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NSF selects 29 semifinalists in the second NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition
The overlap between applicants and recipients of the three large regional innovation approaches attempted by the federal government so far continues with the July 9, 2025, NSF narrowing of the field for the second NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition to 29 semifinalists across the country. Predominantly with teams led by universities and university affiliates (25 of the 29 selections), the contenders include 17 NSF Engines Development Awards teams who received two-year planning grants in 2023 and early 2024 that they leveraged to help build coalitions and refine visions for dynamic innovation ecosystems within their regions. It also includes regions that have served as EDA Tech Hubs designees, Tech Hub winners, and recipients of Building Better Regions Phase I and/or Phase II awards.
Seventy-one teams engaged in this round of the competition. One may view a map of the 29 new NSF Engines semifinalists here.
During the next stage of the competition, NSF will conduct virtual interviews and assessments of the semifinalist teams to gain further understanding of their regional coalitions, the alignment of their proposed leadership teams and core partners, and their visions for research and development (R&D) as well as translation. These virtual “site visits” likely will take place in August. NSF will select the finalists for the NSF Engines program following these assessments. NSF anticipates announcing the final list of new NSF Engines awards in early 2026; no specific number of awards or amount of funding they might be vying to divide has been released by the agency.
More information about the NSF Engines program can be found on the NSF Engines program website.