08.24.15

Hoeven: NSF Awards More Than $800,000 to NDSU, UND

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded more than $800,000 to North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the University of North Dakota (UND).

“Securing our nation’s future begins by laying a strong foundation for our young people and making sure that our future workforce is equipped with the training and tools they need to be successful,” Hoeven said. “Today’s funding will support ground-breaking power grid research at UND and STEM education in North Dakota, which will help to make sure that our state continues to be a leader in innovation.”

The funds are awarded as follows:

  • University of North Dakota – $215,622 – The funds will be used to support research that will enhance reliable operation of smart grids without costly infrastructure improvements. Ultimately, the research seeks to prevent and resolve unexpected blackouts, which account for approximately $90 billion in losses every year for American consumers and businesses. 
  • North Dakota State University – $587,517 – The funds will be used to support a six-week program at NDSU in which teachers study at the Research Experiences for Teachers in Engineering Site to focus on precision agriculture, electrical software and hardware and bio-based materials to further STEM education in rural classrooms.

Earlier this year, the Senate passed the Every Child Achieves Act which included legislation Senator Hoeven and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) offered to bolster STEM education. Hoeven is a member of the Senate STEM Education Caucus and the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus.

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