WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $2,028,724 from the U.S. Department of Education for three West Virginia higher education centers. This funding, which was secured through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests made by Senator Capito for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, will be used to support cybersecurity research and education at Marshall University, a worker upskilling program at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, and an open education resources project at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

In total, Senator Capito secured $250,950,000 in direct spending measures for initiatives and projects across West Virginia through the FY 2023 appropriations omnibus package.

“I’m pleased to have secured this funding that helps our West Virginia higher education institutions expand their programs, especially as they prepare students for in-demand industries like the STEM fields. Especially after my recent visit to West Virginia University at Parkersburg, I’m looking forward to seeing how all these funds and programs will help students flourish and set them up for a career of success,” Senator Capito said.

Individual awards listed below:

  • $1,000,000 for Marshall University Research Corporation (Huntington, W.Va.): This funding supports research and education in cybersecurity, including the purchase of IT equipment and software.
  • $595,724 for West Virginia University at Parkersburg (Parkersburg, W.Va.): This funding helps to create a consortium of community and technical colleges to replicate a specialized training model of upskilling incumbent workers.
  • $433,000 for West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission: This funding, secured solely by Senator Capito, supports an open education resources project, including faculty stipends.

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