Butterfield Cheers North Carolina Central University’s Receipt of a $5 Million Grant from the National Science Foundation


WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G.K. Butterfield (NC-01) today cheered North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, North Carolina for receiving a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue development of its Computational Center for Fundamental and Applied Science and Education, known as NSF-CREST.  The grant will help to improve research opportunities for students and solidify NCCU as one of the world’s preeminent research universities.

“Never has education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics been as important as it is now in today’s competitive global economy,” Butterfield said.  “This grant is critical to the growth of North Carolina Central University and the state of North Carolina.  I congratulate NCCU on this tremendous achievement and applaud the outstanding research being conducted there.”  

This is the second grant NCCU has received from the NSF to construct the Computational Center for Fundamental and Applied Science and Education.  In 2008, NCCU was able to begin planning and construction of the center using $5.7 million of initial NSF funding.  Since its inception the center has helped NCCU make significant strides in strengthening and developing opportunities for students and faculty in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.  This NSF grant recognizes the success of the center and will enable NCCU to increase research infrastructure to support additional STEM training and educational opportunities for students.  NCCU will receive $1 million per year for five years to continue to build NSF-CREST.         

Butterfield has been a leader in supporting funding for the NSF and authored a letter in support of the agency to the House Committee on Appropriations in 2012.  In FY’12, the 17 campuses of the University of North Carolina received more than $111 million in funding from the NSF.