Claflin University Breaks Ground on New Biotechnology and Innovation Center

by Marlena Chertock |

Claflin University, a UNCF-member institution, held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 20, 2026 to celebrate the start of construction on the university’s new Biotechnology and Innovation Center, which it plans to open in 2027.

Claflin University, a UNCF-member institution, held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 20, 2026 to celebrate the start of construction on the university’s new Biotechnology and Innovation Center, which it plans to open in 2027. In August 2023, Claflin received a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for $17.4 million to support construction.

Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack shared the news on his LinkedIn page.

“The Biotechnology and Innovation Center is a bridge connecting academic excellence with industry innovation,” said a recent issue of the alumni newsletter. “It is an investment in our students, our community and the future of biotech and computer science—our rock-solid confidence in a bright future powered by Claflin talent.”

The Center will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, positioning Claflin students at the forefront of emerging fields in science, technology and innovation, according to a press release on the university’s website.

The new facility is expected to enhance Claflin’s academic offerings while strengthening its role as a leader among historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in advancing STEM education.