Intellectual capital fuels Connecticut’s entrepreneurial companies, and that capital has just gotten a $2.9 million boost from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) – which is good news for Connecticut Innovations and the state.

ED recently selected four proposals from the University of Connecticut’s School of Engineering and one proposal from Yale University School of Nursing for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) awards. These grants support fellowships for graduate students pursuing doctoral degrees in areas of national need–namely, biology, chemistry, computer and information sciences, engineering, mathematics, nursing and physics.

The $2.9 million in GAANN funding expected to flow into Connecticut over the next three years will support fellowships for more than 25 doctoral candidates who intend to pursue careers in teaching or research in areas of national need. The federal goal is to enhance the capacity for teaching and research in these areas. And the implication for Connecticut is that, with these grants, we will be able to cultivate a greater number of highly qualified technology minds in our state – a good thing for the nation, our Connecticut economy and Connecticut Innovations. The scientific discoveries of the GAANN Ph.D.s and/or their students may someday evolve into exciting new products or form the basis of new, entrepreneurial companies that could become portfolio clients of CI. 

I am excited that UConn and Yale have been selected for these awards.  Whether they realize it or not, they are helping to advance CI’s strategic mission to drive a vibrant, entrepreneurial technology-based economy in Connecticut. I congratulate both UConn and Yale on this noteworthy achievement!

Joan McDonald
Chair, Connecticut Innovations

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