The National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected the BRIDGES Engine as one of 12 recipients of NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) awards. The initiative will receive an initial $15 million cooperative agreement, with the potential for up to $160 million in funding over 10 years to support the development of a sustainable biotechnology-based economy across Alabama and Tennessee.
School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) faculty member and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies Meisha Shofner is part of the BRIDGES Engine team, one of the recipients of the award. The regional effort brings together more than 80 partners across the Southeast to advance innovation, create jobs, and expand economic opportunities in rural communities.
The NSF Regional Innovation Engines program supports regional ecosystems that have historically seen limited benefit from recent technology-driven economic growth. Through BRIDGES, partners aim to transform underutilized farmland into new economic opportunities by creating markets for farmers, attracting private investment, expanding manufacturing capacity, and developing pathways to high-quality jobs.
At Georgia Tech, Shofner leads activities focused on packaging technologies. She is collaborating with School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering faculty member Sankar Nair, who is leading efforts in biomass fractionation, and Carson Meredith of the University of Tennessee.
BRIDGES seeks to strengthen the region's bioeconomy by supporting the cultivation of perennial grass crops, including miscanthus and switchgrass, that can be tailored to specific industrial applications. The initiative also aims to provide industry with renewable materials that meet performance and cost requirements, while supporting the growing demand for sustainably produced products.
Additional goals include expanding commercialization pathways for biobased products, fostering entrepreneurship, and enhancing workforce development through education and training programs. Through these efforts, BRIDGES aims to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting sustainable manufacturing and biobased industries across the region.
LINKS:
https://www.nsf.gov/news/nsf-awards-12-new-regional-innovation-engines-fuel-research