Tester delivers additional 2 million dollar for research and development at Montana Tech

Senator Jon Tester today helped secure an additional $2.3 million for continued research and development at Montana Tech from the Army Research Lab.  

This is the second major investment Tester, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has helped secure for Montana Tech from the Army Research Lab.  In March, Tester announced an initial investment of $1.1 million for military research on the use of strategic minerals and metals for weapon technology.  

“Through research, students and faculty at Montana Tech are continuing to set themselves apart from the rest of the nation,” Tester said.  “Montana Tech has earned the trust and respect of the U.S. Army to perform critical studies that will help keep our troops safe.  These funds will allow Montana Tech to continue their world-class research and help recruit some of our state’s brightest minds to come to school in Butte.”  

Tester secured additional funds for materials research in the last two Defense Department funding bills and advocated for Montana Tech to be chosen by the Army Research Lab to perform materials research and development, given Butte’s mining history and Montana Tech’s focus on materials science.  

“These funds are critical to support our quality faculty and students, especially our growing Materials Science Ph.D. program,” said Montana Tech Chancellor Don Blackketter. “Montana Tech is very appreciative of the Army Lab’s investment, and the Senator’s trust and support.”  

“Since starting this research, we have met several materials research experts at the Army Research Lab in Aberdeen, and this growing collaboration is proving valuable both to us and the Army,” said Bev Hartline, vice chancellor of research and graduate studies at Montana Tech.   

The funding from the Army Research Lab supports Montana Tech's efforts to reduce the cost, environmental impact and foreign dependence on strategic minerals and metals that are used for a variety of military technologies.  

This funding is for year two of Montana Tech’s five-year agreement with the Army Research Lab to conduct this critical military research. Funding under the agreement has the potential to grow substantially with each year of the agreement.