August 13, 2024

Manchin Announces $1 Million For Robotics Engineering Major At West Virginia University

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $1,000,000 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to support the creation of a new bachelor’s degree program in Robotics Engineering at West Virginia University (WVU), contribute to robotics research, and increase support for robotics-related K-12 recruitment and outreach. This federal award is a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests Senator Manchin secured on behalf of West Virginia through the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill.

“NASA continues to be an important partner for the Mountain State through their generous investments in groundbreaking programs and research opportunities,” said Senator Manchin. “I’m proud to have secured $1 million to support creating a Robotics Engineering major at my alma mater, further our current robotics research, and increase support for robotics in our elementary and secondary schools. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources that bolster academic research and support our West Virginia universities.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee allows members of Congress to submit CDS requests, which provides an opportunity for state and local governments, non-profits, and other public entities to receive targeted funding for projects that bolster their communities and directly support West Virginians. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Manchin works to ensure taxpayer dollars are allocated to priorities that benefit all West Virginians, boost economic growth and support the needs of communities across the Mountain State while remaining fiscally responsible.