Benedict will receive $1. 3 million of a $4 million grant to participate in The Interconnected CyberManfacturing project which is designed to open pathways for minority workforce development in the area of energy and research.

The collaboration will allow Benedict students to benefit from an extensive year-round research engagement with graduate and research institutions.
 
According to Dr. Goodwin E. Mbamalu, Vice President for Research and Distinguished Professor of Bio-Chem in Environmental Health and Science (pictured above left), Benedict scholars will also be able to leverage these unique collaborations for graduate education in the STEM field at Florida A&M University and other major research institutions. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in summer research at national level laboratories which is a critical part of the workforce development in STEM for minority students.
 
The grant will also enhance Benedict’s STEM programs- engineering, computer sciences,  and research experiences in contemporary issues in manufacturing.  These are areas of importance to the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Interconnected CyberManufacturing- Establishing Minority Pathways: Opportunities for Workforce- Development in Energy Research and Education program.