The United States’ “NSF Engines” is a large-scale national program designed to build top-tier innovation hubs across the U.S. in critical industries such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology. The program is built around regional “Engines”—collaborative platforms that bring together universities, companies, nonprofits, community organizations, state governments, and local authorities to strategically advance every stage of the innovation cycle, from research and development to demonstration and commercialization.

The following article provides an in-depth explanation of the NSF Engines framework, with a particular focus on how the program aims to strengthen regional technology ecosystems in advanced fields that are increasingly linked to U.S. economic security and national security strategy.