Award Abstract # 2306109
NSF Engines Development Award: Advancing cyber security technologies in the Central Savannah River Area (GA, SC)

NSF Org: ITE
Innovation and Technology Ecosystems
Recipient: AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC
Initial Amendment Date: May 9, 2023
Latest Amendment Date: January 12, 2024
Award Number: 2306109
Award Instrument: Cooperative Agreement
Program Manager: Dmitri Perkins
dperkins@nsf.gov
 (703)292-7463
ITE
 Innovation and Technology Ecosystems
TIP
 Dir for Tech, Innovation, & Partnerships
Start Date: May 15, 2023
End Date: April 30, 2025 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $999,999.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $999,999.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2023 = $999,999.00
History of Investigator:
  • Alexander Schwarzmann (Principal Investigator)
    aas.csail@gmail.com
  • Gagan Agrawal (Former Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY 1120 15TH STR
AUGUSTA
GA  US  30912-0001
(706)721-2592
Sponsor Congressional District: 12
Primary Place of Performance: Augusta University Research Institute, Inc.
1120 15th Street
Augusta
GA  US  30912-0004
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
12
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): N4WWJC8T2593
Parent UEI: N4WWJC8T2593
NSF Program(s): NSF Engines - Type 1
Primary Program Source: 01AC2324DB R&RA DRSA DEFC AAB
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s): 200Y
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.084

ABSTRACT

This Regional Innovation Engines Development Award is focused on the area along the Savannah River, spanning several counties in Georgia and South Carolina with the center in the greater Augusta region. The technical themes of the effort are the related areas of cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, edge computing, and the Internet of Things. The confirmed partners include Augusta University (lead institution), Georgia Cyber Center (GCC), University of Georgia, Clark Atlanta University (CAU), Augusta Technical College, Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER), Savannah River National Laboratory, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Trideum Corporation, Bigbear.AI, and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The region is well positioned for a future NSF Engine in this technical area because of aligned interests of major government entities, the recent consolidation of ARCYBER in Augusta, academic partners that support vital programs in cybersecurity and related areas, and a growing number of private companies. The region of service currently has a relatively low socio-economic status at the current time, and this award can have a transformative impact on the area.

Cybercrime costs and the value of security services are increasing rapidly, so cybersecurity is critical for the Nation. Moreover, as computing has become ubiquitous in various devices around us, there is an ever-growing attack surface to defend, implying opportunities for significant economic activity. The components of this award include: 1) Use-Inspired Research - the academic partners have built relationships with government and private agencies, including aligning research with needs of ARCYBER and SRNL. The relationships will be expanded to include other government and private partners through events and interactions and by supporting paid internships for students at local small businesses. 2) Workforce Development - the focus will be on expanding enrollments in existing programs at the universities and two-year colleges in the area, sharing materials across different academic partners, and entrepreneurship training. 3) Transition to Practice: Strengths of partners (IEDC, CAU, and GCC) will be used to help transition research to practice and foster new businesses, especially for minorities and veterans. An economic scan conducted by IEDC will also help guide future actions. The proposed integration among the partners, together with growing workforce development and synergistic activities to support businesses, will prepare the team for a full NSF Engine in two years.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

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