NSF Regional Innovation Engines (Engines)

NSF Regional Innovation Engines is NSF's large-scale cooperative-agreement program for building regional innovation ecosystems in parts of the U.S. that have not fully shared in the technology boom. It sits under the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and is meant to connect research, industry, and public partners around long-horizon regional growth. The awards start at $15 million over two years and can scale to $160 million per awardee over a decade, with the program's total investment near $1.6 billion. Lead organizations can be universities, nonprofits, non-academic organizations, or for-profits within CHIPS Act limits, but consortia are required and must include industry, higher education, nonprofits, tribal nations, and state or local government partners. The program is between cycles, with competition two finalists named in September 2025 and no new competition published as of May 2026. Engines is the right fit for coalitions that can prove they already have the relationships to build an ecosystem, not just a single project. Strong applications tend to center critical technologies, regional talent development, and a credible path to economic growth. The scale is substantial, but so is the burden of coordination, so the winning edge comes from a real consortium and a clear regional strategy.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.