Three Georgia Tech projects will receive more than $4.7 million in direct Congressional funds to support efforts across the State of Georgia to enhance STEM education, serve underrepresented businesses, and advance hydrogen research. These initiatives were included in the $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill that was signed into law on December 29, 2022.

“We are very grateful for the strong support Georgia Tech received from Senator Warnock, Senator Ossoff, Congressman David Scott and Congressman Carter,” said Ángel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. “These Congressionally directed funds are a critical investment in the wide-ranging work happening at Georgia Tech as we address some of the most important education and economic development needs of our nation and state.”

Engaging Children of Military Families in Robotics and Invention Based STEM Competitions

Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) will receive $215,000 from the Department of Education to enhance STEM education in local school districts serving military families in southeast Georgia. Submitted by Congressman Carter, Senator Ossoff and Senator Warnock, this project will provide school-aged children with early exposure to areas in STEM such as robotics, engineering, and entrepreneurship, as well as offer unique opportunities and training in CEISMC’s areas of expertise.

"CEISMC is thrilled to be able to bring innovative and exciting STEM programming to military families in Congressional District 1. By engaging children in robotics, invention, and coding, addressed at providing solutions to real world problems, we hope to support the next generation of scientists, researchers, and engineers,” said Lizanne DeStefano, Executive Director of CEISMC.

This project will be led by CEISMC’s team at Georgia Tech’s campus in Savannah, Georgia, in partnership with schools on the following military bases: Moody Airforce Base, Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, Fort Stewart, and Hunter Army Airfield.

Growing Underrepresented Companies in Manufacturing, Logistics, Warehousing, and Transportation

The Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech will receive $495,547 to launch an outreach, educational, and technical assistance program that will connect and serve small to midsize businesses of these four sectors located within Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. Supported by Congressman David Scott, this project will provide underrepresented companies with opportunities for expansion through connections made with corporate and governmental entities, as well as essential tools and services to improve business operations and address workforce needs.

"We appreciate the support and commitment from Congressman Scott to help minority-owned businesses in his district," said Donna Ennis, Director of Diversity Engagement and Program Development at Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute. "This effort will help bring much needed strategic resources to further improve their operations and increase access to financing and greater opportunities."

Georgia Hydrogen Testing Consortium

The Strategic Energy Institute will receive $4,000,000 to develop the safety, gas handling and logistics infrastructure to support Georgia Tech’s efforts in the growing hydrogen economy. Submitted by Congressman Carter, Senator Ossoff and Senator Warnock, the center will enable cutting edge research to advance hydrogen utilization, technology development in collaboration with companies invested in this area, as well as offer professional education and workforce development resources through Clark Atlanta University.

“These funds will enable us to substantially expand our infrastructure for handling hydrogen and hydrogen carriers, such as ammonia and sustainable aviation fuels,” said Tim Lieuwen, Executive Director of the Strategic Energy Institute.  “These will allow us to further build upon the great partnerships we have developed over the last two decades with key technology developers and the federal government in basic science, technology development and testing of high efficiency, clean energy and propulsion systems.”