Lilly Endowment announced Wednesday a $40 million grant to support five projects in the Purdue University Colleges of Engineering and Technology and Purdue Libraries.
"It's now our duty to turn it into a significant event in Indiana history by delivering even more world-class engineers, technologists and leaders of all kinds, along with the discoveries, innovations and new jobs that great research produces," Purdue President Mitch Daniels said.
The grant is the largest cash donation in Purdue history.
"These projects hold great promise to be real game-changers," said Sara B. Cobb, vice president of education for Lilly Endowment. "With its considerable strengths in engineering and technology, Purdue is poised for significant impact in research, education and economic development."
The endowment will provide:
•$13 million for the Innovation Design Center, which will provide engineering and technology students with open-bay space, collaborative areas and computer-aided design studios where they can develop, build and test extracurricular and course-based design projects 24 hours a day, seven days a week.