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NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines)


Added by:   National contact point
Added on:   03 Jun 2026
Updated by:   OECD analyst
Updated on:   03 Jun 2026

A large-scale, long-term NSF programme building self-sustaining regional innovation ecosystems through coalitions of industry, academia, government, and civil society, integrating use-inspired R&D with workforce development and technology commercialisation.

Initiative overview

Launched in May 2022 by NSF's Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) and authorised under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The programme targets geographically underserved regions that have not fully participated in the technology boom of recent decades. Awards follow a phased model: Type-1 Development Awards (up to USD 1M for up to 2 years) support groundwork and partnerships; Type-2 awards (up to USD 160M over up to 10 years) fund full Engine development across nascent, emergent, and growth phases. In May 2023, 44 development awards were made; in January 2024, 10 inaugural full Engine awards were announced covering 18 states. Each Engine is led by a full-time CEO and covers use-inspired research, technology translation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, community engagement, and ecosystem building. AI is a key technology focus area alongside semiconductors, biotechnology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. NSF investment has already been matched 2-to-1 by private, philanthropic, and other government sources.

About the policy initiative


Category:

  • AI policy initiatives, programmes and projects

Initiative type:

  • Research grants/funding

Status:

  • Active

Start Year:

  • 2023

Other relevant urls: