Project Grant 60NANB23D127

PURPOSE/SCOPE: THE CYBER FUSION CENTER'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO SERVE AS A SANDBOX FOR FUSION OF INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION IN THESE MULTIPLE CYBERSECURITY-ALLIED AREAS AND ENGAGE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. IT WILL SERVE AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN NORWICH FACULTY AND STUDENTS IN CENTRAL VERMONT AND LOCAL AND NATIONAL PARTNERS TO EXPLORE MULTIDISCIPLINARY SOLUTIONS TO INFORMATION ADVANTAGE PROBLEM SETS FROM SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS TO PROTECTING OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY. THIS NEW BUILDING, LOCATED ON NORWICH CAMPUS AT THE HOLLIS HOUSE SITE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 20,000 SQUARE FEET. IT WILL BE DESIGNED TO INCLUDE A CYBER FUSION WELCOME CENTER WITH A CHECK-IN AREA, COAT ROOM, ONE OR MORE LARGE OPEN MEETING SPACES THAT CAN HOLD 100 PEOPLE WITH PROJECTION, AUDIO, AND VIDEOCONFERENCING CAPABILITIES, AN ADJACENT FOOD SERVICE AREA WITH A KITCHEN, SINK AND SET UP FOR CATERING AND A BAR FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM-SIZED EVENTS.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A MAKER SPACE FOR COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, EXCHANGE OF IDEAS THROUGH MULTIDISCIPLINARY FUSION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION AND EXPERIENTIAL ENGAGEMENT, AND SERVING AS A HUB FOR LOCAL, STATEWIDE, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL CONVENING FOR DIALOGUE AND DISCOVERY THROUGH MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND SYMPOSIA. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE CYBER FUSION CENTER WILL DO MUCH FOR VERMONT'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FURTHER ENHANCE NORWICH UNIVERSITY'S AND VERMONT'S POSITION AS A NATIONAL PLAYER IN THE CYBER SPACE, AS WE LOOK TO HOST THE NATIONAL CYBER FUSION CENTER. FURTHERMORE, THE CARBON-NEUTRAL SETTING OF THE FACILITY WILL REDUCE ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES:COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING AND GROWING OUR COMMUNITY, THIS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY WILL FOCUS ON NOT ONLY CYBER BUT EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, ENGAGING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS, AND BUILDING NORTHFIELD'S INNOVATION CULTURE. THE FLEXIBLE SPACE WILL PROVIDE AN INTERACTIVE LOCATION FOR CYBER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, NATIONAL SPEAKERS, RESEARCH FELLOWS, AND STUDENT INTERNS, ELEVATING THE NORWICH BRAND AND ITS CYBER PROGRAMS. STUDENTS WILL ENGAGE IN EXPERIENTIAL, REAL-WORLD HIGH-IMPACT PRACTICES THAT WILL MAKE THEM CAREER READY IN A MUCH-NEEDED ARENA. THE MAKER SPACE WILL ALLOW FOR NEW INNOVATIONS, FURTHERING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION AS NEW TECHNOLOGIES BECOME COMMERCIALIZED AND KEY PARTNERSHIPS ARE FORMED.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONEUSEFUL LIFE: 20 YEARS