An innovation engine for the region

A Kansas State University regional partnership has received $1 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines, program.

The partnership — called the Advancing Biosecurity, Biodefense, and Biomanufacturing Technologies project — includes core leaders K-State, Manhattan Area Technical College, BioKansas, K-State Innovation Partners and the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce as well as many regional and industry partners.

The project is among more than 40 unique teams to receive one of the first-ever NSF Engines Development Awards, which help partners collaborate to create economic, societal and technological opportunities for their regions.

“The region of northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri is home to significant activity in the domain of biosecurity, biodefense and biomanufacturing, including academic and government research and the private sector,” said Beth Montelone, principal investigator and senior associate vice president for research at K-State. “Partners in the region aspire to build upon this activity to make northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri a hub of research, education and manufacturing in biosecurity, biodefense and biomanufacturing.”