Federal investment secured by Congressman André Carson will support tech-enabled learning environments that advance workforce preparation in STEM fields
Butler University has received $1 million in federal funding to expand laboratory equipment and technology supporting the University’s new Engineering program and Business Data Analytics program at Founder’s College.
The $1 million investment will help Butler establish technology-enabled learning environments where students can gain hands-on experience with the tools and technologies increasingly used in engineering, data analytics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and other high-demand fields.
The funding was secured by Congressman André Carson (IN-07) through Community Project Funding and is part of $13.08 million secured for projects across Indiana’s 7th Congressional District. Congressman Carson requested the projects under guidelines established by the House Appropriations Committee, which limits eligible project categories and determines which projects receive funding.
“We are grateful to Congressman Carson for recognizing the important role higher education can play in developing the workforce Indianapolis and Indiana will need in the years ahead,” Butler University President James M. Danko said. “This investment will give our students opportunities to learn with the technologies they will encounter in their careers while strengthening Butler’s ability to prepare graduates who can contribute immediately in rapidly evolving industries.”
“Indianapolis is a destination for millions of visitors, students, and young professionals. Butler is the perfect place to start a long, meaningful career in a vital industry,” Rep. Carson said. “I’m proud to have secured this investment with an invaluable partner like Butler, which continues to be a world-renowned institution.”
The funding will support two areas of Butler’s expanding academic portfolio.
At Founder’s College (a two-year college launched at Butler in 2025), Butler will develop a laboratory supporting the Business Data Analytics associate degree program. The two-year program combines business, data science, and computer science coursework and provides students with opportunities to earn industry-relevant credentials while preparing for careers or continued study toward a bachelor’s degree.
The funding will also support instructional laboratory spaces and advanced equipment for Butler’s new undergraduate Engineering program. Launched in 2026, the program offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, with an emphasis on experiential learning, digital technology, and connections to industry.
Equipment supported through the grant will include advanced computing systems, engineering instrumentation, and data analytics workstations. These resources will allow students to work directly with modern technologies and apply classroom concepts to real-world problems.
The investment comes as Butler continues to expand academic programs aligned with workforce needs in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana. Butler’s Engineering program builds on more than 25 years of engineering education at the University through its former Engineering Dual Degree Program and is designed to prepare students for careers across industries including life sciences, manufacturing, technology, aerospace, and healthcare.
Founder’s College similarly connects education directly to career preparation. The College offers career-focused, two-year associate degree programs for Central Indiana students with financial need, with paid internships, career support, industry-aligned credentials, and pathways to four-year degrees among its core components.
Together, the new laboratory resources will expand access to hands-on, industry-aligned learning while strengthening Butler’s capacity to prepare graduates in fields critical to the region’s economic and technological future. The investment also advances the Transformational Learning Experiences pillar of Butler’s Boldly Butler strategy by creating highly relevant, engaging, and personalized learning experiences that prepare students for professional success and lives of meaning.