Princeton University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science has announced the allocation of more than $3 million in innovation grants to support 21 research projects. These funds are directed towards advancing technology, health, and environmental issues through cutting-edge research.
The university’s innovation grants are funded by its own resources, including Princeton’s endowment and other contributions. The Addy Fund for Excellence in Engineering was established by Lydia B. Addy and William M. Addy, a 1982 Princeton alumnus. In 2025, this fund supported various projects including those led by Reza Moini on engineering compliance in brittle concrete and Alejandro Rodriguez on optical information processing.
Another funding source is the J. Insley Blair Pyne Fund, which supports interdisciplinary research between engineering and neuroscience. This fund backed projects such as Amir Ali Ahmadi’s AI-assisted algebraic proof systems and Jonathan Cohen’s quantum approach to perception modeling.
The Helen Shipley Hunt Fund focuses on applied engineering research. It financed projects like Christine Allen-Blanchette’s sustainable aviation fuel design framework and Mark Brynildsen’s work on treatments for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Project X funding encourages exploratory research emphasizing creativity and risk-taking, supporting efforts like Joshua Atkinson’s biosensor-enhanced digital twins for water quality management.
Additional funds from entities like DeCenter have enabled further studies into blockchain technology applications, while anonymous donors have contributed to projects addressing ammonia oxidation decomposition.
Overall, these diverse initiatives reflect Princeton Engineering’s commitment to fostering innovative solutions to complex global challenges.
