NSF selects 34 semifinalists for the inaugural NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition

NSF has announced 34 semifinalists for the first-ever NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) competition, spanning nearly all key technology areas and societal and economic challenges highlighted in the "CHIPS and Science Act." The NSF Engines will be led by universities, nonprofits,businesses and other organizations from across US states and territories. NSF is releasing the list of semifinalists to transparently encourage teaming among diverse organizations, innovation, and regional growth.

NSF initially received 188 concept outlines for NSF Engines. Following a proposers' day and other activities that encouraged teaming, NSF has now completed initial merit review of proposals, narrowing to the 34 semifinalists. During the next stage, NSF will interview each team to assess their proposed leadership's ability to rapidly mobilize in the first two years; their competitive advantages; and budget and resources for their planned research and development, translation and workforce development efforts. Those selected to move to the final round in July will be interviewed in person to assess risks and committed resources, as well as the team's ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

This latest “announcement builds upon the 44 NSF Engines Development Awards that we announced in early May," noted Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for TIP. "Over the next two years, those awards will help organizations create connections and develop their local innovation ecosystems to prepare strong proposals for becoming future NSF Engines. Collectively, the NSF Engines Development Awards and today's NSF Engines semifinalists will ensure the US harnesses the geography of innovation and remains in the vanguard of competitiveness well into the future."

Semifinalists from the EPSCoR jurisdictions include:

• University of ALABAMA at Birmingham: NSF Engines: Type-2: Birmingham BIG PITCH: Biotechnology and Innovation for Growth – Post-Industrial Transition to a Commercialization Hub
• Regents of the University of IDAHO: NSF Engines: Type-2: FIERCE: Fueling an Innovative, Equitable and Resilient Climate-smart Economy
• KENTUCKY Science & Technology Corporation: NSF Engines: Type-2: Additive Manufacturing Forward Engine (AMFE)
• LOUISIANA State University: NSF Engines: Type-2: Engine for Louisiana Innovation and Transition of Energy (ELITE) University
• NEVADA System of Higher Education: NSF Engines: Type 2: Intermountain Region Integrated Ecosystem (IRIE) for Critical Battery Materials Supply Chain, Sustainable Battery Technologies and Economic Prosperity Engine
• NEW MEXICO Trade Alliance: NSF Engines: Type 2: Space for Earth, Space for All: Space Valley's Role in Securing America's Economic and Political Future
• University of NEW MEXICO: NSF Engines: Type-2: Regional Advancement Leveraging Innovations for Water and Energy Security Transformation (RALI-WEST)
• NORTH DAKOTA State University Fargo: NSF Engines: Type-2: Northern Plains AgTech Engine for Food systems Adapted for Resiliency and Maximized Security (FARMS)