Internal Funding Sources

The College of Engineering, through its unveiling of a new Strategic Plan, is charting a new course towards research prominence. The development of an innovation ecosystem within the College will allow faculty to engage at all levels of discovery and creation, with an eye on establishing an environment where fundamental science is increasingly moved to and through the commercialization stage. Vital to a successful innovation ecosystem are seed funds that enable a faculty member with an excellent idea to generate preliminary data that can be leveraged to procure future federal funds that can lead to entrepreneurial outcomes.

The Longwell Family Foundation made a philanthropic commitment of $1,000,000 to the Innovation in Engineering Research Fund (FIER). This fund will provide seed money for research conducted by faculty members of the College. It is anticipated these funds will enable faculty to attract additional federal, state, and/or industrial funds to continue the research beyond the timeframe of the FIER funds and move it along the innovation ecosystem continuum towards commercialization. Proposals will be reviewed by a representative committee and will provide their recommendations to the Associate Dean for Research and Diversity Programs, College of Engineering.

Request for Proposals for the Fund for Innovation in Engineering Research (FIER)