CenterState CEO and Partners Seek National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines Grant

CenterState CEO has submitted a proposal to the National Science Foundation for a $160 million grant as part of their Regional Innovation Engines program. If secured, this would be the third largest investment in the region’s economic development ecosystem behind the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and Micron Technology’s Community Investment Framework.

Founding members on the application are: Syracuse University, Cornell University, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, SUNY Upstate Medical University, SUNY Educational Opportunities Center, SUNY Oswego, Le Moyne College, Onondaga Community College, Syracuse City School District, Allyn Family Foundation, Armory Square Ventures, the City of Syracuse, the City of Ithaca, JMA Wireless, Micron Technology, INFICON, Inc., Carrier and Saab.

If selected, this award would invest significant federal funding toward the proposed “CenterState NY Smart and Equitable Communities Innovation Engine” to help better connect the region’s world-class research capabilities and assets to real community challenges currently being experienced in the region (such as air quality around I-81 and vacant properties). The vision of the CenterState NY Smart and Equitable Communities Innovation Engine is to develop and bring to market innovations that lead to smarter, healthier, more efficient, and decarbonized communities. Grounded in an equity-based value chain model, the CenterState NY Innovation Engine aims to drive advancements in smart and interconnected communities that tangibly enhance people’s lives, the economy, and the environment. The funding would bring more flexible capital to the workforce system to pilot work train programs with a growing list of regional workforce partners; and it would invest targeted resources in the region’s startup ecosystem to address barriers to access and participation for XBE founders.

The awards will be announced this summer.