Maryland Supports Research Professorships at Two Higher Education Institutions
Hood College, Bowie State University raise matching funds to promote research and technology through Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative
BALTIMORE, MD (August 9, 2022) – The Maryland Department of Commerce joined Hood College and Bowie State University in endowing more than $2.5 million to fund new research professorships. The endowments were made through the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative (MEI), a state program created to spur basic and applied research in scientific and technical fields at colleges and universities. The schools raised $1.5 million in private funding for each chair, and Maryland Commerce approved matching grants of more than $1 million to support the endowments.
“These awards will support critical research in two of Maryland’s most important industry sectors,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “Since inception, the E-Nnovation program has endowed more than $70 million to colleges and universities around the state. Commerce is proud to continue supporting the innovative work being done at two of our finest higher education institutions.”
Hood College was awarded $510,000 for the endowed director of a new Biomedical Research and Training Center, which is supported by $1 million in matching funds. In addition to providing STEM training opportunities for Hood College students across a variety of majors and disciplines, the Center will serve students from other regional schools as well as the employees of regional companies. Programming will include on-campus and online workshops; bridge courses to prepare graduate students for advanced research; and programming focused on the development of specific high-demand skills defined by our industry partners. The Biomedical Research and Training Center will also foster apprenticeships and student internships with regional industry partners, and companies can have their scientists teach there.
“Hood College is grateful for the ongoing support of the Maryland Department of Commerce through the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative,” said Hood President Andrea E. Chapdelaine. “The College’s Biomedical Research and Training Center is one of many examples reflecting what can happen when colleges and universities reach beyond the ivory walls to create academic offerings, research and internship opportunities, and innovative educational approaches to meet workforce needs in partnership with others. The Center will enable Hood to further fulfill its role as an anchor institution, providing graduates to serve the Frederick community and the State of Maryland.”
Bowie State University was awarded $500,000 to establish an endowed chair of cybersecurity and for a new director of the Center of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies; the award was matched by $500,000 in qualified funding from the university. The new director will establish an ecosystem for cyber innovators at the university with the potential to influence BSU’s long-term vision and strategic role in building an entrepreneurial workforce. In addition, the director will elevate a culture of innovation within the department and across the institution. Ultimately, under the director’s guidance, Bowie State will grow a pipeline of graduates who are traditionally underrepresented in cybersecurity and entrepreneurship with an emphasis on research, deep technology and STEM.
“This grant will enable Bowie State to expand its cybersecurity research capacity through collaborations with public and private sector partners,” said Dr. Guy-Alain Amoussou, associate provost for academic affairs at Bowie State. “The endowed chair of cybersecurity will help establish Bowie State as an effective incubator for cybersecurity innovation and assist in establishing the university as a nationally recognized leader in developing cybersecurity graduates for careers in government, military, the private sector or as entrepreneurs.”
The Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative was created by the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session and has provided $65.9 million in funding to leverage $72.5 million in private donations. The funding can be used to pay salaries of newly endowed department chairs, staff and support personnel in designated scientific and technical fields of study; fund related research fellowships for graduate and undergraduate students; and purchase lab equipment and other basic infrastructure and equipment.
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