Modeling and Simulation Program (MSP) Program 

Fiscal Year 2023 Summary of Funding 

 FY 2023 Appropriation: $8,000,000 

 FY 2023 Amount for New Awards: 7,920,000 

 Total Amount Funded FY 2023 MSP Competition: $7,920,000 

 Number Absolute Priority 1 New Awards: 3 

 Total Number of FY 2023 MSP New Awards: 7 

Institution Name State Type of 

Institution 

Award 

Amount 

Type of 

Award 

Priority Abstract 

Page 

Old Dominion 

University VA 

Institution of 

Higher 

Education (IHE) 

4-year Public 

$1,154,926.00 

New Award 

from the FY 

2023 

Competition 

AP 1 - 

Enhancing 

Modeling and 

Simulation at 

Institutions of 

Higher 

2 

University of 

Maryland MD 

Institution of 

Higher 

Education 

(IHE) 

$1,155,000.00 

New Award 

from the FY 

2023 

Competition 

AP 1 - 

Enhancing 

Modeling and 

Simulation at 

Institutions of 

Higher 

3 

The University of 

Central Florida 

Board of Trustees 

FL 

Institution of 

Higher 

Education 

(IHE) 

$1,154,940.00 

New Award 

from the FY 

2023 

Competition 

AP 1 - 

Enhancing 

Modeling and 

Simulation at 

Institutions of 

Higher 

4 

Total Amount Absolute Priority - 1: $3,464,866.00 
2 

Title: Enhancing Undergraduate Modeling and Simulation Education through Proactive 

Recruitment, Inclusive Fellowships, and State-of-the-Art Curricula 

Institution: Old Dominion University 

Priorities: Absolute Priority 1: Enhancing Modeling and Simulation at Institutions of Higher 

Education, and Invitational Priority: Promoting Equity in Student Access to Educational 

Resources and Opportunities. 

Total Amount Requested: $1,154,926 

This project aims to enhance the Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Engineering 

undergraduate major offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Old 

Dominion University (ODU). This will be achieved by the development and implementation of 

innovative recruitment materials and activities, the introduction of inclusive fellowships 

encompassing both merit-based and need-based awards, the development of new courses that 

stay abreast of the cutting-edge advancements in the field of modeling and simulation and 

enhance the multidisciplinary nature of modeling and simulation, and the creation of learning 

communities to foster student engagement. The project team will actively engage and play a 

prominent role in the Modeling and Simulation Task Force to promote awareness of and 

establishing a comprehensive framework for the study of modeling and simulation. 

ODU has been at the forefront of advancing the field and has established itself as a leader 

in offering high-quality academic programs and conducting cutting-edge research in M&S. To 

increase program enrollment, an assortment of compelling recruitment materials and activities 

will be developed to cater to different populations, aiming to effectively engage and attract 

individuals from various backgrounds and demographics. Fellowships will be leveraged as a 

significant financial incentive to encourage and boost student enrollment. To promote both 

student success and access to the program, this project will provide a combination of merit-based 

and need-based fellowships. To optimize the effectiveness of the fellowships, this project will 

devise a fellowship distribution and disbursement model that considers a wide range of factors, 

such as the ratio between merit-based and need-based fellowships, the amount of fellowship 

offered, and class standing. ODU’s rich resources for student advising and success will be fully 

utilized to ensure the success of fellowship recipients. This project will develop a range of stateof-the-art courses that reflect emerging developments in M&S, including high-performance 

computing, machine learning and artificial intelligence, virtual reality (VR) and augmented 

reality (AR), data analytics and big data, medical digital twin technology, and autonomous and 

connected systems. All faculty involved in this project have extensive expertise and experience 

in various fields of modeling and simulation; they will participate in the M&S Task Force and 

play a leading role in defining the study of modeling and simulation. An Advisory Board will be 

formed to guide development of new courses, participation in the M&S Task Force, and other 

MSP project activities. 

ODU is a minority serving institution and all project activities will purposely target 

underrepresented groups, drawing from high school students and undergraduate students, and 

employing members of underrepresented groups (both faculty and graduate assistants) in this 

project. A comprehensive and rigorous project evaluation plan will be developed and 

implemented by an independent evaluator. The results of this project will be disseminated via 

various Internet channels such as GitHub and YouTube, presentations at premier professional 

venues, and publications in peer-reviewed journals. 
3 

University of Maryland (MD), $1,155,000, AP 1 - Enhancement Grant 

Project Title: Modeling and Simulation: From Physics and Data to Digital Twins and Metaverse 

University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Mechanical Engineering 

Abstract: As the boundaries of engineering expand, the modern engineer must not only master the 

foundational principles of engineering, but also demonstrate proficiency in harnessing 

machine learning and AI through data. In an era, where data is the pre-eminent currency and 

digital environments are becoming the new reality, education must keep pace. The aim of the 

proposed educational program is to equip students with this broad skill set, providing an advanced 

understanding of dynamics, physics-based modeling, data-centric systems, and robotics, all set 

within the context of creating and utilizing digital twins. The program will help blend theoretical 

knowledge with practical applications, providing a holistic learning experience that caters to 

modern technological trends. The ultimate goal is for students to create data-centric systems for 

cloud-based AI-augmented modeling and simulation by using cutting-edge tools such as NVIDIA 

Omniverse and NeuralAngelo. This progressive learning approach will help bridge the gap 

between conventional education and the ever-evolving technological world. 

a. Target Population: This project aims to involve approximately 30-40 undergraduate 

students, along with around 30-50 graduate students. 

b. Services and Proposed Activities: Our proposed program is structured around five core 

objectives. Objective 1 will be to perform literature review and conduct research on new 

methodologies and approaches within the field of system dynamics as well as industrial AI. 

