Western New England University (WNE) has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of the Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) program. This grant will help WNE develop capacity and institutional knowledge to forge new partnerships, secure future external funding, and engage with the regional innovation ecosystem. The NSF announced this award as part of an $18.6 million investment across 48 institutions.
The principal investigator for the grant is Associate Provost Josephine Rodriguez. Co-principal investigators (Co-PIs) include Mahyar Pourghasemi and Glenn Vallee from the College of Engineering. Additionally, Tamara Shattuck, from the Education Department in the College of Arts & Sciences, will serve as the external evaluator for a cohort of five participating institutions.
"This award will enable WNE to establish a small-scale Office of Sponsored Projects to provide grant support for investigators and faculty across the campus," said Mahyar Pourghasemi, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. "Additionally, this collaborative effort will elevate WNE’s research profile among industry professionals and regional research centers, positioning the university to actively contribute to the regional innovation ecosystem."
The NSF EPIIC grant is part of the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP), which focuses on fostering innovation ecosystems, establishing translation pathways, and building partnerships to enhance U.S. competitiveness. The program aims to support smaller academic institutions in strengthening the infrastructure necessary to grow external partnerships and tap into innovation ecosystems. WNE will collaborate with a cohort that includes the University of Detroit Mercy, Andrews University, the University of St. Thomas, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Executive Vice President and Provost Maria Toyoda said, "The three-year EPIIC grant will enable the Provost’s Office to enhance WNE’s capacity to support and manage sponsored projects. In the last two years, we have doubled the number and dollar amount of grant proposals, and this award will help us sustain that growth while expanding external partnerships."
This grant marks a significant step in WNE’s continued efforts to enhance research and innovation on campus and within the broader community.
