The University of West Florida is getting a major boost for its research programs after the Triumph Gulf Coast board approved a $32.5 million grant to expand cybersecurity and computational research in Northwest Florida.

• The funding will grow UWF’s Institute for Analytics and Industry Advancement and Center for Cybersecurity, while creating an entirely new Center for Computational Intelligence. The grant is subject to negotiating a term sheet and legal contract.

“This grant marks a pivotal step forward for UWF and our region,” said UWF Provost Dr. Jaromy Kuhl. “By expanding our capacity in cybersecurity and computational intelligence research, we are positioning Northwest Florida as a national leader in innovation. The work being done here will not only advance discovery and technology but will also strengthen our economy. We are grateful for the support from Triumph in our efforts to elevate our region to new heights.”

UWF already trains students in technical skills for data science, cybersecurity and engineering through its Institute for Analytics and Industry Advancement. The institute works in areas like predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation — moving beyond traditional college classes to partner with businesses across key industries.

• It’s also home to the UWF Predictive Analytics and Modeling Lab, which develops user-friendly tools for data-driven decisions.

The grant will fund the creation of the Center for Computational Intelligence within the institute. The new center will serve as a hub for advanced computational research, bringing together faculty, researchers, students and industry partners to develop next-generation technologies.

The new Center for Computational Intelligence will tackle complex research problems in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, computational chemistry and bioinformatics. By bringing together faculty, researchers, students and industry partners, the center aims to speed up innovations that could impact healthcare, energy, environmental monitoring, personalized education and defense.

The money will also help UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity build on its reputation as a national leader in cybersecurity research and education. The center plans to weave AI into its programs and work more closely with defense contractors, private companies and regional partners on innovative solutions for Northwest Florida.

Part of the grant money will go toward expanding the new sciences and engineering building to house the cybersecurity and computational intelligence centers, plus renovating the Laboratory Sciences Annex for advanced research labs. The entire project carries a price tag of more than $130 million over 10 years.

More information about the UWF Institute for Analytics and Industry Advancement and the Center for Computational Intelligence is available at uwf.edu/iaia. Information on the UWF Center for Cybersecurity is available at uwf.edu/cyber.