On January 29, 2024, the National Science Foundation announced the 10 inaugural Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines). The Engines program was authorized in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 to create and sustain regional ecosystems that foster research and development, technological innovation, and workforce development in the 10 Key Technology Areas enumerated in CHIPS. The awardees will each receive $15 million over the next two years and up to $160 million each over the next decade.
NSF released the original Broad Agency Announcement for the program in May 2022 and received over 600 concept outlines from interested parties. The agency announced 44 Type-1 development award winners in May 2023. Type-1 awardees received $1 million for up to two years to lay the groundwork for establishing a new NSF Engine in their region. Fifteen semifinalists and finalists from the Type-2 full Engines competition were invited to pursue additional Type-1 development awards. A Type-1 award is not required to pursue a full Engines proposal.
McAllister & Quinn staff tracked the Engines program from its authorization, analyzing the key provisions in the CHIPS bill and interviewing key experts on NSF programs and the TIP Directorate. Additionally, McAllister & Quinn conducted keyword and geographic analysis of the original concept outlines providing clients with key strategic intelligence on potential regional and national partners and subject areas.
Combining early strategic intelligence based on expert guidance and data analysis along with proposal development and project management support, McAllister & Quinn guided clients to successful Type-1 awards. Further analyzing the awardee data from Type-1 and Type-2 awards, McAllister & Quinn has developed a Program Intelligence Guide for a future solicitation for additional Type-2 full Engines awards. The guide includes topic, awardee, geographic, and teaming analysis for stakeholders interested in pursuing a full Engine award.
NSF Announces Regional Innovation Engines
On January 29, 2024, the National Science Foundation announced the 10 inaugural Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines).