Fayetteville State University is proud to be announced as NCInnovation’s (NCI) newest regional hub location focused on supporting applied research at FSU and other regional public universities that has potential to yield new high growth businesses and new jobs. The hub will leverage and build upon the institution’s leadership role as an economic growth engine throughout the Sandhills Region.

“Fayetteville State University is thrilled to become one of the seven university headquarter locations for NCInnovation’s applied research support for the state in the Sandhills region. I applaud the vision of our state legislature in establishing a state budget of $500 million in NCInnovation reserve in support of research discoveries that have true commercial promise,” said FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison in a press release. “Likewise, we truly appreciate the UNC System and the NCInnovation Board of Directors for selecting Fayetteville State University as a hub. I am confident that researchers from nearby campuses and industries, especially those focused on defense and security innovations, will be able to capitalize on this opportunity. This initiative will significantly impact communities both near and far.”

One key focus of the Innovation Hub at FSU will be defense, emphasizing the area’s connection and partnership with the U.S. Military and Fort Liberty. This positions researchers at FSU and in the region with a unique opportunity to strengthen military partnerships with business and educational institutions in the area.

With NCI’s presence at FSU, regional researchers whose projects have market potential gain access to support and capital. NCI will assist researchers in the region to advance projects toward commercialization by connecting grant recipients with industry and business services. Utilizing public investment, the organization is boosting North Carolina’s universities and economic outlook through innovative research commercialization.

“The university-to-industry pipeline is central to innovation, here in North Carolina and the United States,” said NCI’s Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer Michelle Bolas in a press release. We want faculty to build something amazing and enduring that grows in the private sector. Fayetteville State University has brilliant researchers working on groundbreaking discoveries, and we’re thrilled to be deepening our partnership with the university.”

NCInnovation is a nonprofit organization that provides grant funding and other support to university researchers working on discoveries that have practical applications and commercial promise. Earlier this year, NCInnovation approved its first slate of research grants to support projects at seven universities. NCInnovation will expand its team to support the pipeline of projects in these areas.

“In short, this is a monumental moment for our faculty, researchers in both local and regional universities to exercise their ingenuity, creativity and genius with real potential for commercialization,” Chancellor Allison added in a press release.

FSU is one of three new NCInnovation hubs announced by the UNC System Office. Along with Appalachian State University and University of North Carolina Wilmington, FSU joins the initial four locations at East Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Western Carolina University, bringing the total to seven headquarters across the state.