funded here today will ensure we will remain a national leader in manufacturing and innovation.”
The projects are part of Manufacturing PA’s fellowship program. The program pairs graduate and undergraduate students with local manufacturers. The students conduct research projects aimed at developing new technologies and advancing innovation statewide.
Universities can apply for between $25,000 and $70,000 in funding per research projects.
The fellowship has granted more $15.1 million since 2018 to 602 students and 174 Pennsylvania companies for 234 projects.