This work will pave the way for the development of new courses and the revamping of 

existing ones. Objective 2 will be to foster problem-solving skills by encouraging students to 

engage and interact with peers outside their cohorts through workshops, seminars, and 

collaborative events, including opportunities to use advanced tools like NVIDIA Omniverse, 

and NeuralAngelo. Objective 3 will be to recruit students for modeling and simulation activities 

by using scholarships and assistantships as incentives. A key focus will be on diversifying the 

student body and fostering an equitable, inclusive community. Objective 4 will be to conduct 

outcome assessments by tracking student progress across cohorts. As Objective 5, we will 

also participate in annual task force meetings and disseminate our findings through major 

professional conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals. 

c. Anticipated Results: The proposed work is expected to result in the creation of new graduate 

ce rtificate programs. Upon completing the program, students will have de ve lope d a 

comprehensive understanding of system modeling and simulation, alongside practical skills in 

using state-of-the-art tools. They will be well-prepared to contribute to industries that leverage 

these technologies, such as robotics, AI, and data science. 

d. Absolute Priority Addressed: We are responding to Absolute Priority 1. The proposed 

certificate programs will expand our established curriculum in system dynamics, nonlinear 

oscillations, data-driven engineering, and robotics by integrating them with advanced 

techniques in system modeling and simulation. The current curriculum offers advanced 

courses in these areas, preparing students for successful careers in industries spanning 

mechanical design, robotics, advanced manufacturing, automation, and data science to system 

design and digital twin creation. It provides an in-depth background in the computational 

methods commonly used in modeling, simulation, and the design optimization of complex 

mechanical and robotic systems. Incorporating AI-augmented modeling and simulation, with 

particular emphasis on creating and utilizing digital twins, will significantly broaden and 

deepen the program's scope and impact. 
4 

PROJECT ABSTRACT 

The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees (FL), $1,154,940 

AP 1 - Enhancement Grant 

Project Title: Graduate Certificate in Digital Twins for Next Generation Modeling and 

Simulation 

This project proposal aims to address the Absolute Priority 1 - Enhancing Modeling and 

Simulation at Institutions of Higher Education, particularly enhancing our existing Modeling 

and Simulation (M&S) programs with a comprehensive graduate M&S certificate program in 

Digital Twins (DTs) at the School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training (SMST) at the 

University of Central Florida (UCF). Over the three-year performance period, our institution will 

offer targeted services and conduct activities to develop and implement this graduate certificate 

program, benefitting a diverse range of professionals. The total amount requested is 

$1,154,940. 

DTs are a live digital replica of complex systems (i.e., simulations) with high-fidelity, 

large-scale level of integration, and real-time streams of data to facilitate understanding, training, 

and conducting real-time predictive analysis. This next generation technology requires next 

generation academic programs to support its design, development, implementation, and 

deployment. The goal of the project is to equip the next generation of professionals from 

diverse backgrounds and industries with the knowledge and skills necessary to harness the 

potential of the DT technology. 

Through the development and delivery of this certificate, we will empower graduates, 

including minoritized students, with the expertise they need to design, implement, manage, and 

innovate using DT solutions. The project is designed to accomplish the following objectives: (1) 

Develop a graduate certificate program in Digital Twin (CDT); (2) Develop and implement a multimode version of CDT to allow students to complete the program online, in person, or in hybrid 

mode; (3) Immerse students in industry and research motivated by real-life applications for 

effective workforce development in M&S; and (4) Serve Hispanic and other underrepresented 

student populations with intention. 

Our target population consists of professionals from diverse industries such as manufacturing, 

education, energy, healthcare, transportation, defense, smart cities and amusement parks, among 

others. This includes simulation analysts, engineers, data scientists, social scientists, urban 

planners, project managers, and executives who seek enhanced DT skill and knowledge. 

The primary activities of our program involve developing and delivering a comprehensive 

curriculum encompassing core concepts, including digital transformation, real-time simulation 

modeling, data-driven modeling, and machine learning for DTs. We will provide hands-on training 

through industry collaborations, case studies, and practical projects which will allow students to 

apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. We will also facilitate networking and knowledge 

exchange through guest lectures, industry panels, and collaborative projects. 

Anticipated results include graduates who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to 

develop and implement DT solutions in their respective industries. We expect increased adoption 

of DT technology, leading to improved operational efficiency, and optimized decision-making in 

industries. Furthermore, we anticipate enhanced collaboration between academia and industry, and 

innovative workforce that fosters innovation and drives the development of DT technologies. 

UCF, a federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), meets the Invitational 

Priority by being one of 30 HSIs nationwide that is certified with the Seal of Excelencia for 

serving Latino students. UCF is also one of 21 institutions in the country that are both an HSI and 

Research 1 (very high research activity) and is a member institution of the Alliance of Hispanic 

Serving Research Universities. UCF plans to implement a program that focuses on encouraging 

and recruiting graduate students and professionals from Hispanic and other underrepresented 

backgrounds, locally, nationally, and internationally.