The IDC Foundation has awarded a $1,000,000 grant to Pratt Institute in support of the Research Yard of Pratt Institute, City Tech, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Now under construction in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the research facility will be a 40,000-square-foot space that includes fabrication labs and designated research areas focusing on climate innovation, robotics, community development, design incubation, and more. The IDC Foundation funding will support the pursuit of research from students, faculty, and other collaborators through a new IDC Research Accelerator Hub, IDC Research Accelerator Mentoring Program, and IDC Accelerator Research Faculty.
“We are extremely grateful for the IDC Foundation’s support through these three initiatives, which will help expand opportunities for Pratt Institute’s research capacity, scope, and impact at and beyond the new Research Yard of Pratt Institute, City Tech, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard,” said Pratt Institute President Frances Bronet. “From vital infrastructure to mentoring experiences, from incubation to tech transfer, they will further enhance the Research Yard as a dynamic hub where creative researchers, industry professionals, and the local community can work together on today’s important challenges.”
Rendering of the Research Yard of Pratt Institute, City Tech, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Courtesy of Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects LLP
The IDC Foundation supports educational institutions in the greater New York City area through grants that promote research and training for students who are engaged in fields related to architectural design, engineering, and construction. This includes funding for scholarships and fellowships that advance academic and professional opportunities. The IDC Foundation has been a supporter of Pratt since 2018, with ongoing and past funding including scholarships and travel and research initiatives in the School of Architecture and the IDC Foundation Design Lab Initiative led by architecture faculty with student involvement.
“The IDC Foundation is pleased to award a grant of $1 million to Pratt Institute in support of its expansion and involvement in the Research Yard of Pratt Institute, City Tech, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard initiative,” said Raymond R. Savino, president of the IDC Foundation. “The Foundation’s support reflects our enthusiasm for this initiative’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and career paths and extends our ongoing partnership with Pratt Institute.”
The IDC Research Accelerator Hub will be a space for expanding partnerships and connections as part of a platform to investigate new solutions for pressing challenges. The funding supports its infrastructure, materials, and equipment. Alongside, the IDC Research Accelerator Mentoring Program will advance initiatives and research projects through seed funding, bringing together leading experts and emerging researchers to learn from each other. The IDC Accelerator Research Faculty will be a project-based position concentrated on accelerator projects and facilitating mentorship.
These programs will bolster the opportunities at the Research Yard of Pratt Institute, City Tech, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, as well as Pratt’s ongoing relationship with the historic shipyard that is now a dynamic hub for technology, design, manufacturing, and interdisciplinary innovation in New York.
The IDC Foundation-funded projects are planned to start in fall 2022, with Phase 1 (the first 20,000 square feet) of the Research Yard expected to be completed in fall 2022. Phase 2 (the second 20,000 square feet) is expected to be completed in summer 2023.