A WiSys-led coalition of over 60 partners has been selected as one of 29 semifinalists to advance in the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engine (NSF Engine) program.
The coalition, Forward Agriculture, would position Wisconsin as a national leader in technologies that make agriculture more resilient for decades to come. The key objective of this initiative is to create a thriving circular bioeconomy – where agricultural waste and byproducts are converted into new revenue streams for farmers and food processors and valuable products for consumers. The coalition aims to accomplish this by harnessing Wisconsin’s unique strengths: a large and diverse agricultural sector, world-class research and educational institutions, and a robust food processing and manufacturing industry.
“We are the Dairy State, and agriculture is central to Wisconsin’s economy. We must innovate and find new areas to support the farming industry, to make sure the people who feed us can stay in business as there continues to be incredible pressure on farmers across the country. The good news is that we have some of the leading organizations in the country that can translate this kind of work to make Forward Agriculture a success,” said Arjun Sanga, WiSys President. “And with the world-class Universities of Wisconsin, we have the top departments, scientists, and innovators discovering new opportunities in these areas. Wisconsin is absolutely the right place to double down and invest in agricultural innovation.”
The NSF Engines program aims to mobilize and empower innovation ecosystems across the United States for regional programs that solve critical challenges through multi-sector collaboration. The grant would provide long-term funding of up to $160 million over 10 years to catalyze the growth and advancement of an industry important to the region.