Western New England University (WNE) has received a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) program. This funding will help WNE build capacity and institutional knowledge to create new partnerships, secure future external funding, and engage with the regional innovation ecosystem. The NSF’s announcement is part of an $18.6 million investment awarded to 48 institutions.

Associate Provost Josephine Rodriguez serves as the principal investigator (PI) for the grant, with co-PIs Dr. Mahyar Pourghasemi and Dr. Glenn Vallee from the College of Engineering. Dr. Tamara Shattuck from the Education Department will act as the external evaluator for a cohort of five participating institutions.

The grant will allow WNE to establish a small-scale Office of Sponsored Projects to provide grant support for faculty and researchers. This initiative aims to enhance WNE’s research profile among industry professionals and regional research centers.

The NSF EPIIC program, as part of the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships, aims to foster innovation ecosystems and promote partnerships to enhance U.S. competitiveness. WNE will collaborate with institutions like the University of Detroit Mercy and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

The three-year grant will help sustain the University’s growth in grant proposals while expanding external partnerships.