A team of researchers from 10 universities and colleges across the state has received a $20 million, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research to establish a new initiative: Materials Assembly and Design Excellence in South Carolina, or MADE in SC.
The schools include Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina, the College of Charleston, Furman University, USC Beaufort, Winthrop University, Claflin University, South Carolina State University and Florence-Darlington Technical College.
With the grant, MADE in SC is committed to hiring 17 new researchers over five years at five institutions. The universities will also invest in training postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students; outreach to K-12 schools and the public; and developing new facilities, according to a news release.
Clemson plans to hire faculty members, provide support for new doctoral students, and invest in new equipment for materials research. New undergraduate degree programs at USC Beaufort and the College of Charleston and expanded curricula at Furman, Winthrop, Claflin and USC will be developed to create a new pipeline of highly skilled workers from South Carolina’s higher education institutions into the current and future industries. The grant will also provide funding for summer programs to train high school teachers to deliver engaging materials science content to better prepare students for a future in advanced materials and manufacturing.
