Arizona’s three public universities have been awarded $115 million in federal CARES Act funding for their role in fighting COVID-19, Gov. Doug Ducey announced.

 “Our universities continue to go the extra mile to fight the spread of COVID-19, protect our communities, and ensure students’ needs are met,” Ducey said in a statement. “The innovation and perseverance of our universities have resulted in testing with quick results, additional PPE for health care workers, enhanced contact tracing, tests to detect antibodies, and much more.”

The funding was awarded to Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. Arizona State and the University of Arizona both received $46 million and North Arizona University received $23 million, the governor said.

“Arizona State University’s students, researchers and faculty have worked hard to find innovative ways to fight the pandemic and protect our community,” rizona State University President Dr. Michael Crow said in a statement. “With support from many corners, ASU has worked to be of public service in expanding saliva-based testing, using 3D printers to produce PPE, helping to support K-12 distance learning initiatives, and much more. My thanks to the innovators at ASU who are helping to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and to Governor Ducey for supporting our around-the-clock efforts.”