The NSF RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine has launched with a mission to strengthen rural economies across Iowa and Nebraska through advanced biomanufacturing.
Led by Iowa State University, RuralSTAMINA received an initial $15 million award from the National Science Foundation, with the potential for up to $160 million over 10 years. The initiative brings together more than 70 public and private partners to transform agricultural and biological resources into high-value products, support commercialization, expand workforce opportunities, and create competitive jobs.
RuralSTAMINA will focus on products such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, coatings, chemicals, and advanced materials while supporting agricultural producers and small and medium-sized manufacturers. By connecting researchers with industry, startups, workforce organizations and government partners, the Engine will help move new technologies from research into scalable manufacturing.
Read Iowa State’s announcement about the NSF funding.
Read additional coverage from the Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Nigel Reuel, formerly Associate Director for Research and Technology Transfer for the Iowa NSF EPSCoR program, has begun serving as RuralSTAMINA’s Chief Technology Officer. His previous work with the Chemurgy 2.0 initiative helped build collaborations among state research institutions and industry partners.
“Our top priority in the Engine is to make our region the go-to center of knowledge and resources for ventures seeking to scale up and manufacture products from biological feedstocks,” Reuel said.
Marcy Seavey of the University of Northern Iowa will take Reuel’s place as Associate Director for Research and Technology Transfer with the Iowa NSF EPSCoR program.
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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No.2242763