From bold idea to towering reality, the future has arrived at Mason Square.
More than just a building, Fuse is a public-private partnership between the university and industry that will bring both community and economic vitality to the region. This visionary space is built for innovation and impact. Fuse will be a pivotal central hub where researchers, entrepreneurial partners, students, and faculty will combine their talents and answer the call of the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative, creating bold solutions for a changing world.
“There’s no better place for people to come, for students to come, for industry to come in order to tackle the problems of the future.”
— University President Gregory Washington
Research for Today's Challenges
Fuse at Mason Square is a hub of robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence research at the intersection of AI, immersive technologies, and public trust. Researchers here explore how machines interact with human environments—from off-road navigation to humanoid movement—while leading projects including government contracting studies and interactive AI games that improve public safety. The facility hosts cutting-edge immersive technology—VR, AR, and 3D visualization—transforming education, training, and well-being through climate resilience and real-time training scenarios.
The Next Step in Human-Robot Technology
At George Mason University’s Applied Psychology and Autonomous Systems Lab, researchers are exploring one of the biggest questions of our time: How do we build ethical, trustworthy AI? Blending psychology, human factors, and robotics, the team is shaping how humans and machines collaborate.
Transforming Emergency Response Training
George Mason researchers are using AI-augmented games to transform complex challenges into interactive learning experiences. Developed as part of a National Science Foundation initiative, the games simulate emergencies and provide tailored insights into decision-making processes.
Driving Regional Innovation
As a nexus of collaboration designed with partnership at its core, Fuse is primed to be a driver of the regional economy and a key piece of George Mason's ecosystem of campuses, small business development centers, and community college partnerships. Strategically located in the burgeoning technology and innovation corridor that runs from Washington, D.C., to Richmond and beyond, Fuse enables easy collaboration across the stakeholder universe with student, faculty, corporate partner, and community-based programming. Here, George Mason's networks and collaboration expand opportunities, research accelerates lab-to-market pipelines, and career-ready graduates strengthen Virginia's economy, while an open campus innovation ecosystem infrastructure taps into George Mason resources to build a stronger future.
Mason Enterprise
Mason Enterprise fuels entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth across the region through a comprehensive network of programs. Utilizing incubators, accelerators, and education and advisory services, Mason Enterprise programs span start-up support, business incubation, technology commercialization, funding connections, and targeted programs for Virginia businesses. By fostering innovation and investment, Mason Enterprise positions the region as a premier destination for entrepreneurs and high-growth ventures.
Oasis Hill joins Fuse at Mason Square
Oasis has partnered with George Mason University to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. From their new home in Fuse at Mason Square, they'll host pitch competitions, accelerate startups, and engage with students, faculty, and industry leaders. Oasis is just one of the tenants moving into the Fuse building in Arlington, VA.
Built for the Future
Among the many sustainability features of the new Fuse building are a vertical solar array, a high-performance building envelope, and a robust platform of smart building controls, technology, and dashboards that will enable operators, researchers, and even tenants to learn from and influence the sustainability performance of the building. This digital innovation headquarters will meet LEED Platinum, FitWel 2-star wellbeing, and RELi resilience standards.
Meeting the Challenge
From individual donors to a pivotal $250 million investment from the county and the commonwealth, Fuse represents the culmination of a community’s belief in George Mason and marks a significant milestone in our $1 billion Mason Now campaign. Having already raised more than half of our goal in record time, we now look ahead with the same bold vision that has guided us since our earliest days. We are committed to delivering on our promises to our students, to the region, and to the world—and Fuse is one of those promises made real.