OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — The Hamm Institute for American Energy at Oklahoma State University has awarded $225,000 in seed grant funding to support new research projects focused on energy security.
The funding, supported by Google.org, will provide $25,000 each to nine early-stage research projects. The projects focus on energy markets, firm power, critical minerals, grid resilience, data center infrastructure, small modular reactors, energy-efficient data center design, and related technologies.
“Google.org’s support is helping accelerate research that connects innovation with some of the country’s most urgent energy challenges,” said Katie Altshuler, Hamm Institute deputy executive director. “Energy security depends on practical research that addresses real-world challenges. These projects reflect the breadth of expertise across OSU, as well as the role research can play in strengthening America’s energy future.”
The 2026-27 seed grant projects include research on liquefied natural gas prices, produced water mineral recovery, sour gas sweetening, aquifer thermal energy storage, blockchain-enabled energy systems, bromine recovery, AI data centers and grid resilience, neutrino imaging of small modular reactors, and AI-powered digital twins for sustainable data center design.
The Hamm Institute said the seed grant program supports OSU researchers pursuing projects with clear relevance to energy security, technology development, infrastructure resilience, and American competitiveness.
“These grants are an investment in Oklahoma State University researchers whose work can help address some of the most pressing energy challenges facing the country,” said Dr. Kenneth Sewell, OSU vice president for research. “By supporting early stage research, we are building the technical foundation for future discovery, commercialization, policy development and industry collaboration.”
The grants are connected to Google.org’s support for the Hamm Institute’s AI-related energy research, including work focused on power and infrastructure needs associated with rising electricity demand.
Google has operated in Oklahoma for nearly two decades. The company said its investments and technologies helped provide more than $2.6 billion in economic activity for Oklahoma businesses, publishers, nonprofits, creators, and developers in 2025. Google has also announced a $9 billion investment for new data center development in Oklahoma.
