By Morgan State University
BALTIMORE — The School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) at Morgan State University—Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University—has been awarded more than $1.4 million in new grant funding to advance clean energy planning, innovation, and curriculum development across campus. The funding includes $1,315,000 from the Maryland Energy Administration’s Higher Education Clean Energy Grant Program, $100,000 through the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program—a collaborative academic-industrial initiative—and a $30,000 grant from the 2025 Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education. These investments will support a range of initiatives focused on green energy strategies, research collaborations, and infrastructure upgrades, positioning Morgan as a leader in campus development rooted in sustainability. SA+P will lead this interdisciplinary effort in partnership with university stakeholders and external collaborators, implementing transformative energy solutions aligned with state and federal sustainability goals.
The Higher Education Clean Energy Grant Pilot Program was established to equip Maryland’s colleges and universities with a comprehensive framework for advancing sustainability. The program supports the adoption of on-site renewable energy technologies, the integration of strategic energy planning into both campus operations and academic curricula, and the promotion of workforce development in the clean energy sector. A total of 11 colleges and universities across Maryland have been selected to receive grant funding through this special initiative. Collectively, the supported projects are expected to reduce carbon emissions equivalent to eliminating the annual pollution generated by burning 15 rail cars of coal—significantly advancing the state’s clean energy and climate goals. The investment in Morgan will facilitate the installation of rooftop solar energy systems, the development of a Campus Clean Energy Master Plan, and the creation of five student internships focused on hands-on experience in renewable energy and sustainability planning.
The Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program fosters innovation-driven economic growth by connecting Maryland companies with university-based research expertise to develop new products and create jobs. Since 1987, MIPS has facilitated public-private collaborations between Maryland’s businesses and the state’s public universities, including Morgan, leveraging academic talent and resources to solve real-world problems and stimulate Maryland’s innovation economy. Funded jointly by participating companies and the program, MIPS is nationally recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for excellence in technology transfer, job creation, and high-tech product development in Maryland.
“Partnerships like these demonstrate how Maryland’s public universities and local industries can work together to accelerate innovation,” said Asojo Abimbola, Ph.D., dean and professor of the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan. “By aligning research expertise with market needs, we’re helping companies bring new products to life while expanding the state’s clean energy workforce.”
Founded in 1988, the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education is an endowed program dedicated to advancing collegiate-level instruction in lighting design, focusing on cultivating a comprehensive understanding of the role of light in architectural form, function, and experience. Through this grant, SA+P will be able to establish an architectural lighting curriculum to become the only program with an emphasis in architectural lighting design in Baltimore and any School of architecture in Maryland and a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The $30,000 grant will provide a graduate assistantship, course release and travel support for project investigators during the 2025–2026 academic year, enabling them to engage with leading experts, obtain instructional materials, and strengthen partnerships within the lighting industry.
“This initiative is a win for our students, who will gain real-world experience at the intersection of lighting design, sustainability, technology, and innovation,” Dr. Asojo continued. “Through internships and hands-on research, they’re not only learning; they’re actively shaping solutions that will define the next generation of lighting design professionals.”
The School of Architecture and Planning will also use the grant to enhance its digital fabrication lab, computer labs, and materials room by acquiring specialized lighting tools. These resources will facilitate hands-on learning and mock-up lighting exercises, providing students with immersive, practice-based experiences. This initiative is especially significant as it aligns with the School’s commitment to fostering greater diversity within the lighting design profession.
Building on its mission and momentum, the School of Architecture and Planning is leveraging these three transformative grants to establish an integrated, future-focused framework that advances sustainability, innovation, and workforce development. These aligned investments support initiatives that promote campus-wide clean energy planning through solar installations, develop smart building systems and real-time energy solutions, and elevate human-centered design with enhanced lighting strategies. Collectively, they position SA+P as a dynamic hub for innovation in sustainable design, smart technologies, and resilient infrastructure. By embedding experiential learning, internships, and workforce development opportunities into these efforts, the School is empowering students to become leaders in shaping equitable, sustainable urban environments—designing not just for today, but for the resilient cities of tomorrow.
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