Universities Unite for Innovation
FGCU and UMass Lowell Join Forces
Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell signed a five-year agreement to pursue joint educational and research opportunities benefiting students, faculty and stakeholders at both institutions.
The partnership outlines cooperative goals including faculty and student exchanges, dual degree programs, summer undergraduate experiences, paid internships, team-taught courses and joint grant proposals and research.
Key initiatives include research focused on water, energy and sustainability; exploring artificial intelligence and advanced technology through FGCU’s Dendritic Institute; and advancing clinical care, support services and workforce transitions for veterans.
FGCU’s Water School and U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering will collaborate with UMass Lowell’s Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy to develop sustainable materials and chemicals that don’t harm water resources. The universities will also work with Home Base, a national nonprofit providing support services for veterans.
Brian Rist, founder of Storm Smart and a major supporter of both universities, helped facilitate the partnership. His foundation has invested in FGCU’s entrepreneurship programs and building projects.
Together, FGCU and UMass Lowell aim to strengthen capabilities, drive innovation and create opportunities that benefit students, veterans and communities in Southwest Florida and Massachusetts.