OCAST awards over $4M for projects

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) this week awarded more than $4 million for 61 research and development projects that include innovations in energy, aerospace, agriculture, health and other critical industries.

“The quality of applications we received this year demonstrate that Oklahoma’s research and development capacity continues to grow,” stated Dan Luton, director of programs for OCAST.

In addition to awarding funding for research and development projects, OCAST also awarded 10 internship projects through the Intern Partnerships program. The Intern Partnerships program is designed to serve as a bridge between Oklahoma’s universities and innovative firms across the state. Through participation in project-based experiential learning opportunities, these students will be better prepared to enter into the workforce upon the completion of their degrees.

Three projects have been funded in the new Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship initiative, which provides OCAST funding to support postdoctoral fellows who work on projects that form the basis of new high-technology health care research and development industry for the state.

“Oklahoma has shown a significant commitment to growing and diversifying our economy,” OCAST Executive Director C. Michael Carolina said.

“Succeeding in the knowledge economy requires strong publicprivate partnerships as exhibited through the Oklahoma Innovation Model (the partnership between OCAST, i2E, the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance and OSU’s New Product Development Center).”