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$42.4 million philanthropic grant to help fuel regional innovation in Northern Indiana

May 02, 2019
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As a way to help encourage innovation and workforce development in Northern Indiana, a five-year, $42.4 million grant from the Lilly Endowment will support the Labs for Industry Futures and Transformation (LIFT) Network. An effort of the University of Notre Dame and the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, the LIFT Network will launch iNDustry Labs at Notre Dame’s Innovation Park, a burgeoning innovation district on the campus’ southern end. This is the sixth region in Indiana where the Lilly Endowment has made an economic development commitment.

The program will “serve as a front door to the University for industry partners and others in the LIFT Network to more effectively connect industry and community partners with faculty expertise, students, research capabilities and the university’s entrepreneurship and technology innovation hub,” according to a press release.

As part of the grant, five other developments throughout the region will offer training in advanced industries, leveraging partnerships with K-12 schools and regional colleges and universities. The grant will also help launch the LIFT Catalyst Fund, which will award grants to local nonprofits and education providers to fund projects that help spur innovation.

 

Indianaphilanthropy, higher ed