IU researchers awarded NSF grant for fluorescent materials discovery

The National Science Foundation has awarded a trio of researchers at Indiana University Bloomington $1.8 million to advance research on a unique invention. The researchers discovered the world's brightest-known fluorescent solid materials, which the university says could be used to advance technologies such as solar panels, solid state lasers, and medical imaging devices.... Read More

Purdue: Gift to support 40 years of cancer research

A surprise $8.5 million gift from the estate of a former professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University has been earmarked to support cancer research at the lab of renowned researcher Dr. Philip Low. The university says the gift from Dr. John Capaldi, who died in 2020, will fund more than 40 years' worth of research.... Read More

VU Invests in Elementary School STEM Studios

Vincennes University is partnering with the Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center at Purdue University to STEM education studios at elementary schools throughout the Hoosier State. The university says the Design and Innovation Studios will help cultivate the next generation of high-tech minds.... Read More

Indiana Tech Receives $1.5M for STEM Training

The federal Economic Development Administration is awarding a $1.5 million grant to Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne to support workforce training efforts. The funding, which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, will allow the school to purchase technical equipment that will support 11 engineering- and manufacturing-related certification programs.... Read More

IDOE to Launch Reading, STEM Coaching Programs

The Indiana Department of Education has announced a partnership with 69 schools throughout the state to launch programs that will provide coaching to teachers in reading or STEM subjects. The IDOE is deploying $20 million from the second round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund to cover the full cost of programming for the 2022-2023 school year.... Read More

Indy AgTech Startup Secures Seed Round

An Indianapolis-based agtech startup has closed on a $1.3 million seed round of funding. Smart Apply Inc., which has developed a precision spray system designed to reduce pesticide use and costs, says it will use the funding to further preparations for an upcoming Series A round.... Read More

Donation to Establish Endowed Faculty Professorship

An alumnus donation will establish the first endowed faculty professorship at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Department of Chemical Engineering. The school says John and Anne Swearingen's $2 million donation will also support laboratory and technology improvements for the department. ... Read More

Department of Ed Names STEM Certified Schools

The Indiana Department of Education has named 15 schools throughout the state as STEM Certified Schools. The certification is awarded to schools that are “focused on a commitment to teaching STEM disciplines beyond the classroom.”... Read More

Ed Tech Game Firm Receives $1M in Research Funding

A West Lafayette-based startup that makes science-focused games for elementary-age students has received $1 million in Small Business Innovation Research funding from the National Science Foundation. Explore Interactive, which markets its MindLabs interactive games, has also been awarded $75,000 from Elevate Ventures through the SBIR/STTR Phase II Matching Program.... Read More

Purdue, Ivy Tech Partner on Microelectronics

Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College are teaming up to boost the microelectronics workforce. The schools have inked an agreement they say will provide collaborative educational opportunities for microelectronics faculty and students while also exploring ways to attract talent.... Read More

The Little Engine That Could

A fifth-grade teacher in the rural northern Indiana community of Nappanee is doing his part to fuel the state’s STEM pipeline. In the heart of Amish Country, Jake Simons not only created a robotics program from scratch, against all odds he built a program that won the 2019 robotics world championship. ... Read More

Lilly Grant to Support Rose-Hulman STEM Camps

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has received a nearly $650,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. in Indianapolis to support STEM enrichment. The grant is part of Lilly's Indiana Youth Programs on Campus initiative, which supports college- and university-led summer camp enrichment for students who have historically been underrepresented in higher education.... Read More

Rocket Fuel Startup Closes $20M Round

West Lafayette-based startup Adranos Inc. has closed on a $20 million Series A funding round to help the company continue its development of solid rocket fuel and motors for long-range missiles and space systems. ... Read More

Skyepack Lands Growth Investment

An education tech company in West Lafayette has received what it calls a significant growth investment led by the Purdue Startup Fund. While the specific amount was not immediately disclosed, Skyepack says it will use the funding to further product development.... Read More

Campaign Launched to Expand Robotics Program

TechPoint Foundation for Youth has begun a campaign to expand its after-school State Robotics Initiative into classrooms to encourage an extra 1,000 Hoosier girls and children of color toward careers in tech. The foundation says SRI is its largest program, with 24,000 students participating.... Read More

Techstars Announces Sports Accelerator Cohort

The Techstars Sports Accelerator Powered by Indy has announced its class of 2022 that will take part in a 13-week program. The accelerator includes 13 sports technology-focused startups and will culminate in a demo day where participants will be able to present to potential investors.... Read More