FT. WALTON BEACH, Fla., July 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Governor Rick Scott announced that $1.8 million was awarded through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to support seven defense projects across 13 counties. Doolittle Institute of Okaloosa Count was awarded one of the grants to establish a technology innovation center in support of Eglin Air Force Base.
Dr. Steve Butler, Executive Director, of the Institute, said, "The Technology Transfer Initiative is an important part of Doolittle Institute's partnership intermediary agreement to support the Air Force Research Lab mission at Eglin Air Force Base to get solutions to the war fighter faster. The State's funding for this grant will bolsters DI's efforts, create economic development and demonstrate the State of Florida's commitment to Air Force research and technology programs."
The Doolittle Team will utilize this grant to identify Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) recipients who can help accelerate the commercialization of new products and bring them to market, based on DoD technologies.
A total collaborative effort has been designed for Doolittle to involve local and regional colleges and universities, technology-based businesses, venture capital firms, major aerospace companies and federal laboratories involved in the technology acceleration initiative.
With the state of Florida supporting this effort through the FDSTF Grant, and the enthusiasm that has been generated by the Institute and its working partners, the linkage between the military technologies and the commercial applications will grow and create a stronger innovative environment.
"Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin also sees benefit in tech transfer to industry as the incubation of new industry capabilities which are needed to support future development and acquisition programs for the entire Department of Defense. It is with these mutually synergized benefits that I fully support the Doolittle Institute's efforts," said David E. Lambert, Chief Scientist, Munitions Directorate.
Doolittle Institute was incorporated in the State of Florida as a non-profit corporation. The Institute's charter is to create an innovative environment for bringing together the best minds of Industry, Academia, and Government to collaborate and find solutions to the toughest science and technology challenges while championing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education (STEM) for all levels of society.
The Florida Defense Support Task Force was created in 2011 with the mission to make recommendations to preserve and protect military installations, support the state's position in research and development related to military missions and contracting, and improve the state's military-friendly environment for service members, military families, military retirees and businesses that bring military and base-related jobs to the state. This grant program is administered by Enterprise Florida, Inc. and are awarded annually, on a project priority basis, to organizations and communities working to protect, preserve and enhance Florida's military installations and missions.
Contact Dr. Steve Butler
850-226-4383
[email protected]
www.doolittleinstitute.org
SOURCE Doolittle Institute
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