The DOE’s University Coal Research Program, in its 27th year, selected 23 universities in 18 states to receive funding awards to continue work investigating the most efficient, environmentally responsible ways to generate electricity, fuels, and other products.

Projects were chosen in three areas, including the Core Program, Innovative Concepts Phase I and Innovative Concepts Phase II.

Receiving funding under the Core Program was The University of Dayton, The University of Utah, Texas A&M (in two subcategories), The University of Tennessee, Tennessee Technological University, Pennsylvania State University, Mississippi State University, The University of Houston, Case Western Reserve, Princeton University (in two subcategories), Georgia Tech and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Under the Innovative Concepts Phase I Program, eight schools were awarded, including The University of Maryland, The University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Auburn University, University of Connecticut, The University of Tulsa and Clarkson University (in two subcategories).

Innovative Concepts Phase II awardees were previously selected for Phase I funding; the DOE awards projects in this category when the research for Phase I showed potential through further study. Southern Illinois University, The University of Cincinnati and The University of Southern California were this year’s winners in the section.

The University Coal Research Program, established in 1979, is the DOE’s longest-running grant program for student/teacher research.