2532380
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
NSF GRID MODERNIZATION ENGINE IN THE CAROLINAS - The significance of modernizing the United States electric grid lies in its direct impact on national security, global economic competitiveness, and the nation’s ability to meet rapidly growing energy demands.
The current grid is aging, increasingly reliant on foreign-manufactured components, and not equipped to support the surge in demand driven by advanced manufacturing, data centers, and widespread electrification.
Data centers alone are projected to account for nearly half of U.S. electricity demand growth, underscoring the urgency of this challenge.
The Carolinas Engine for Grid Modernization (CAROLINAS GRID ENGINE) addresses these fundamental issues by establishing a two-state innovation ecosystem across 36 counties in North and South Carolina to develop, deploy, and manufacture critical grid technologies, while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for essential components such as transformers, circuit breakers, and inverters.
Beyond energy security, the CAROLINAS GRID ENGINE seeks to deliver broad societal benefits.
The project targets the creation of over 10,000 jobs, strengthens domestic supply chains for grid technologies, and accelerates the deployment of critical infrastructure.
Through partnerships with universities, community colleges, and K-12 school systems across the region, the project advances STEM education and builds a pipeline of skilled energy workers.
By convening industry, academia, government, and economic development organizations around shared goals, the CAROLINAS GRID ENGINE seeks to reduce energy-related economic disparities and promote sustained regional prosperity.
Achieving these goals will help America win the AI race and develop manufacturing dominance.
The goals and scope of the CAROLINAS GRID ENGINE center on three interconnected priorities: advancing and de-risking new technologies for transmission, distribution, and generation; creating a thriving, domestic manufacturing ecosystem supported by over 10,000 new jobs; and slashing the time required for new grid technologies to enter the marketplace from 15+ years to 5-7 years.
Achieving these goals will help America win the AI race and develop manufacturing dominance.
The project pursues these goals through a cross-sector partnership ecosystem anchored at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Industry partners are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the region, and major regional utilities are committing substantial co-investment.
Research and development activities span five testbeds operated by leading partners such as Clemson University and Duke Energy.
Key technology areas include grid-edge automation, solid state and hybrid transformers, advanced techniques for nuclear construction, and solutions that enhance grid cybersecurity.
A translational research model guides the movement of innovations from laboratory to marketplace.
Workforce development activities seek to establish new apprenticeship programs, dual-enrollment pathways, and industry-recognized credentials aligned with emerging grid technology occupations.
Taken together, these efforts position the Carolinas region as a national leader in grid modernization, with lasting implications for U.S. energy security and economic competitiveness.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
The current grid is aging, increasingly reliant on foreign-manufactured components, and not equipped to support the surge in demand driven by advanced manufacturing, data centers, and widespread electrification.
Data centers alone are projected to account for nearly half of U.S. electricity demand growth, underscoring the urgency of this challenge.
The Carolinas Engine for Grid Modernization (CAROLINAS GRID ENGINE) addresses these fundamental issues by establishing a two-state innovation ecosystem across 36 counties in North and South Carolina to develop, deploy, and manufacture critical grid technologies, while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for essential components such as transformers, circuit breakers, and inverters.
Beyond energy security, the CAROLINAS GRID ENGINE seeks to deliver broad societal benefits.
The project targets the creation of over 10,000 jobs, strengthens domestic supply chains for grid technologies, and accelerates the deployment of critical infrastructure.
Through partnerships with universities, community colleges, and K-12 school systems across the region, the project advances STEM education and builds a pipeline of skilled energy workers.
By convening industry, academia, government, and economic development organizations around shared goals, the CAROLINAS GRID ENGINE seeks to reduce energy-related economic disparities and promote sustained regional prosperity.
Achieving these goals will help America win the AI race and develop manufacturing dominance.
The goals and scope of the CAROLINAS GRID ENGINE center on three interconnected priorities: advancing and de-risking new technologies for transmission, distribution, and generation; creating a thriving, domestic manufacturing ecosystem supported by over 10,000 new jobs; and slashing the time required for new grid technologies to enter the marketplace from 15+ years to 5-7 years.
Achieving these goals will help America win the AI race and develop manufacturing dominance.
The project pursues these goals through a cross-sector partnership ecosystem anchored at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Industry partners are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the region, and major regional utilities are committing substantial co-investment.
Research and development activities span five testbeds operated by leading partners such as Clemson University and Duke Energy.
Key technology areas include grid-edge automation, solid state and hybrid transformers, advanced techniques for nuclear construction, and solutions that enhance grid cybersecurity.
A translational research model guides the movement of innovations from laboratory to marketplace.
Workforce development activities seek to establish new apprenticeship programs, dual-enrollment pathways, and industry-recognized credentials aligned with emerging grid technology occupations.
Taken together, these efforts position the Carolinas region as a national leader in grid modernization, with lasting implications for U.S. energy security and economic competitiveness.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF REGIONAL INNOVATION ENGINES", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF24565
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Charlotte,
North Carolina
28223-0001
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte was awarded
NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas
Cooperative Agreement 2532380
worth $7,500,000
from National Science Foundation in August 2026 with work to be completed primarily in Charlotte North Carolina United States.
The grant
has a duration of 10 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Regional Innovation Engines.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 7/17/26
Period of Performance
8/1/26
Start Date
7/31/36
End Date
Funding Split
$7.5M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$7.5M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2532380
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
491502 INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEMS
Funding Office
491502 INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEMS
Awardee UEI
JB33DT84JNA5
Awardee CAGE
4B857
Performance District
NC-12
Senators
Thom Tillis
Ted Budd
Ted Budd
Modified: 7/17/26