Vermont Business Magazine The National Science Foundation has awarded a $400,000 grant to Saint Michael’s College, which will be used to build a pipeline to Vermont’s growing biotechnology industry.
The grant was awarded in September through the NSF’s EPiiC (Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity) program. EPiiC grants support teams from multiple institutions in collaborating to build their capacity to engage their regions’ innovation systems.
The grant will be in effect until 2028.
Together with teams from Grinnell College, Linfield University, and National University, the Saint Michael’s College team will pursue the following goals:
- Identifying each cohort institution’s place in its regional innovation ecosystem.
- Developing a strategy to effectively engage a broad network of external partners.
- Building institutional structure and culture to support use-inspired research and tech-transfer initiatives.
“We have incredibly diverse and capable students right here in Vermont that can contribute to the growing biotechnology industry – they just need training and opportunity,” said Biology Professor Lyndsay Avery, who led the efforts to secure the grant. “At St. Mike’s, we have created a research-based curriculum that perfectly positions students for these lucrative and exciting jobs."
The Saint Michael’s College Biology Department has already been working to build the biotech pipeline through its CURE approach to science education. CURE, which stands for Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience, offers students the opportunity to conduct authentic research during their regular classes and labs. Undergraduate students also have further opportunities for grant-funded research outside the classroom.
“I am looking forward to being part of work that will both give our students new opportunities and foster new connections across Vermont,” said Provost Gretchen Galbraith, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Saint Michael’s College. “Our longer-term goal is to build our capacity to more broadly engage with Vermont’s innovators across various sectors of the economy.”
About Saint Michael’s College
Saint Michael's College, founded in 1904 on principles of social justice and leading lives of purpose and consequence, is a selective, Catholic college just outside Burlington, Vermont, one of the country's best college towns. Located between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, our closely connected community guarantees housing all four years and delivers an internationally respected liberal arts education, preparing students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives. Young adults here grow intellectually, socially, and morally, learning to lead with empathy and professionalism, and to be responsible for themselves, each other, and their world.
COLCHESTER, VT – www.smcvt.edu
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