On Thursday, the U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program announced that the BRIDGES Engine proposal has advanced as a finalist in the program. The BRIDGES Engine is led by the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, with co-leads at Auburn University and the University of Tennessee.

Of the more than 300 entries that began the process, the BRIDGES Engine proposal was one of 29 teams that advanced to the semifinalist round of the competition. In that round, the BRIDGES team participated in a virtual project interview with the NSF Review Team. Following that interview, BRIDGES is now one of just 15 teams selected as finalists.

The BRIDGES Leadership Team has been building a growing regional coalition for over two years. BRIDGES seeks to revitalize rural economies across the southeastern U.S. by growing specially developed agricultural grasses on low productivity farmland and transforming them into high-demand products, such as compostable packaging, car parts, and construction materials.

“Moving forward to the final round in the competition is a recognition of the dedication and innovation of the team behind BRIDGES, a coalition of more than 80 partners across industry, academia, and communities,” said Sam Jackson, PhD, HudsonAlpha’s director for the BRIDGES Engine. “NSF recognizes the strength of the plans we have proposed to drive lasting economic development across rural Alabama and Tennessee.”

The BRIDGES Engine seeks to create economic impact in rural communities by jumpstarting biomanufacturing from agricultural materials in key sectors like automotive, construction materials, and packaging.

“The BRIDGES Engine is a tremendous opportunity to further strengthen our rural economies by focusing the latest technological advancements from agricultural and manufacturing sectors to benefit critically important industries in the region,” said Steve Taylor, PhD, Auburn University senior vice president for research and economic development.

Expanding this initiative promises to build new industries, create high-quality jobs and unlock new revenue streams for farmers and local communities.

“The University of Tennessee is excited to work with HudsonAlpha and Auburn University on this CBS endeavor,” said Keith Carver, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the UT Institute of Agriculture. “The research, teaching and outreach mission of UT and Auburn, both land-grant universities, aligns perfectly with the goals of the economic engine. Together, we can make this a positive, transformative change for the region.”

During the final stage of the competition, NSF will conduct a two-day site visit to the region to meet the BRIDGES team, review plans for use-inspired research and regional economic impact, and see the support the Engine has in the region. NSF anticipates announcing the teams that earn an NSF Innovation Engine award in 2026.

To date, the NSF Engines program has seen a tenfold return on taxpayers’ dollars. An initial investment of $135 million across nine NSF Engines has garnered more than $1 billion in matching commitments from private industry, philanthropy, and state and local governments. This next round of NSF Engines will soon follow the initial investments, creating new innovation ecosystems across the U.S. The NSF Engines are intended to help ensure the U.S. remains globally competitive in key technology areas for decades to come.