In the spirit of innovation, Governor Kay Ivey has awarded $4.85 million in grants to five Alabama universities and a research institution. Keep reading to learn how this money will invest in the innovative future of Alabama.

$4.85M in Grants Awarded to Alabama Institutions

Auburn, Alabama — Auburn University received a portion of $4.85M in grants to fund innovation. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

On Thursday, October 28th, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) announced that they would be administering $4.85M in grants to several Alabama institutions, in order to encourage research and innovation to improve life in the state and beyond.

The funds are drawn from the Alabama Research and Development Enhancement Fund, a state-funded program under the Alabama Innovation Act, which was signed into law by Governor Ivey in 2019.

The $4.85M in grants were awarded to several Alabama institutions:

The University of Alabama in Huntsville
- $603,206 – To train students on advanced manufacturing processes.
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (Huntsville)
- $968,365 – To develop better agriculture seed varieties to produce healthier and more productive crops. HudsonAlpha is collaborating with Alabama A&M University and Auburn University on the project.
University of North Alabama
- $10,353- To research the development of an ultra-sensitive biosensor with the outcome resulting in improvements in the food and health-care industries.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
- $700,000 – To develop a process to improve the effectiveness of a procedure used to help amputees.
- $635,927 – To develop more effective pneumococcal vaccines.
Auburn University
- $727,677 – To research producing jet and diesel fuels from woody biomass and waste plastics.
- $294,008 – To research and access the economic feasibility of converting organic wastes into bioplastics.
- $268,353 – To conduct research involving polymer smart machines.
- $300,432- To develop soybean hulls as a means to keep aquaculture feed pellets in mass resulting in less waste and more intake by farm-raised fish and shellfish.
The University of Alabama
- $341,679 – To conduct research to improve building and transportation infrastructure.

“Our universities and research institutions in Alabama truly impact the world, and I am proud to continue investing in the important work they are doing. This $4.85 million is an investment in the future of Alabama and the future of research.”
Governor Kay Ivey, Press Release from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

Excited to see how these institutions will utilize this grant money? Tag us @thebamabuzz to let us know!