SCHUMER URGES NAT’L SCIENCE FOUNDATION TO HOST GRANT- WRITING WORKSHOP AT MOHAWK VALLEY CC TO GIVE AREA COLLEGES THE COMPETITIVE EDGE IN SECURING AWARDS - ESPECIALLY IN RESEARCH & FAST-GROWING NANOTECH & UNMANNED AIRCRAFT TESTING INDUSTRY
Schumer Seeks an NSF Grant-Writing Workshop at Mohawk Valley CC, So That Interested Colleges Like Hamilton, SUNY IT, Colgate & Others Can Learn Key Strategies to Secure Critical Funding That Will Bolster Science & Technology Research and Education
Schumer Highlights Marcy Nanotech Campus & Unmanned Aircraft Testing Site at Griffiss as Examples of Growing CNY High-Tech Industry That Area Colleges Can Benefit From
Schumer: To Meet Growing Demand for High-Tech Jobs, CNY Schools Must Develop Cutting-Edge STEM Programs
Yesterday, Senator Schumer urged the National Science Foundation (NSF) to hold a Grant-Writing Workshop at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) that would give Central New York education professionals and institutions a competitive advantage in obtaining funding through the NSF and advancing research and education in the growing nanotech industry and the field of unmanned aircraft testing. Schumer’s request comes on behalf of MVCC, which would host the workshop on how best to write NSF applications, with a focus on STEM education grants offered by the NSF. A boost in this funding is important to enhancing research and also preparing students to work in these fields.
Schumer highlighted MVCC’s role in the FAA-designated unmanned aircraft test site and the development of the Marcy nanotech site as examples of the region’s potential to be a leader in STEM research and innovation. MVCC has offered to host such a workshop and will help convene representatives from nearby schools, like Colgate University, SUNY IT, Hamilton College and others. Schumer is seeking to develop New York into a hub for science and technology research and innovation and pointed to a NSF Grant Writing Workshop as a way to help education leaders in this growing industry gain a competitive edge in the race to receive funding to support their projects.
“From the Marcy campus to the Griffiss UAS test site, Central New York’s high-tech industry is growing and there are many educational institutions that will be playing a major part in advancing the research and education necessary to support that industry. The National Science Foundation provides critical funding for such programs, and it would be an invaluable resource to have the NSF experts come to Central New York to help those institutions like MVCC learn how to maximize their chances of receiving funding,” said Schumer.
Schumer continued, “We know that high-tech manufacturing has the potential to create a new generation of good paying jobs in New York, and we need to be ready to fill those jobs with qualified students. With that in mind, we need to create a world-class infrastructure in education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and manufacturing – and the NSF can help.”
The National Science Foundation holds Grant Writing Workshops periodically across the county to discuss and provide strategies for preparing and submitting grant proposals. Grants cover multiple program areas, such as Computer and Information Science and Engineering, which would be applicable to the growing industries in Central New York. These funding opportunities aid the development and continuation of research projects and could add to a school’s ability to provide cutting-edge STEM education programs. The Mohawk Valley is uniquely qualified to benefit from many of these grants as Central New York is undergoing an economic revitalization fueled by nanotech and high-tech business growth. Nearby colleges, including Hamilton College, Utica College, SUNY IT, Colgate University, HCCC, and Morrisville College, would send staff to learn tactics to gain a competitive edge when submitting grant applications to the National Science Foundation for funding in the science and technology fields.
Senator Schumer has been an instrumental in supporting Central New York’s rise as a center for science and technology. Most recently, a computer chip manufacturing plant planned for Marcy, New York, just ten miles from MVCC, could lead to 5,000 new jobs and reach a total investment of $45 billion in the next 10 – 15 years. Senator Schumer explained that helping more funding flow into this nascent industry will greatly benefit the Mohawk Valley.
A copy of Senator Schumer’s letter to Director Marrett of the NSF is below:
Dr. Cora B. Marrett, Director
I am writing to express my support for the consideration of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant Writing Workshop to be hosted by Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC). MVCC has offered to host a NSF workshop to bring together staff from nearby colleges, including Hamilton College, Utica College, SUNY IT, Colgate University, HCCC, and Morrisville College, just to name a few. A workshop like this would allow Central New York educational stakeholders to gain important knowledge on the steps that should be taken to prepare grant applications related to the funding and continuation of important scientific study.
Bringing a NSF Grant Writing Workshop to MVCC would also greatly benefit the surrounding community. It was recently announced that a computer chip manufacturing plant is planned 10 miles away from MVCC in Marcy, New York. This project could employ up to 5,000 people and reach a total investment of $45 billion in the next 10 to 15 years. With such a huge scientific and technical investment coming to the Mohawk Valley, I believe it would be of great interest to the NSF to host a grant writing workshop in the heart of the action. Moreover, the college will soon be working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to advance the Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) industry. The college was part of a successful team chosen to work on this effort nationally.
Again, by hosting a NSF Grant Writing Workshop, MVCC and other surrounding colleges will gain further insight on how to properly secure funding for additional scientific research initiatives. Having this knowledge will not only allow colleges and universities to have the tools to teach their students, it will improve our communities as well. Hosting a workshop at MVCC will certainly further advance the National Science Foundation’s objective of promoting the “progress of science; to advance national health, prosperity and welfare; and to secure national defense.”
Thank you for your attention. Please feel free to contact my Regional Director, Angelo Roefaro, should you have any further questions as it relates to Mohawk Valley Community College hosting a National Science Foundation grant writing workshop.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
U.S. Senator