University of Memphis Convenes NSF Regional Innovation Engine Proposal Team

UofM brings together community partners to cultivate innovation culture for Phase 2 grants

The University of Memphis, building on their success with of the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge Phase 1 award for Digital Delta as well as their partnership with Workforce MidSouth in securing the EDA Good Jobs Challenge, has convened a team to pursue the NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition. The type 2 grants from NSF will award $160M to a select group of applicants who are building sustainable pathways for the translation of science and research to entrepreneurship success in regions of the country not typically seen as hubs for innovation.

The INTEGRIT-E (Innovation Through Entrepreneurship Guided by Research, Industry, Technology, and Equity) Engine includes partners in 43 counties in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi: seven community colleges, 10 university partners including seven HBCUs, nine entrepreneurial organizations, six national foundations and nonprofits, 18 civic organizations, and at least 13 corporate and for-profit partners. 

The Engine members convened on August 31st in Cleveland, MS to further cultivate the ecosystem in the region and create a culture of innovation that helps to change the narrative about the Delta region and strengthen our national reputation as a hub for deep science and tech entrepreneurship.

For more information on this initiative, contact Dr. Cody Behles at cbehles@memphis.edu.