NSF Engines Proposers’ Day Recap
The National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines, program hosted Proposers’ Day—a virtual workshop held on August 1, 2022, for the regional teams that submitted concept outlines and advanced to the next step as outlined in the program's funding opportunity.
More than 2,700 team members attended the event, which was designed to help regional teams spanning all 50 states and four U.S. territories develop compelling proposals. Event participants learned about:
- The characteristics of a Type-1 or Type-2 NSF Engines proposal;
- Defining a regionally-centered NSF Engine focused on a “right-sized” geographical region of service;
- Exploring approaches for building an NSF Engine where diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility are integral parts at every level; and
- Identifying strategies for building an effective leadership team and trusted partnerships.
Proposers’ Day highlights
Below are the highlights—including slide decks and recordings—from the NSF Engines Proposers’ Day.
General Session
Welcome to Proposers’ Day
Dmitri Perkins, Lead Program Director, Regional Innovation Engines Program, NSF
Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, NSF
Analysis of Concept Outlines
Daniel Goetzel, Entrepreneurial Lead, Regional Innovation Engines Program, NSF
Dmitri Perkins, Lead Program Director, Regional Innovation Engines Program, NSF
Demo of Visualization Platform
Grace Yuan, Staff Associate for Data and Analytics, Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, NSF
Accelerating a Life Sciences Innovation Ecosystem: A Case Study in Public-Private Partnership
Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, President and CEO of Biomedical Growth Strategies; Former President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC)—a state-funded investment organization charged with administering a $1 billion Life Sciences investment fund
Understanding How the Proposals Will Be Reviewed: The Review Criteria
Michal Ziv-El, Program Director, Regional Innovation Engines Program, Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC), Cyber-Physical Systems, Smart and Connected Communities, NSF
Understanding How the Proposals Will Be Reviewed: The Process
Rebecca Shearman, Program Director, Regional Innovation Engines Program, NSF
Michal Ziv-El, Program Director, Regional Innovation Engines, Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC), Cyber-Physical Systems, and Smart and Connected Communities Programs, NSF
Developing Impactful DEIA Plans
Rebecca Shearman, Program Director, Regional Innovation Engines Program, NSF
Monya Ruffin, Program Director, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, NSF
Breakout Sessions
Governance Models and Leadership Structure
Daniel Goetzel, Entrepreneurial Lead, Regional Innovation Engines Program, NSF
Randy Duran, Program Director, Engineering Research Centers Program, NSF
Budgeting and Use of NSF Funds
Geoffrey Brown, Program Director, Regional Innovation Engines Program, NSF
Francesmary Modugno, Program Director, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, NSF
Type-1 and Type-2 Review Criteria
Michal Ziv-El, Program Director, Regional Innovation Engines Program, Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC), Cyber-Physical Systems, and Smart and Connected Communities Programs, NSF
Rebecca Shearman, Program Director, Regional Innovation Engines Program, NSF
No slides were used for this breakout session.
Next Steps
Letters of intent, the next step outlined in the NSF Engines funding opportunity, are due by August 31, 2022, for Type-1 proposals and December 15, 2022, for Type-2 proposals.
About NSF Engines
Launched by the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, or TIP, the NSF Engines program envisions fostering multiple flourishing regional innovation ecosystems across the country, providing a unique opportunity to spur economic growth in regions that have not fully participated in the technology boom of the past few decades. Each NSF Engine catalyzes robust partnerships rooted in scientific and technological innovation to positively impact the economy within a geographic region, addresses societal challenges, and advances national competitiveness. For the latest NSF Engines information, bookmark the website and subscribe to the email list.