KU Innovation Park will receive $22 million in federal funding for the Kansas National Security Innovation Center.
“This facility will enhance the growing cybersecurity and defense industry cluster at the Park,” according to a news release announcing the funds. “It will play a pivotal role in advancing research and innovation pertaining to national security, contributing directly to safeguarding the nation’s interests. KNSIC will also bolster the expanding expertise at the University of Kansas in this field.”
Phase IV of the KNSIC will include an 80,000-square-foot building near the current Innovation Park facility on the University of Kansas’ west campus, and it’s estimated to bring more than 250 jobs to the park, according to the release.
“The KNSIC will foster collaboration between academia, industry and government, driving innovation, creating jobs and enhancing the regional economy,” according to the release. “The high-security office and lab space will enable collaborative research and commercialization of national security technologies.”
Adam Courtney, CEO of KU Innovation Park, said in the release that the investment underscores the park’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge research and strengthening the nation’s security.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran helped secure the funding as co-chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, according to the release. He announced the funding as part of the FBI and KU Cybersecurity Conference on Thursday.
“KU is developing into a major research and development hub, and these federal resources will help expand the great work being done at KU Innovation Park,” Moran said in the release. “Equipping the Park with a high-security dry lab will enable KU to obtain more federal and private contracts to work on innovative solutions to some of our nation’s complex challenges. I look forward to seeing how the new lab will contribute to our national success and provide Kansas students with a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity.”
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