The University of New Haven has been awarded a $5 million grant from the State of Connecticut’s Community Investment Fund that will support the development of The Elevation Center at the University of New Haven.
The $5 million grant to the University is the fourth largest among nearly $63 million awarded in the most recent round of funding allocations and the largest given to a college or university in Connecticut. Allocation of the grants was approved by Connecticut Ned Lamont and the state’s Bond Commission.
“We are grateful for the State of Connecticut’s support and its investment in the vision we have for The Elevation Center,” said Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., president of the University of New Haven. “This will be a game changer for our students as well as the companies across the state and the region who are collaborating with us on what will be a groundbreaking and best-in-nation center. Our mandate is to deliver an unprecedented return on investment for our graduates and their families. The Center will create transformative opportunities for our students to prepare for the careers of the future, working with leading companies that are driving Connecticut’s economy.”
In addition to the $5 million grant, the University has raised more than $10 million in private funding that will support the complete renovation and the “white boxing” of a 133,000-square-foot commercial space located directly adjacent to campus that will be the home of The Elevation Center.
As part of the renovation, the University will develop collaborative spaces that incorporate technology, data, and human capital to develop solutions to evolving market demands, while simultaneously enhancing students’ career readiness by creating opportunities to work alongside industry professionals.
“The University of New Haven is committed to being at the forefront of instilling in our students the skills, experiences, and confidence that ensure they are better-than-ready graduates,” said Nancy Savage, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “Through The Elevation Center, we will connect students, faculty, and employers, empowering them to address real-world challenges and build the competencies that are needed to excel in the elite workforce of the future.”
Over the last several months, the University has signed seven master research agreements with Connecticut companies, including Bausch+Stroebel, Eastern Metal Works, C3 Medical Device Consulting, Capewell Aerial Systems, The Lighting Quotient, i5 Services, and Hanwha Aerospace, with five more master research agreements under negotiation.
Combined, the signed master research agreements have generated nearly $100,000 in revenue. The University anticipates generating $400,000 in revenue from MRAs in 2026 and in excess of $1 million in 2027.