By Delayna Earley
The Island News
The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) was awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
The grant came from the NSF Engines program and USCB joins more than 40 teams from across the U.S. in receiving the NSF Engines Development Awards meant to encourage collaboration to create societal, economic and technological opportunities within the region.
Eleven proposals were submitted from the state of South Carolina, and the one from USCB was the only one chosen.
“That goes to show the exclusive company that we are in with this grant,” said Eric Skipper, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at USCB.
A press conference was held on June 9, 2023, at the USCB Cybersecurity Lab on Boundary St., but the grant was originally announced on May 17.
“The intent of the grant falls into three big areas, workforce development, research and education,” Skipper said.
Regarding research, USCB is hoping to build regional research partnerships aimed at accelerating technology development.
They also want to make a positive impact on the region and make high-wage, local jobs.
This is meant to tie to the educational master plan which puts a focus on innovation.
The faculty at USCB has been engaging in “use-inspired research,” which is research that has a specific application to problem solving and improving quality of life in our region.
Not only is the faculty involved in this, but they have been trying to include the students in all aspects of research and other projects that they are engaged in.
The grant will allow USCB, along with 12 partners, to plan for the South Coast Regional Innovation Engine which will conduct research to find and understand risks and vulnerabilities in the regional maritime ecosystem in hopes of developing technology to enhance the safety and security of our ports.
Skipper said that what the grant is doing is solving problems around maritime cybersecurity, which is nationally recognized as a need.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She spent six years as a videographer and photographer for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette before leaving the Lowcountry in 2018. After freelancing in Myrtle Beach and Virginia, she joined The Island News when she moved back to Beaufort in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
