Wilmington, N.C. — The National Institute of Standards and Technology announced Monday that the University of North Carolina-Wilmington would receive $15 million for a new facility for the Marine Biotechnology in North Carolina program.

The award is one of four, totaling more than $55 million, for the construction of new scientific research facilities at universities. The University of Miami, Auburn University and Rice University also received funding.

“These awards mean four major construction projects in these local areas, with the jobs and economic benefits they bring,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in a statement. “Even more important, these four projects provide a major boost to scientific research at four respected universities, enhancing innovation, public safety and environmental protection for many, many years to come.”

The new research buildings will provide state-of-the-art laboratory facilities supporting academic research across a broad range of topics affecting the Commerce Department's mission, including fundamental physics research, nanotechnology, aquaculture and marine ecology.

Money for the projects comes from the federal economic stimulus package.