NSF selects 34 semifinalists for the inaugural NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition

NSF announces the list of semifinalists to transparently encourage teaming, diversity and regional growth

The U.S. National Science Foundation announced 34 semifinalists for the first-ever NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) competition, spanning nearly all key technology areas and societal and economic challenges highlighted in the “ CHIPS and Science Act.” The NSF Engines will be led by universities, nonprofits, businesses and other organizations from across U.S. states and territories. NSF is releasing the list of semifinalists to transparently encourage teaming among diverse organizations, innovation, and regional growth. View details and a  map of the NSF Engines semifinalists  on the NSF website.

The NSF Engines program is anticipated to be transformational for the nation, ensuring the U.S. remains globally competitive in key technology areas for decades to come. Each NSF Engine could receive up to $160 million over 10 years; actual amounts will be subject to a given NSF Engine’s status and overall progress, as assessed annually. NSF anticipates announcing the final list of NSF Engines awards this fall, with each awardee initially receiving about $15 million for the first two years.

“Each of these NSF Engines semifinalists represents an emerging hub of innovation and lends their talents and resources to form the fabric of NSF’s vision to create opportunities everywhere and enable innovation anywhere,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “These teams will spring ideas, talent, pathways and resources to create vibrant innovation ecosystems all across our nation.”

NSF initially received  188 concept outlines for NSF Engines.  Following a proposers’ day and other activities that encouraged teaming, NSF has now completed initial merit review of proposals, narrowing to the 34 semifinalists .  During the next stage, NSF will interview each team to assess their proposed leadership’s ability to rapidly mobilize in the first two years; their competitive advantages; and budget and resources for their planned research and development, translation and workforce development efforts. Those selected to move to the final round in July will be interviewed in person to assess risks and committed resources, as well as the team’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Semifinalists not selected to receive an NSF Engine award may be considered for an NSF Engine Development Award of up to $1 million over two years. These planning awards will help teams build their initial ecosystems, cultivate the necessary partnerships and potentially compete for additional funding, including through future NSF Engines competitions. Learn more about the review process by reading the  funding opportunity.

Launched by NSF’s new Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) and authorized by the “CHIPS and Science Act,” the NSF Engines program uniquely harnesses the nation’s science and technology research and development enterprise and regional-level resources. NSF Engines aspire to catalyze robust partnerships to positively impact the economy within a geographic region, address societal challenges, advance national competitiveness and create local, high-wage jobs across the country.

“Today’s announcement builds upon the  44 NSF Engines Development Awards  that we announced in early May,” noted Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for TIP. “Over the next two years, those awards will help organizations create connections and develop their local innovation ecosystems to prepare strong proposals for becoming future NSF Engines. Collectively, the NSF Engines Development Awards and today’s NSF Engines semifinalists will ensure the U.S. harnesses the geography of innovation and remains in the vanguard of competitiveness well into the future.”

More information about the NSF Engines program can be found on the  NSF Engines program website.

Georgia Life Sciences Joins National Opposition to “Most Favored Nation” Drug Pricing Proposal Ahead of Potential Executive Order

By Maria Thacker Goethe • May 8, 2025
Disclaimer: This statement was published on May 9, 2025, at 12:11 PM and is subject to change as the administration moves forward with policy decisions. -- In a rapidly developing situation, the White House is poised to take executive action on prescription drug pricing that could significantly impact the biopharmaceutical industry. Early next week, the president is expected to sign an executive order directing administration officials to pursue a "Most Favored Nation" initiative, which would tie U.S. government drug payments to lower prices paid abroad, according to sources familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. This executive order would bypass the legislative discussions previously reported in Congress, where Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee had been considering similar measures as potential spending cuts. While the plan hasn't been finalized and could still change as officials work through specifics, the move signals the administration's intent to act quickly on drug pricing. If enacted, the MFN policy could be paired with other proposed changes, such as increasing the 23.1% Medicaid base rebate. Reports suggest that manufacturers might be required to pay either the MFN price or the higher rebate—whichever yields the lowest cost for the government. This policy would create severe financial pressure on drug developers, particularly small and mid-size companies that are essential to Georgia’s thriving life sciences ecosystem. Georgia is home to a growing network of biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical technology firms—many of which are advancing groundbreaking treatments for rare diseases, pediatric conditions, and underserved populations. These companies often operate with little commercial revenue and rely on a balanced, predictable pricing framework to continue investing in innovation. In 2023, pharmaceutical companies provided $54 billion in Medicaid rebates nationally, helping keep drug spending to just 5.9% of total Medicaid expenditures . The current system works by ensuring broad patient access to medicine while enabling companies to reinvest in research and development. Drastic changes such as MFN pricing would upend this balance and threaten job creation and investment in states like Georgia. Moreover, because Medicaid rebate amounts are tied to 340B discount calculations, the impact would extend far beyond Medicaid—further increasing costs in the already-burdened 340B program. In response, Georgia Life Sciences has joined a coalition of more than 40 state bioscience associations, signing onto a letter from the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) opposing any MFN or foreign reference pricing schemes. The letter highlights the harm such policies would inflict on rare disease patients, pediatric populations, and emerging biotechnology companies. “Rather than penalizing innovative companies that develop treatments for vulnerable patients, we should work together to ensure the U.S. maintains its strategic leadership in biopharmaceutical innovation and that American patients have access to the best treatments available.” — CSBA Letter, May 2025 Georgia Life Sciences is actively monitoring the situation and preparing to advocate on behalf of Georgia’s life sciences community.

Opinion: Georgia's Congressional delegation can lead the way on correcting 'pill penalty'

By Sheran Brown • May 1, 2025
Opinion: Georgia's Congressional delegation can lead the way on correcting 'pill penalty'  Maria Thacker Goethe President and CEO, Georgia Life Sciences: May 1, 2025 EPIC Act offers commonsense fix to 'pill penalty' problem

Study Maps Economic Fallout of NIH Cuts in Georgia

By Maria Thacker Goethe • April 18, 2025
The Science & Community Impacts Mapping Project (SCIMaP) shows how proposed federal funding cuts lead to reduced economic activity and job losses nationwide.
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