Two leading research hubs at Stony Brook University have been named Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs) by New York State, a designation that brings with it long-term support and a total of $20 million in funding for the centers to accelerate innovation, workforce development and economic impact. Stony Brook is the only institution in the state to receive two CAT designations in this funding cycle, further cementing its leadership in both the life sciences and clean energy innovation ecosystems.
The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) and the Center for Advanced Technology in Grid Innovation, Development, and Deployment (GrIDD) – formerly known as the Center for Integrated Electric Energy Systems (CIEES) – have both earned redesignation by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). Both centers previously held this designation and successfully competed in the latest application cycle to secure it again. Each will receive $1 million annually for the next 10 years, helping Stony Brook continue to lead in areas vital to New York’s future: life sciences, clean energy, and grid resilience.
“The re-designation of both the Center for Biotechnology and GrIDD as Centers for Advanced Technology is a testament to Stony Brook University’s unwavering commitment to pioneering research that directly fuels economic growth and workforce development in New York State,” said Stony Brook Vice President for Research and Innovation Kevin Gardner. “These centers are crucial in translating groundbreaking discoveries into real-world solutions, from advancing life-saving biotechnologies to building a more resilient and sustainable energy future. We’re incredibly proud to be the only institution in the state to receive dual CAT designations, solidifying our leadership in vital innovation ecosystems.”
“The Center for Biotechnology has served as a critical bridge between academic research and commercial success,” said Clinton Rubin, director of the CFB. “This re-designation ensures we can continue to expand our impact, helping innovators bring breakthrough technology to market and strengthening New York’s position as a leader in the bioscience industry.”
The CFB has long supported early-stage biomedical technology and startup growth. The center is known for advancing technologies from the lab to the marketplace, and for helping train the next generation of life science leaders.
“We are excited to build upon the successful foundation of strong entrepreneurial networks, infrastructure, and programming that we have built over the last four decades,” said Diane Fabel, chief operating officer for the CFB. “The impacts we have had during our last designation period include over $1 billion in total economic impact with more than 1,000 jobs created, and driving more than $315 million in follow-on funding. We are excited to see those numbers continue to grow when we celebrate fifty years of hard work at the end of this redesignation period.”
For decades, the CFB has been a driving force behind breakthrough biomedical research, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem development. From early investments in pioneering technologies such as those that led to ReoPro, Cavistat, Oracea and XIAFLEX, to supporting the launch of transformative biotech ventures like Codagenix and Envisagenics, the CFB has consistently championed innovation at its earliest stages. The CFB has also played a foundational role as a partner in building infrastructure that enables life science innovation, including the establishment of NewYorkBio (NY, NY), the Long Island High Technology Incubator (Stony Brook, NY), and the Center for Bioengineering (Stony Brook University, NY).
Stony Brook’s newly renamed Center for Advanced Technology in Grid Innovation, Development, and Deployment (GrIDD) will continue its mission of building a more resilient and sustainable energy future. With a focus on clean energy technology and modernizing the power grid, GrIDD is also helping shape New York’s energy workforce.
“Growth of energy and grid tech companies are pivotal for New York State to achieve its energy goals,” said David Hamilton, senior director of corporate engagement in the Office for Research and Innovation and former center director of CIEES. “CIEES, under the original contract, was leading the transformation of the NYS energy landscape by fostering small company innovation matched with faculty/industry collaboration. With surging demand driven by electric vehicles, AI, data centers, and electrification initiatives, this newly awarded center, led by Abdelrahim Brown, will play a critical role in addressing the need for reliable and sustainable energy systems.”
“GrIDD’s redesignation as a Center for Advanced Technology is a vote of confidence in the collaborative work our team and partners have been doing to strengthen New York’s grid,” said Center Director of GrIDD, Abdelrahim Brown. “This sustained support will allow us to deepen industry partnerships, advance practical solutions for grid resilience and clean-energy integration, and help prepare the next generation of talent. We’re excited to build on this momentum and continue delivering tangible benefits for New Yorkers.”
The CAT program, established in 1983, supports university-based centers that focus on applied research and technology commercialization. CATs are selected based on their research strengths, partnerships with industry, and potential to contribute to job creation and innovation in New York State.
“NYSTAR’s Centers for Advanced Technology are vital to our strategic efforts to grow New York’s economy and the state’s greater innovation ecosystem,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. “By investing in the industries of tomorrow, New Yorkers benefit today through dynamic partnerships that help to create new jobs, generate more revenues, and encourage more companies to establish a footprint in communities all throughout the state.”
These redesignations are part of a larger cohort of 10 centers statewide nine of which were redesignated during this most recent round of designated centers. Through its CAT designations, Stony Brook will continue to work on creating jobs, supporting startup ecosystems, and delivering solutions to current health and energy challenges.
Stony Brook’s Office for Research and Innovation offers startups and young companies more than 100,000 square feet of designated incubator space, or “virtual” participation through nonresident programs, across a technology spectrum from advanced materials and biotechnology to clean tech, software, IT hardware and innovations too new to name. The Research and Innovation program includes entrée to world-class technology and sector-focused programming, specialized facilities and access to the university’s exceptional faculty, student talent and assistance in securing early-stage financing.
NYSTAR advances technology innovation and commercialization in New York State and offers programs that assist companies from start-up through maturity, leveraging the state’s unparalleled investment in world-class technology assets and expertise. It provides about $80 million annually in funding to support over 80 centers that provide direct assistance to New York State companies and manufacturing-led growth and job creation. Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state, with offices in each of the state’s 10 regions.
