Three Kentucky Projects Invited to Compete for $160M NSF Funding to Transform Regional Innovation and Economic Growth
- AMT
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced in October 2024 that 71 teams were invited to submit full proposals in the second round of funding for the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program. All three preliminary proposals submitted from Kentucky were moved on to the full proposal stage.
Authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and launched by the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, the NSF Engines program intends to expand our nation’s innovation capacity by investing in key areas of technology and economic growth in distinct regions. The program provides a unique opportunity to accelerate innovation, bolster national security and supply chains, and generate economic growth in regions across the country.
Kentucky is one of only eight states with three or more projects receiving invitations to submit proposals for funding according to data released by the NSF. The Kentucky projects moving forward in the competition are:
Advancing Circular Economy Technologies for Advanced Manufacturing Solutions (also known as GAME Change) led by University of Kentucky (UK) which aims to create a diverse innovation and talent development hub that secures U.S. competitiveness in Next-Generation Manufacturing and supply chain logistics, supports closed-cycle manufacturing to reduce waste and increases efficiencies across sectors >Learn More
Kentucky Additive Manufacturing Engine (KY-AME) led by Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation (KSTC) with goals to streamline and advance additive manufacturing technologies that will revolutionize manufacturing practices in Kentucky and strengthen national security in aerospace and defense >Learn More
Regional Energy Business, Education and Commercialization Convergence Accelerator (REBECCA) led by University of Louisville (UofL) which plans to grow the region’s energy economy, including needed technology, infrastructure and workforce >Learn More
Core institutions behind each proposal are committed to collaboration in order to boost Kentucky’s competitiveness and realize the commonwealth’s potential as a center for innovation. KSTC and UofL are named core partners in the GAME Change project, and UofL is a core partner on the KY-AME proposal.
“We are all building on the powerful trajectory of Kentucky’s economic growth. Each of these proposals has the potential to bring long-lasting impact by attracting industries, companies and high-wage skilled jobs to the commonwealth.” KSTC President Terry Samuel
The potential impact for Kentucky is immense. Each team could receive up to $160M in funding over ten years to advance their project, the largest award ever offered by the NSF. With this funding, each team proposes to amplify the local and regional economic impact of these technologies through industry transformation, investments in the region’s workforce, and public-private partnerships that translate innovative research into practical application. Support from local and state government, industry leaders and nonprofit organizations is critical to realizing the potential of this federal investment and the full economic impact of these technologies.
Early collaborative efforts indicate Kentucky is well-poised to be competitive for funding. The GAME Change and KY-AME projects each received a $1M development award through the first round of NSF Engines funding and REBECCA was awarded a $500,000 planning grant through the U.S. Tech Hubs Program from the U.S. Economic Development Administration also authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act. NSF received nearly 300 letters of intent for the latest round of funding, which were required before submitting a preliminary proposal.
Kentucky’s projects also received support from the Kentucky General Assembly in the form of House Resolution 13 and Senate Resolution 27, demonstrating the commonwealth’s commitment to developing industry-transforming innovation, technology-based economic development, and growth of high-wage jobs.
Additionally, Kentucky’s proposals align with NSF aims to foster cross-sector connections. In a release, NSF shared that nearly one-third of those invited to submit full proposals are led by organization located in NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF EPSCoR) jurisdictions (including Kentucky) and 23 are led by nonacademic organizations (including KSTC).
“The momentum we’ve seen for these projects across two rounds of the NSF Engines competition is incredible and highlights the progress we’ve made in Kentucky by investing in research and cutting-edge technologies,” shared KSTC President Terry Samuel. “We are all building on the powerful trajectory of Kentucky’s economic growth. Each of these proposals has the potential to bring long-lasting impact by attracting industries, companies and high-wage skilled jobs to the commonwealth.”
Full proposals were due to the NSF in April 2025. According to the NSF, this solicitation is consistent with NSF’s FY2025 budget request, but the ability to make new NSF Engines awards will be based on final FY2025 appropriations.
