Congress approves $1.75M for advanced product manufacturing initiative at Case Western Reserve University’s Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building
Funding committed within fiscal 2026 federal spending package
The federal spending package U.S. Congress has approved for fiscal 2026 includes $1.75 million for Case Western Reserve University’s Advanced Product Manufacturing Technologies Initiative—a wide-ranging effort to propel industrial innovation and talent nationally.
More specifically, the federal funding commitment will be used to create a research infrastructure that advances the security, reliability and efficiency of manufacturing critical chemical products—coatings, plastic packaging and films, custom 3D-printed components, membranes for energy and defense applications—at the university’s new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB).
These products are vital to everyday life and national competitiveness, supporting sectors ranging from medical supplies and consumer goods to transportation and defense.
The Advanced Product Manufacturing Technologies Initiative will integrate modern, data-driven tools for measurement, simulation and process control to provide researchers and manufacturers real-time data analytics of product function.
This hands-on, data-driven approach is essential for maintaining U.S. manufacturing leadership and ensuring that innovation delivers tangible economic benefits, those driving the initiative said.
“We are tremendously grateful to Senator Husted and his advocacy for this important initiative at Case Western Reserve University,” said Case Western Reserve President Eric W. Kaler. “The impact of this federal funding will extend well beyond our research labs, improving manufacturing processes and products that touch millions of Americans.”
“Case Western Reserve University’s Advanced Product Manufacturing Technologies Initiative will drive cutting-edge research in manufacturing and emerging technologies that support critical industries like defense, transportation, and medical supplies,” said U.S. Sen. Jon Husted. “I’m proud to have secured $1.75 million for the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, which will train Ohio’s next generation of skilled workers and strengthen our state’s role as a national leader in high-tech manufacturing and innovation.”
The $300 million, nearly 200,000-square-foot ISEB, scheduled to open this fall, will provide laboratory and research hub space that combines and capitalizes on the various disciplines and expertise of faculty, staff, postdocs and students—including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electrochemistry, sustainable materials, energy storage and therapeutics.
More broadly, the ISEB represents an initiative to strengthen America’s leadership in chemical product manufacturing by combining Ohio’s extensive engineering expertise with cutting-edge technology.
The ISEB—and this initiative in particular—will provide a major stimulus for the Greater Cleveland economy, accelerate innovation, train the next generation of skilled workers and anchor high-tech production capabilities nationally.
