By Katie Perkowski

Gov. Steve Beshear announced two new federal grants that will give Kentucky high schools and universities more than $14 million at a news conference Monday morning. The news conference was held at UK’s Administrative Building.

The first grant is from the National Science Foundation and is aimed at research in universities for biotechnology, nanotechnology and cyber-technology. It totals $12.5 million over five years. The state is also expected to match an additional $5 million over the life of the grant.

There are eight schools that will receive funding from this grant, predominantly UK and the University of Louisville.

Beshear said the grants will focus on the design and synthesis of advanced research.

The second grant was given by the U.S. Department of Education Advanced Placement Incentive Program for $2.1 million. The grants will affect high schools by implementing more AP courses in math, science and English. It also includes $200,000 that will go toward AP Chinese classes.

Beshear said the grants will broaden opportunities for students to stretch their minds.

“We have to produce smarter and smarter students if we are to compete globally,” he said.