2532496
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
NSF BRIDGES ENGINE in Alabama and Tennessee - The significance of the Biobased Rural Innovation for Domestic Growth and Economic Security (BRIDGES) engine is its potential to transform rural economies by advancing domestic biobased manufacturing using locally grown resources.
The project will strengthen both agriculture and manufacturing by integrating low-input perennial grasses, such as Miscanthus and switchgrass, into advanced manufacturing systems that can supply materials and products for the automotive, construction materials, and packaging sectors.
By connecting local production with domestic manufacturing, BRIDGES addresses national priorities, including revitalizing rural prosperity, improving the resiliency of domestic supply chains, and strengthening the U.S. agricultural enterprise.
The effort is designed to foster new industries, support job creation, and expand workforce development opportunities in rural communities across Alabama and Tennessee while also stimulating entrepreneurship and contributing to long-term national prosperity.
The project's importance extends beyond traditional economic outcomes and will create lasting impacts through innovations that engage farmers, researchers, industry, and communities.
The goals and scope of the project encompass the creation of a multidisciplinary innovation ecosystem that connects agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology to accelerate the commercialization of new biobased products.
The project will combine use-inspired research with technology development and capacity-building across three targeted industries: automotive, construction materials, and packaging.
The project will employ participatory and data-driven approaches, including digital twins and AI-enabled decision-support systems, to optimize crop design, manufacturing efficiency, and supply-chain performance.
Evaluation methods will apply mixed quantitative and qualitative analyses to track and measure progress toward strategic objectives and ensure adaptivity and long-term impacts.
By coupling scientific advancement with community engagement and education, BRIDGES will advance national competitiveness in biobased manufacturing, enhance workforce readiness, and provide a replicable model for regional innovation-led growth.
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 project will strengthen both agriculture and manufacturing by integrating low-input perennial grasses, such as Miscanthus and switchgrass, into advanced manufacturing systems that can supply materials and products for the automotive, construction materials, and packaging sectors.
By connecting local production with domestic manufacturing, BRIDGES addresses national priorities, including revitalizing rural prosperity, improving the resiliency of domestic supply chains, and strengthening the U.S. agricultural enterprise.
The effort is designed to foster new industries, support job creation, and expand workforce development opportunities in rural communities across Alabama and Tennessee while also stimulating entrepreneurship and contributing to long-term national prosperity.
The project's importance extends beyond traditional economic outcomes and will create lasting impacts through innovations that engage farmers, researchers, industry, and communities.
The goals and scope of the project encompass the creation of a multidisciplinary innovation ecosystem that connects agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology to accelerate the commercialization of new biobased products.
The project will combine use-inspired research with technology development and capacity-building across three targeted industries: automotive, construction materials, and packaging.
The project will employ participatory and data-driven approaches, including digital twins and AI-enabled decision-support systems, to optimize crop design, manufacturing efficiency, and supply-chain performance.
Evaluation methods will apply mixed quantitative and qualitative analyses to track and measure progress toward strategic objectives and ensure adaptivity and long-term impacts.
By coupling scientific advancement with community engagement and education, BRIDGES will advance national competitiveness in biobased manufacturing, enhance workforce readiness, and provide a replicable model for regional innovation-led growth.
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 Agency
Place of Performance
Huntsville,
Alabama
35806-2908
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Hudsonalpha Institute For Biotechnology was awarded
BioBased Rural Innovation: Transforming Rural Economies Domestic Growth
Cooperative Agreement 2532496
worth $7,494,144
from in August 2026 with work to be completed primarily in Huntsville Alabama 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 9/11/26
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
Subgrant Awards
Disclosed subgrants for 2532496
Transaction History
Modifications to 2532496
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2532496
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Private Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
491502 INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEMS
Funding Office
491502 INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEMS
Awardee UEI
M3GAQBN4BWH6
Awardee CAGE
4YJ29
Performance District
AL-05
Senators
Tommy Tuberville
Katie Britt
Katie Britt
Modified: 9/11/26