Two research centers at Stony Brook University have been redesignated as Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs) by New York State, securing $20 million in funding over the next decade. The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) and the Center for Advanced Technology in Grid Innovation, Development, and Deployment (GrIDD), previously known as the Center for Integrated Electric Energy Systems (CIEES), will each receive $1 million annually for ten years.
Stony Brook is the only institution in New York to receive two CAT designations in this cycle. The recognition comes from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). The funding aims to support innovation, workforce development, and economic growth in key areas such as life sciences and clean energy.
Kevin Gardner, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Stony Brook University, said: “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. 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.”
Clinton Rubin, director of CFB, stated: “The Center for Biotechnology has served as a critical bridge between academic research and commercial success. 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 supports early-stage biomedical technology development and startup growth. It helps move technologies from laboratory research into commercial products while training new leaders in life sciences.
Diane Fabel, chief operating officer for CFB, said: “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. 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.”
The center has contributed early investments leading to products like ReoPro, Cavistat, Oracea and XIAFLEX; supported companies such as Codagenix and Envisagenics; helped establish organizations including NewYorkBio; Long Island High Technology Incubator; and Stony Brook’s own Center for Bioengineering.
GrIDD will focus on clean energy technology advancement and grid modernization efforts across New York State. David Hamilton from Stony Brook’s Office for Research & Innovation commented: “Growth of energy and grid tech companies are pivotal for New York State to achieve its energy goals. 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.”
Abdelrahim Brown added: “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. 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 momentumand continue delivering tangible benefitsforNew Yorkers.”
The CAT program began in 1983 with an aim toward supporting university-based applied research centers focused on moving innovations toward commercialization through partnerships with industry—helping drive job creation statewide.
Empire State Development President Hope Knight said: “NYSTAR’s Centers for Advanced Technology are vital to our strategic efforts to grow New York’s economyandthe state’s greater innovation ecosystem.By investingin industriesoftomorrowNew Yorkers benefit today through dynamic partnershipsthat help create new jobs,generatemore revenues,and encourage more companiesto establisha footprintin communitiesall throughoutthestate.”
Statewide there are now ten designated CATs,nineof whichwere renewedthis cycle.StonyBrook’s designationsare expectedto further job creation,support startup ecosystems,and provide solutionsto healthandenergy challengesfacingthe region.
Stony Brook offers startups access tomore than100000 square feetof incubator spaceas wellas virtual participation programsacross fieldsincluding advanced materialsbiotechnologycleantechsoftwareandIT hardware.Theuniversityprovidesworld-class facilitiesexpertiseandassistancewithearly-stagefinancing.
NYSTAR provides about $80 million each year supporting over 80 centers across New York that offer direct assistance aimed at manufacturing-led growth,jobs,and business expansion.Empire State Development acts asthe state’seconomicdevelopment agencywithofficesacross alltenregionspromotingbusinessgrowthandopportunitythroughoutNewYork.
