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Only 3 U.S. institutions are land grant, host sun grant, lead space grant, and sea grant.
In 1867, the Pennsylvania legislature designated the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania, precursor to Penn State, as the sole beneficiary of the Morrill Act of 1862. An early college catalog cites as a goal “to develop to the fullest extent possible those departments of all science which have a practical or theoretical bearing upon agricultural and agricultural interest.” More than 150 years later, Penn State’s application of AI to important practical problems preserves and expands this original philosophy. In particular, Penn State’s presence throughout Pennsylvania is an integral component of the land-grant mission, and the AI Hub honors this mission by explicitly recognizing the contributions of each of our campuses.
Penn State hosts the northeast regional center of the Sun Grant Initiative, established by federal law in 2003. The Sun Grant Program supports research related to sustainable bioenergy, agriculture, and the environment as well as outreach activities related to these areas.
Penn State is the lead institution of the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium. The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program was established by Congress in 1988 to support research and outreach in aeronautics, outer space, and related fields.
Penn State is a sea grant institution due to its location in the Great Lakes region. The Sea Grant Program was instituted in 1966 via the National Sea Grant College Program Act to support marine advisory programs. Via the Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Penn State promotes the sustainability of coastal and watershed resources through research, education, and outreach.
Penn State is one of only three universities to hold the distinction of being a LAND, SPACE, SUN and SEA grant institution.
LAND GRANT
SPACE GRANT
SUN GRANT
SEA GRANT
