Northeastern University (The Roux Institute)

In 2020, the Harold Alfond Foundation announced a major, multi-year grant of $100,000,000 in support of The Roux Institute at Northeastern University (NU).

As described by NU, “The Roux Institute was launched in Portland, Maine in 2020. Several years prior, tech-entrepreneur David Roux, co-founder of Silver Lake Partners, and his wife, Barbara, envisioned a high-quality computer and life science graduate school in downtown Portland. Having studied both the workforce needs of Maine and the significant economic impacts of technology centers in other cities, the Rouxs built a coalition of partners to design and implement this cutting-edge graduate program, tailored to the needs of the growing innovation economy.”

 “With Northeastern University as a founding partner, The Roux Institute was born.  From its headquarters in the WEX building—home to one of Maine’s largest and premier employers—The Roux Institute offers certificate, masters, Ph.D., and postdoc courses in high-demand fields, such as experiential AI, digital engineering, bioinformatics, as well as top-tier research programs. Robust partnerships with Maine’s higher education institutions and the local business community complement The Roux Institute’s national and international connections through Northeastern. Together, these programs and vast networks make The Roux Institute graduates highly employable. Classes commenced in the fall of 2020.”

The Harold Alfond Foundation’s 2020 grant commitment of $100,000,000 matches the Rouxs’ founding gift amount and is targeted toward student scholarships, graduate education programming, and research capabilities for Maine residents studying artificial intelligence, computer and data science, digital engineering, and the advanced life sciences. The grant is designed to help spur the innovation, talent development and business growth necessary for the Maine economy.