SUNY Niagara Wins National Science Foundation Grant Award

It is with great pleasure that we share the news that SUNY Niagara has received full funding from the National Science Foundation for our Phase 2 application, Advanced Manufacturing Program Modernization to Better Prepare Future Technicians. This $862,062 award will run from September 15, 2025, through August 31, 2028. Winning a nationally competitive NSF award during a time when federal funding is being scaled back is a major accomplishment, and our project stands among the first community college proposals funded in the 2024 Advanced Technology Education competition.

This grant will allow us to upgrade equipment, train faculty, and update our curriculum to include stackable micro-credentials in machining that enable students to develop marketable skills quickly. It will also expand our pipeline by partnering with all 10 Niagara County school districts, which will receive funding to support hands-on programs such as Tech Wars and Advanced Manufacturing Prep. Strong industry support is behind this effort, with eight Niagara County-based partners, Hohl Industrial Services in Tonawanda, and the New York Power Authority all committed to its success.

-Brian R. Michel, Ph.D.