South Carolina universities, including Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, the College of Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina, are set to receive a significant sum of $3,860,000 from the South Carolina Research Authority to boost innovation and research initiatives in the state. The funds will support projects ranging from developing cancer vaccines to improving ways to treat neurodegenerative diseases and creating more efficient energy through hydrogen fuel cells. The South Carolina Research Authority's new grant program, SACT, is structured into two tracks. Track one focuses on commercializing academic technologies and advancing innovation, with Clemson, MUSC, and USC receiving $860,000 each for projects like compacted hydrogen fuel cell prototypes and cancer vaccines. Track two aims to enhance research capabilities, with Coastal Carolina and the College of Charleston receiving $640,000 each for initiatives in biomedicine, kinesiology, and engineering solutions for global logistics. This initiative underscores a positive trend towards collaborative academic efforts in driving technological advancements and addressing critical health and energy challenges.