Materials Research Institute seed grants aim to spark interdisciplinary research
| psu.edu
The Materials Research Institute (MRI) offers the MRI Interdisciplinary Seed Grant to Penn State researchers that encourage high-risk, high-impact collaborative projects across multiple disciplines with great potential for societal benefit. The call for proposals is now open for 2026-27, with applications due by 5 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 30.
Putting ideas into action: BUILD Night focuses on combating food insecurity
| psu.edu
In early November, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Engineering partnered to host a BUILD Night at the Penn State Learning Center. Attendees worked in teams to map challenges, brainstorm solutions and build prototypes to combat food insecurity by reducing post-harvest waste.
Industry leaders join Penn State to shape the future of Sustainable Labs Program
| psu.edu
Penn State’s Sustainable Labs Program recently hosted its inaugural Industry Day, bringing together industry leaders, graduate researchers, campus partners and undergraduate sustainability consultants. The day strengthened connections between student learning and industry expertise and shaped a long-term vision for sustainable research spaces through hands-on opportunities that build sustainability knowledge and professional skills.
Center for Plant Excellence announces grant award recipients
| psu.edu
The Center for Plant Excellence, a new initiative supporting Pennsylvania’s plant industries, announced recipients of its 2025-26 grants, awarding $125,000 across seven projects.
$1.74M grant to fund Eastern Fire Network
| psu.edu
As large wildfires become more frequent in the eastern U.S., a new research initiative based at Penn State will develop big-picture goals for future study. Erica Smithwick, director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute at the University, will lead the effort.
LionGlass windows, windshields in development with Vitro Architectural Glass
| psu.edu
LionGlass — a stronger and more sustainable glass invented at Penn State — may soon be developed for windows and windshields, thanks to a new partnership with North America’s largest architectural glass manufacturer Vitro Architectural Glass. The company signed a multi-year research agreement to scale up the new, patent-pending glass technology for use in flat glass applications across architectural and automotive markets.
The mystery of the missing ocean plastic
| by Raymond Najjar
Millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, yet we can find only a fraction of it. New research uncovers where this missing pollution may actually be hiding.
Institute for Computational and Data Sciences funds eight mid-scale seed grants
| psu.edu
The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences' Mid-Scale Seed Grant Program has awarded eight teams of Penn State researchers for projects that will contribute to one or more of the institute's research hubs or affiliated centers.
Professor’s 'Anthropology of Alcohol' course a perennial favorite with students
| psu.edu
Kirk French, assistant professor of anthropology and film production/media studies, is wrapping up another fall teaching "ANTH 140: Anthropology of Alcohol," which for nearly a decade has been one of Penn State’s most popular general-education courses.
Penn State College of Ag Sciences to offer food science short courses
| psu.edu
In 2026, food inspectors and sanitarians, quality assurance managers, food plant managers and food engineers can learn the latest developments in food science with short courses offered by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Penn State students bridge food security, education inspired by World Food Prize
| psu.edu
Five students in Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, for a week-long immersion in global food security at the World Food Prize event.
Penn State student documentary 'Rethinking 322' explores ways to minimize construction impacts
| alleghenyfront.org
The State College Area Connector will replace a section of Route 322 near State College and impact farmland, waterways and homes.