State awards $2.1 million in grants to promote manufacturing innovation

Grants through the Manufacturing PA initiative have been awarded to 31 student research projects to help advance innovation in several sectors of manufacturing. 

Department of Community and Economic Development Acting Secretary Rick Singer said Friday that Lehigh University, Millersville University, Penn State University – Harrisburg, and York College of Pennsylvania are among the 19 universities that will share in the $2.1 million in grants.  

The approved projects are part of Manufacturing PA’s fellowship program, which embeds graduate and undergraduate students with local manufacturers, Singer said in a press release. Once paired, the students develop new technologies and advance innovation statewide.  

Universities that have partnered with a manufacturer can apply for and receive between $25,000 and $70,000 in funding for specific student research projects.  

 Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal would invest an additional $1 million in the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program which serves as a collaboration between Pennsylvania colleges and universities, manufacturers, and DCED.  

The program is open to any accredited Pennsylvania college or university. The Governor’s proposed increase would allow 14 more manufacturers to partner with universities in adopting new technologies and advancing new products and processes, according to DCED.  

 “The Shapiro Administration understands the importance of investing in Pennsylvania manufacturing to help spur the economy and generate continued growth and innovation,” Singer said. “The work of the students and companies honored today is impressive and is a great indication of the future success of this historic and vital industry in the Commonwealth.”  

The fellowship was developed through collaboration with Pennsylvania’s seven research institutions, manufacturers, and industrial resource centers (IRCs) across the commonwealth and is administered by DCED and Carnegie Mellon University.   

 Since its inception in 2018, the fellowship has granted $11.9 million to 475 students across the commonwealth, and 142 Pennsylvania companies have benefited from these partnerships.