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NSF Regional Innovation Engines program selects 16 teams for the final round of competition

August 03, 2023
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The National Science Foundation announced 16 finalists for the first-ever NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) competition, spanning a range of key technology areas and societal and economic challenges highlighted in the "CHIPS and Science Act." The NSF Engines will link up with local and regional partners to expand innovation nationwide and create collaborative and inclusive technology-driven innovation ecosystems.

The lead organizations for the 16 teams are:

Arizona State University

Current Innovation, NFP (IL)

FUZEHUB, Inc. (NY)

ICAMR, Inc. (FL)

Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation

Louisiana State University

Michigan State University

New Mexico Trade Alliance

North Dakota State University, Fargo

Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative, Inc. (CO) (NY)

SUNY at Binghamton

The Industrial Commons (NC)

University of Chicago

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Texas at El Paso

Wake Forest University School of Medicine (NC)

NSF anticipates announcing the NSF Engines awards this winter, with each awardee initially receiving about $15 million for the first two years. Each NSF Engine could receive up to $160 million over 10 years; actual amounts will be subject to a given NSF Engine's status and overall progress, as assessed annually.

Over an up to 10-year period, an NSF Engine is expected to progress through three phases: nascent, emergent, and growth. When successful, an NSF Engine will lead to its region becoming a nationally renowned, self-sustaining, technology- and innovation-driven hub of economic activity for the topic in which it specializes.

The finalist teams will be interviewed in person later this summer and fall to assess risks, resources, and a given team's ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The role of the NSF Engines' partners will be a key component of the selection process at this stage. Through this announcement, NSF offers a “clarion call” to regional constituents within each finalist's region of service to support the teams by increasing or reinforcing their commitments to support the proposed activities.

Our congratulations to SSTI members selected as Engine finalists.

More information about the finalist teams can be found here.

nsf, chips, innovation