NSF Advances 15 Semifinalists in 2nd NSF Engines Competition
NSF Selects 15 Regional Innovation Engines Competition Finalists The NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) initiative has selected 15 finalists for the second round. These finalists were selected from teams that submitted preliminary designs after obtaining 300 Letters of Intent (LOI) in early summer 2024.
Improve energy grid security, increase essential minerals mining extraction output, and create quantum computing are the competition's main goals. Universities, businesses, and charities from throughout the US head the finalist teams. “The NSF Engines finalists have consistently communicated their strong vision for placing their regions on the map as the national and world leaders in key technologies, demonstrating their commitment to advancing U.S. research, innovation, and workforce development,” said NSF director Brian Stone, who congratulated the teams. He stressed the importance of global innovation ability to rapidly advance crucial technologies to maintain America's scientific and technology leadership. Focus on Quantum and Advanced Computing Many quantum and advanced computing projects are among the 15 finalists: Main investigator David Awschalom leads Quantum Connected at the University of Chicago (Chicago, IL). S. Pamir Alpay leads the University of Connecticut's QuantumCT project in Storrs. Princeton University's Advancing Photonics Technologies (APT) project is led by Craig Arnold. APT, a consortium, promotes photonics and optics in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, known as “Photon Junction”. APT leaders include Rowan, Rutgers, and Nokia Bell Labs. Communications, national security, and quantum computing require photonics, the synthesis, detection, and manipulation of light. Oregon State University in Corvallis' Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST) program is led by principal investigator Thomas Weller. Engines Program Pays Off NSF TIP initiated the NSF Engines effort to build regional innovation ecosystems nationwide to expedite transformative emerging technology R&D. This promotes American security and economic competitiveness. Nearly two years after funding, the first NSF Engines have yielded notable results. Since a $135 million investment in nine NSF Engines spurred more than $1 billion in matching commitments from state and local governments, the corporate sector, and philanthropy, public expenditures have returned tenfold. These prior investments promote energy storage, chipmaking, and AI. Competition Procedure and Future Actions For a year or more, numerous contenders have formed regional alliances. Interestingly, 11 teams in this cohort received two-year planning funding from the NSF Engines Development Awards in 2023 and early 2024 to extend their coalitions and develop their vision. After reviewing preliminary ideas, NSF selected 71 teams to submit full proposals by spring 2025. 29 teams advanced to the summer semifinals. The NSF selected 15 candidates based on their regional coalitions, leadership, core partners, and R&D and translation vision after live, virtual evaluations. Finalists will undergo NSF due diligence and in-depth interviews in the following stage. Partners will be key to the selection process, which will also assess risks, resources, and the team's adaptability. NSF encourages regional constituents in each finalist's service region to endorse the suggested initiatives. The final NSF Engines grants from this competition are due in early 2026.
