A coalition led by Case Western Reserve University is giving Cleveland a serious shot in the arm. The group, known as NEO‑SMART, was named one of 12 winners in the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines competition on July 14, 2026, securing an initial $15 million for Northeast Ohio and a chance at as much as $160 million over the next decade. The win positions Cleveland and nearby counties to chase more research dollars, modernize factories and grow skilled jobs tied to advanced materials and smart manufacturing.
According to the National Science Foundation, every winning team will receive $15 million over the first two years. Groups that hit key milestones could ultimately qualify for up to $160 million in total funding. The new class of 12 Engines stretches across 20 states and focuses on technologies ranging from quantum computing to critical minerals, creating a cross-country network of regional innovation hubs.
NEO‑SMART (Northeast Ohio Strengthening Manufacturing for American Resilience through Technology) is anchored at Case Western Reserve and has grown from an initial 50‑partner proposal to a coalition of more than 70 partners across 18 counties, organizers say. A Case Western Reserve University announcement lists manufacturers, workforce organizations and regional development groups among its backers, including MAGNET, Team NEO, Sherwin‑Williams, Goodyear and Lubrizol.
In a statement to Case Western Reserve University, President Eric W. Kaler summed up the effort this way: “The story here is the partnership and teamwork.” University officials said Case Western Reserve will house NEO‑SMART in its early phase while governance shifts to an independent regional board.
Local leaders call it a validation
Regional economic development leaders have treated the NSF decision as both a win and a stamp of approval for years of behind‑the‑scenes coalition building, as well as a chance to overhaul local supply chains. Crain's Cleveland Business reported that the selection ranks among the nation’s largest economic development awards and could speed up projects that bring new manufacturing technologies to scale in Northeast Ohio.
What the NSF program aims to do
The National Science Foundation created the Engines program to build place‑based innovation clusters that connect research, technology translation and workforce development. The agency noted that an earlier Engines cohort started with $135 million in seed funding and ended up drawing more than $2 billion in matching commitments. The foundation has framed the effort as a way to reinforce U.S. supply chains and safeguard technologies viewed as critical to national competitiveness.
What’s next for NEO‑SMART
Over the next two years, NEO‑SMART leaders plan to use the initial NSF funding to launch pilot projects, strengthen workforce pipelines and start moving lab breakthroughs into local factories, regional partners said. Team NEO describes the initiative as the kind of coordinated regional strategy it has pushed for years. Officials say clear progress on job creation and commercialization targets will help determine whether the Engine secures additional federal support.
