FSU Awarded Prestigious Research Grant from NSF to Lead Regional Innovation
Oct 14, 2025 8:00 AM
Frostburg State University has been awarded a 3-year, $400,000 federal research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of a larger $2 million national collaborative research initiative. This award represents one of the largest NSF research investments in FSU’s history and the first of its kind in more than 20 years. Frostburg is among a cohort of four other higher education institutions working to support groundbreaking research to help satisfy regional needs.
“This award is a testament to the excellence and impact of the research conducted by our faculty,” said Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD, interim president at FSU. “We are so excited about the new knowledge the project will generate and the opportunities it creates.”
The project, titled Advancing Regional Innovation through Sustainable Engagement (ARISE), is funded through NSF’s Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) program. The ARISE initiative is being led by Dr. Xunyu Pan, professor of computer science and principal investigator of the project and will support the launch of the Appalachian Innovation Institute, a university-wide research and innovation hub focused on applied, use-inspired research and regional impact. Dr. Pan coordinates interdisciplinary research and external partnerships across the five-institution network.
“This transformative investment will create a durable footprint for innovation in Western Maryland and beyond,” said Dr. Sudhir Singh, dean of FSU’s College of Business, Engineering, Computing and Analytics and Dr. Pan’s co-principal investigator. “By harnessing the exceptional talent of our faculty and students, the Appalachian Innovation Institute will serve as a lasting engine for regional growth – connecting our University’s research capabilities with the entrepreneurial energy of our communities and positioning the region as a hub for technological advancement and economic opportunity.”
The Appalachian Innovation Institute will not only benefit Western Maryland – it will serve as a national model for how rural public universities can drive technological advancement and economic transformation. Research will target four emerging technology areas critical to regional and national competitiveness: Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing. This initiative aims to position FSU as a regional leader in applied research and innovation.
“The Appalachian Innovation Institute will enhance faculty and student engagement in applied research, expand partnerships with academia, industry and government, as well as advance impactful, use-inspired innovations that address regional challenges,” said Dr. Pan. “The mission of the Institute is to strengthen Frostburg State University’s research enterprise and foster a sustainable innovation ecosystem across Western Maryland and the broader Appalachian region.”
The ARISE project emphasizes hands-on research experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students. Through thesis projects, faculty-led research and collaboration with industry partners, students will gain technical expertise and real-world skills to prepare them for leadership in science, technology and innovation fields.
The initiative will also expand FSU’s reach into major innovation corridors such as the Washington-Baltimore innovation district and the Pittsburgh AI and robotics hub, opening new opportunities for research partnerships, technology transfer and regional engagement.
This award marks a major milestone for Frostburg State University and aligns with the NSF’s strategic goal of supporting Emerging Research Institutions. This federal investment also affirms FSU’s rising stature as a leader in applied research and community-engaged innovation.
Pictured above: Dr. Sudhir Singh, Sara Wilhelm and Dr. Xunyu Pan at the NSF EPIIC Workshop in Atlanta.