Regional Innovation Engines

• Advance critical technologies like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced wireless, and biotechnology;

• Address pressing national and societal challenges;

• Cultivate partnerships across industry, academia, government, nonprofits, civil society, and communities of practice; 

• Promote and stimulate economic growth and job creation; and

• Spur regional innovation and talent. 

Each NSF Engine can receive up to $160 million to support the development of diverse regional coalitions of researchers, institutions, companies and civil society to conduct research and development that engages people in the process of creating solutions with economic and societal impacts. Through the process, NSF Engines will train and develop the local workforce and grow regional innovation ecosystems throughout the U.S. 

The NSF Engines program provides up to 10 years of funding to establish each NSF Engine, with the option to get two years of funding for planning before the official launch of an NSF Engine. 

Over the coming decade, the NSF Engines program – led by the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, or TIP – envisions supporting multiple flourishing regional innovation ecosystems across the U.S., spurring economic growth in regions that have not fully participated in the technology boom of the past few decades.  

The NSF Engines program expects more groups to lead and participate in NSF Engines, including: 

• Groups with distinct geographic reach;  

• Groups with an emphasis on diversity; and  

• Groups new to NSF or government funding.