Stevens' E2 Program Receives $570,000 from National Science Foundation
Dr. Lex McCusker,
Dean of Stevens' Wesley J. Howe
School of Technology Management
Stevens Institute of Technology has received a two-year grant of $569,853 from the National Science Foundation for the development of its Environmental Entrepreneurship Program (E2). The project aims to create and implement an E2- Lab at Stevens to foster the rapid integration of economically successful environmental innovations capable of being adopted by existing companies or supporting new ventures.
Stevens is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness and cross-disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science and technology management.
"The E2-Lab will be an unconventional, novel and rapid vehicle for the transformation of scientific breakthroughs and technological advances into innovations in the area of environmental technologies," said Dr. Thomas Lechler, associate professor of technology management at Stevens. "By combining the technology push that characterizes conventional technology transfer routes with the market pull, the team expects to reduce the usual three- to four-year time frame for technology transfer to atmost two years."
Dr. Lex McCusker, dean of Stevens' Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management, will serve as the project's principal investigator. According to McCusker, the initial success of the E2-Lab will be evaluated by the sustainable establishment of a network of innovation partners, the creation of a multidisciplinary curriculum for engineers and scientists, and the creation of at least one environmental venture and one successful innovation during the funding period of two years.
"Beyond the initial funding stage," McCusker said, "it will be critical to maintain the participation of these partners. This will be accomplished by the long-term attributes of the E2-Lab, the creation of value for all participating parties resulting in an economically self-maintaining endeavor that becomes viable independent of government funding."
In recognition of Steven's Institute as a distinguished and valuable contributor to the economic viability of the regional tech-based community, the EDA has expressed support for the implementation for the E2-Lab. As a result, the EDA will serve as a member of the E2-Lab Board, promote and participate in E2-Lab conferences, participate in E2-Lab workshops, and participate in student mentorship programs.
In addition to the EDA, the chosen network of partners for the E2-Lab also includes: Dr. Lex McCusker, Venture Association New Jersey, New Jersey Technology Council, NJ Jumpstart, Stryker Corporation, the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
For more information, visit www.stevens.edu.