— News Original —
Research Centers Designated Centers for Advanced Technology
Two leading research hubs at Stony Brook University have been named Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs) by New York State, a designation that brings with it long-term support and a total of $20 million in funding for the centers to accelerate innovation, workforce development and economic impact. Stony Brook is the only institution in the state to receive two CAT designations in this funding cycle, further cementing its leadership in both the life sciences and clean energy innovation ecosystems.
The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) and the Center for Advanced Technology in Grid Innovation, Development, and Deployment (GrIDD) – formerly known as the Center for Integrated Electric Energy Systems (CIEES) – have both earned redesignation by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). Both centers previously held this designation and successfully competed in the latest application cycle to secure it again. Each will receive $1 million annually for the next 10 years, helping Stony Brook continue to lead in areas vital to New York’s future: life sciences, clean energy, and grid resilience.
“The re-designation of both the Center for Biotechnology and GrIDD as Centers for Advanced Technology is a testament to Stony Brook University’s unwavering commitment to pioneering research that directly fuels economic growth and workforce development in New York State,” said Stony Brook Vice President for Research and Innovation Kevin Gardner. “These centers are crucial in translating groundbreaking discoveries into real-world solutions, from advancing life-saving biotechnologies to building a more resilient and sustainable energy future. We’re incredibly proud to be the only institution in the state to receive dual CAT designations, solidifying our leadership in vital innovation ecosystems.”
“The Center for Biotechnology has served as a critical bridge between academic research and commercial success,” said Clinton Rubin, director of the CFB. “This re-designation ensures we can continue to expand our impact, helping innovators bring breakthrough technology to market and strengthening New York’s position as a leader in the bioscience industry.”
The CFB has long supported early-stage biomedical technology and startup growth. The center is known for advancing technologies from the lab to the marketplace, and for helping train the next generation of life science leaders.
“We are excited to build upon the successful foundation of strong entrepreneurial networks, infrastructure, and programming that we have built over the last four decades,” said Diane Fabel, chief operating officer for the CFB. “The impacts we have had during our last designation period include over $1 billion in total economic impact with more than 1,000 jobs created, and driving more than $315 million in follow-on funding. We are excited to see those numbers continue to grow when we celebrate fifty years of hard work at the end of this redesignation period.”
For decades, the CFB has been a driving force behind breakthrough biomedical research, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem development. From early investments in pioneering technologies such as those that led to ReoPro, Cavistat, Oracea and XIAFLEX, to supporting the launch of transformative biotech ventures like Codagenix and Envisagenics, the CFB has consistently championed innovation at its earliest stages. The CFB has also played a foundational role as a partner in building infrastructure that enables life science innovation, including the establishment of NewYorkBio (NY, NY), the Long Island High Technology Incubator (Stony Brook, NY), and the Center for Bioengineering (Stony Brook University, NY).
Stony Brook’s newly renamed Center for Advanced Technology in Grid Innovation, Development, and Deployment (GrIDD) will continue its mission of building a more resilient and sustainable energy future. With a focus on clean energy technology and modernizing the power grid, GrIDD is also helping shape New York’s energy workforce.
“Growth of energy and grid tech companies are pivotal for New York State to achieve its energy goals,” said David Hamilton, senior director of corporate engagement in the Office for Research and Innovation and former center director of CIEES. “CIEES, under the original contract, was leading the transformation of the NYS energy landscape by fostering small company innovation matched with faculty/industry collaboration. With surging demand driven by electric vehicles, AI, data centers, and electrification initiatives, this newly awarded center, led by Abdelrahim Brown, will play a critical role in addressing the need for reliable and sustainable energy systems.”
“GrIDD’s redesignation as a Center for Advanced Technology is a vote of confidence in the collaborative work our team and partners have been doing to strengthen New York’s grid,” said Center Director of GrIDD, Abdelrahim Brown. “This sustained support will allow us to deepen industry partnerships, advance practical solutions for grid resilience and clean-energy integration, and help prepare the next generation of talent. We’re excited to build on this momentum and continue delivering tangible benefits for New Yorkers.”
The CAT program, established in 1983, supports university-based centers that focus on applied research and technology commercialization. CATs are selected based on their research strengths, partnerships with industry, and potential to contribute to job creation and innovation in New York State.
“NYSTAR’s Centers for Advanced Technology are vital to our strategic efforts to grow New York’s economy and the state’s greater innovation ecosystem,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. “By investing in the industries of tomorrow, New Yorkers benefit today through dynamic partnerships that help to create new jobs, generate more revenues, and encourage more companies to establish a footprint in communities all throughout the state.”
These redesignations are part of a larger cohort of 10 centers statewide nine of which were redesignated during this most recent round of designated centers. Through its CAT designations, Stony Brook will continue to work on creating jobs, supporting startup ecosystems, and delivering solutions to current health and energy challenges.
Stony Brook’s Office for Research and Innovation offers startups and young companies more than 100,000 square feet of designated incubator space, or “virtual” participation through nonresident programs, across a technology spectrum from advanced materials and biotechnology to clean tech, software, IT hardware and innovations too new to name. The Research and Innovation program includes entrée to world-class technology and sector-focused programming, specialized facilities and access to the university’s exceptional faculty, student talent and assistance in securing early-stage financing.
NYSTAR advances technology innovation and commercialization in New York State and offers programs that assist companies from start-up through maturity, leveraging the state’s unparalleled investment in world-class technology assets and expertise. It provides about $80 million annually in funding to support over 80 centers that provide direct assistance to New York State companies and manufacturing-led growth and job creation. Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state, with offices in each of the state’s 10 regions.