July 3, 2024 – Rome, NY – On Thursday, June 27, Griffiss Institute hosted an Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Day at the Innovare Advancement Center. The event brought in representatives from AFOSR to showcase the diverse programs they offer to local universities.
The event was attended by more than 100 individuals from various prestigious institutions, including Binghamton University, Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Mohawk Valley Community College, Stony Brook University, Syracuse University, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, University at Buffalo, University at Albany, Kent State University, SUNY Canton, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, and Washington State University. The goal was to unlock insights, foster collaborations, and explore funding opportunities that will shape the future of research excellence in Central New York.
In the days leading up to the event, AFOSR representatives met with select Rome, NY Air Force Research Lab Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) scientists and engineers. These meetings aimed to develop an understanding of the programs and people at AFRL/RI and develop an understanding of AFRL/RI’s talent recruitment procedures and research opportunities.
The event began with brief overviews of the Air Force Research Lab Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) located in Rome, NY as well as the Griffiss Institute, followed by detailed presentations on the various programs offered by AFOSR that could benefit the area. These programs included the Summer Faculty Fellowship Program (SFFP), the Young Investigator Program (YIP), Multi-University Research Initiative (MURI), the Air Force Work Project (AFWERX), and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, among others.
The event also featured smaller, breakout sessions, allowing attendees to delve deeper into each program. A special session for Community Colleges was also held, highlighting specific opportunities available to these institutions. Throughout the day, attendees were given the additional option to go on a tour of the Innovare Advancement Center to provide them with an inside look at the groundbreaking work and progress being made at the center from its UAS testing site to its Quantum and Internet of Thing (IoT) labs.
Griffiss Institute remains committed to fostering innovation and collaboration, and events like AFOSR Day are crucial in advancing research and development efforts in the region.
