DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Embry-Riddle University is receiving a $3.9 million grant to help build the workforce of the future.

That money is coming from the National Science Foundation and will be aimed at recruiting more students for their cybersecurity programs. 

Representative Michael Waltz, FL 6th district, said he worked with the foundation to broaden the language in the legislation to include aerospace, artificial intelligence and quantum computing so Embry-Riddle could compete for this grant. Waltz believes that given the activity on the Space Coast, it is important that Florida has a skilled workforce to meet the public and private demand.

“Unfortunately, we are not producing enough STEM-focused students to fill the workforce of the future, and in fact, it is estimated we will be millions of jobs short over the next decade. So, having this kind of grant, fostering this type of computer science, cyber, artificial intelligence focused study, I think is critical not just for our economy, but for our national security,” said Waltz.

Waltz shared that Embry-Riddle has 100 students in undergraduate and graduate programs in aviation and aerospace cybersecurity already.