MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Tech will receive $5 million in state funding for its emerging ASCEND program after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the 2024-2025 budget. ASCEND will pair state-of-the-art equipment with the university’s renowned faculty to help fuel technological relevance and talent growth primarily supporting Florida’s growing aerospace sector.
Through its AeroSpace Cybersecurity ENgineering Development (ASCEND) program, Florida Tech will accelerate the education and development of engineering students skilled in resiliency engineering who will go on to work in industry and government organizations either as part of university partnerships or in their own careers.
“The success of our driven, hard-working students is my top priority, and when we can help prepare them for careers in fields critical to Florida and our nation, that brings even more significance to their path forward,” said Florida Tech President John Nicklow. “We thank Gov. DeSantis for his support of ASCEND and our legislative champions Rep. Tyler Sirois and Sen. Jim Boyd for their stellar efforts.”
Overall, ASCEND will benefit industry by the infusion of cybersecurity technology, design resiliency and digital engineering into curriculum and applied research.
While ASCEND’s educational and applied research benefits do not exclude other Florida industries, with over 400 aerospace establishments, 20 major military installations and three space ports contributing to Florida’s defense sector – the third-largest performing sector of the economy, according to the Florida Department of Commerce – it is imperative that Florida Tech continue supporting these structural elements of Florida’s industrial and defense base through relevant talent development.
The ability to provide physical and cyber-resilience testing and evaluation during design, development and manufacturing is unique to ASCEND and the foundational methodologies will be embedded across university educational and applied research environments.
