Missouri is making strides in the tech sector as four higher education institutions have advanced in a national competition by the National Science Foundation to foster innovation in regional economies. The institutions, which include Missouri University of Science and Technology, University of Missouri–Kansas City, University of Missouri–St. Louis, and Washington University in St. Louis, are among 71 teams across the nation invited to submit full proposals for the National Science Foundation's Regional Innovation Engines program. This announcement was met with enthusiasm from Missouri Governor Mike Parson, who stated, "Missouri's technology sector is budding and growing, and these teams will help us continue the exceptional work we have done to develop our workforce, strengthen our infrastructure, and emerge as a technological leader," as reported by the Office of the Governor.
Each of the advancing institutions has proposed a unique focal area aimed at addressing key technological and economic needs of Missouri and beyond. Missouri S&T's project, titled "Engine for Midwest Mobility Innovation and Technology," seeks to drive advancements in mobility technologies. The team advancing at University of Missouri–Kansas City is working on the "Critical Materials Crossroads Energy Materials Ecosystem," which focuses on addressing scarce material challenges in energy. University of Missouri–St. Louis is making efforts in the "Reshoring KSM and API Manufacturing Through Innovation," prioritizing the revival of domestic manufacturing. Announced by pleased Washington University in St. Louis Chancellor Andrew Martin, WashU, partnering with BioSTL, has submitted a proposal for the "Neuroscience Engine to Unlock Regional Opportunity," aiming to capitalize on the region's capabilities in neuroscience, according to the Office of the Governor.
Supported by the National Science Foundation's initiative to spur cross-sector collaboration and regional economic development, these teams are looking to leverage the power of partnership across diverse industries. According to a statement from Dr. Bennett Boggs, the Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, "Their creative efforts support our employers and present expanded opportunities for Missourians to access family-sustaining jobs." The National Science Foundation Engines program, has sparked not only the interest of academia but also a range of stakeholders from nonprofits to local governments who are eager to collaborate with these burgeoning innovation hubs, as per the Office of Governor.
The National Science Foundation Engines initiative, which aims to build partnerships to advance translational research and create new workforce pathways, required interested organizations to submit letters of intent followed by preliminary proposals. The full proposals for the 71 National Science Foundation Engines teams that have advanced in the competition are slated for submission by February 2025. The National Science Foundation, by sharing the list of invited teams, intends to foster connections amongst a broader array of potential collaborators, thereby enhancing the impact of their endeavors on the regional landscapes. In celebration of this collaborative spirit, Governor Parson along with expressions of gratitude to the National Science Foundation for their consideration, acknowledged the hard work of Missouri's institutions and their commitment to innovation saying, "We congratulate our higher education institutions, as well as their application partners, on the incredible work that has gotten them to this point," as reported by the Office of Governor. Missouri now eagerly awaits the final outcomes of this prestigious competition, hopeful that the state's efforts will be duly recognized and financially supported by the National Science Foundation Engines program.
