Edge Joins Forces with New Jersey Institute of Technology-Led Team to Secure a $1.25 Million National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE Grant, the New Jersey Equity in Commercialization Collective (NJECC), to Ensure Women Scholars Flourish as Inventors
NEWARK, NJ, December 8, 2021 – Edge is pleased to join a team of NJIT-led New Jersey scholars with a mission to identify and eliminate barriers on university campuses to technology commercialization, such as patenting, licensing and the formation of startup ventures.
Supported by a $1.25 million ADVANCE grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Edge will work in conjunction with the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) and NJIT’s collaborators in the New Jersey Equity in Commercialization Collective (NJECC). Collaborators in the NJECC also include New Jersey City University, Princeton University, Rowan University, Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, Stevens Institute of Technology and St. Peters University.
Edge’s Associate Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Sponsored Programs, Dr. Forough Ghahramani–a co-PI for the grant–explains, “The goal of the group is to significantly increase the diversity of STEM faculty researchers in the state who become successful innovators and entrepreneurs.” An expert on the use of data and collaboration resources to promote diversity in innovation, Dr. Ghahramani explains, “Collectively, we hope to establish statewide network development programs, such as showcases and conferences, that encourage participation by underrepresented groups.”
The project’s leaders say its effectiveness will be assessed by an independent evaluator looking at both short-term and long-term successes. Successes will be measured based on increased awareness of commercialization resources by women STEM researchers, as well as support. Longer term, the group envisions a demonstrable increase in the number and diversity of women who are actually commercializing their research.
To learn more about the NSF ADVANCE funded NJECC project, visit https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2121941
