POWERING INNOVATION, RESEARCH AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Florida International University (FIU)
College of Engineering & Computing
Inés R. Triay, Ph.D., Interim Dean, triayin@fiu.edu
Sheila Sal y Rosas, Executive Director, Corporation & Foundation Relations, spsal@fiu.edu
STRATEGIC VISION
FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing is positioning itself as a Top 50 public college, aligning academic programs with national priorities in defense, health, energy, infrastructure and AI. With its growing footprint and record of delivering results, the college is a critical partner in building the innovation economy and securing America’s future.
Our college is the innovation engine of one of the nation’s top research universities, fueling economic growth and solving real-world challenges through cutting-edge research and education. With nearly $66 million in annual research expenditures—up from $36 million five years ago—and more than 200 patents awarded, the college is a national leader in high-impact, interdisciplinary research across critical fields including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, advanced manufacturing, next generation of electronics, resilient infrastructure, and health. Ranked #26 nationally in computer science research expenditures (NSF HERD), the college plays a pivotal role in advancing technologies essential to national security, sustainability and competitiveness.
Our vision is to be a global leader in research, education and mission-aligned innovation. As FIU helps shape a better, safer and more sustainable future, our college is advancing multidisciplinary research in areas critical to our economy, national defense and emerging technologies. We are proud to energize the world through student success, research excellence and partnerships that address the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
One of the most exciting developments at FIU is the opening of a new engineering building in Fall 2025, the Innovation Complex. This 121,000-square-foot, $75 million state-of-the-art facility will house cutting-edge makerspace labs, active learning classrooms, and advanced research laboratories. Our vision for the Innovation Complex is bold and forward-looking: to brand it as the destination for Miami Tech talent and innovation. We aim to drive Miami’s technology innovation and economic growth through thematic Solution Centers which focus on multidisciplinary research and training in AI, cybersecurity, robotics, automation, health and materials. These Centers, such as the Center for Innovation in Cardiovascular Health and the Center for Integrated Security, Privacy and Trustworthy AI, will be housed in this transformative facility designed to better prepare students for high-demand careers in AI, cybersecurity, nanotechnology, drug delivery, and environmental resilience, among others.
AT A GLANCE
• +9,100 students enrolled (7,943 undergraduate, 1,165 graduate)
• #1 in the U.S. for bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students
• $66M in annual research expenditures; $82M in research awards (FY2024)
• +2,100 degrees awarded in engineering and computing
RESEARCH EXCELLENCE & IMPACT
I. Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence
• $2.3M DoD-funded AI-CRAFT program advancing secure AI
• $2M U.S. Dept of Energy project enhancing power grid cybersecurity
II. Infrastructure Resilience
• $12.8M NSF wind and storm surge testing facility
• $10M U.S. DOT award for advanced bridge technologies
• $5M U.S. DOE grant advancing modular nuclear reactor safety
III. Health & Biomedical Innovation
• Multiple NIH R01-funded projects on heart disease, protein detection, and regenerative medicine
• NSF CELL-MET center developing miniature human hearts for cardiac treatment research
IV. Advanced Manufacturing & Materials
• $22.9M DoD-funded work in additive manufacturing for next-gen defense systems
• $3.8M NSF grant developing transformative 2D materials for quantum science
V. Next-Gen Electronics & Energy
• $15M+ in U.S. Army funding for foldable antennas and mobile comms
• $10M DoD Center of Excellence for advanced renewable energy systems
• FIU is pioneering lithium-air battery innovations and AI-based energy microgrids with industry partners
INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
• +200 patents awarded in the last 5 years
• 14 startups launched to commercialize licensed technologies developed within our college since 2017
• 20 NSF CAREER Awardees
NEW FACILITIES & EXPANSION – FIU’s Innovation Center
• $75M, 121,000 sq. ft. Innovation Complex opening on main campus with makerspaces, research labs, and cutting-edge technology
• Projected impact: +350 engineers/year, +$30M in annual research, +27 new patent applications
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
• Top 15 in Online master’s in information technology among public institutions (U.S. News)
• Top 35 in Online master’s in engineering among public institutions (U.S. News)
• Top 30 in Computer Science research expenditures among U.S. public institutions (NSF HERD)
• #3 in U.S. for bachelor’s degrees awarded in electrical engineering (ASEE)
• #5 in U.S. for bachelor’s degrees awarded in computer science (ASEE)
• #13 in the U.S. for total undergraduate engineering enrollment (ASEE)