Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced she has awarded $4.7 million in grants to fund research into challenges facing businesses and governments, including how to increase agriculture production, reduce pollution, build more resilient infrastructure and improve wireless communications.
The 11 grants from the Alabama Research and Development Enhancement Fund will help researchers at two universities and a research institution study new approaches for advancing industry and protecting the environment.
“Researchers at these institutions have a track record of forging innovations that improve people’s lives in Alabama and beyond,” Gov. Ivey said. “Their far-reaching research impacts everything from the next wave of technology to the conservation of our forests. I am proud to support this important and pioneering work through these grant awards.”
The research and development fund was established by the Alabama Legislature in 2019 and signed into law by Ivey as part of the Alabama Innovation Act. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ Energy Division is administering the research grant program.
“These projects have the potential to create significant advances that will have a positive effect on many lives,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Kay Ivey in support of these cutting-edge efforts.”
Below are the grant recipients and their projects.
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (Huntsville)
- $309,576 for a study focused on agricultural innovation in Alabama’s Wiregrass region
- $938,992 to research the use of biotechnology to accelerate crop growth in Alabama
- $999,803 for a research study focused on safeguarding Alabama’s wild forests
Auburn University
- $107,388 to study ways to reduce ammonia emissions from poultry production
- $125,925 to study advanced methods of information exchange for the next generation of wireless technology
University of Alabama
- $500,000 to find efficient and affordable ways to remove microplastics and other pollutants from textile manufacturing
- $75,000 to develop high-strength concrete optimized for infrastructure
- $65,000 to develop ultra-high-performance concrete for use in coastal areas
- $300,000 for a research study on safely extracting critical minerals from hazardous dust that is a byproduct of steel production
- $399,214 for a research study on using artificial intelligence to design new methods for water treatment and handling waste created during the 3D printing process
- $880,743 for a study focused on innovating the systems involved in the production, processing and distribution of food
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
