Sunflower State News

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today congratulated Kansas State University for being awarded $1 million from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program for the Advancing Biosecurity, Biodefense, and Biomanufacturing project.

Established through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines project selected 44 teams including universities, nonprofits, businesses and other organizations across the U.S. states and territories to receive a $1 million award. These awards will help organizations create connections and develop their local innovation ecosystem within two years to prepare a strong proposal for becoming a future NSF Engine, where they will have the opportunity to receive up to $160 million. 

“Congratulations to K-State University and their team for winning this award and building on the many new significant research and development projects in the Manhattan region,” said Sen. Moran. “This award is part of the national effort created by the CHIPS and Science Act to geographically rebalance federal research and development to universities across the country. K-State has demonstrated that participation in this new program will create jobs, strengthen our nation’s global competitiveness and encourage innovation.”

"These NSF Engines Development Awards lay the foundation for emerging hubs of innovation and potential future NSF Engines," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "These awardees are part of the fabric of NSF's vision to create opportunities everywhere and enable innovation anywhere. They will build robust regional partnerships rooted in scientific and technological innovation in every part of our nation."

"This will set up a path for more companies to locate and expand in the Greater Manhattan region, creating new jobs, attracting talent and investing in our communities," said Daryn Soldan, director of economic development, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce.

"The region of northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri is home to significant activity in the domain of biosecurity, biodefense and biomanufacturing, including academic and government research and the private sector," said Beth Montelone, senior associate vice president for research at K-State. "Partners in the region aspire to build upon this activity to make northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri a hub of research, education and manufacturing in biosecurity, biodefense and biomanufacturing."

"Over the next two years, K-State Innovation Partners looks forward to supporting the project by facilitating collaboration among the university, industry and communities through industry engagement, technology commercialization and economic development," said Rebecca Robinson, president and CEO of K-State Innovation Partners.

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