NSF bridges engine in alabama and tennessee

The National Science Foundation awarded HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology a $7.494 million cooperative agreement on August 1, 2026, under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) to establish the Biobased Rural Innovation for Domestic Growth and Economic Security (BRIDGES) Engine in Alabama and Tennessee.

The award funds development of a multidisciplinary innovation ecosystem that integrates low-input perennial grasses—switchgrass and Miscanthus xgiganteus—into advanced manufacturing systems supplying the automotive, construction materials, and packaging sectors. The project combines use-inspired research, technology development, and capacity-building across three targeted industries using digital twins and AI-enabled decision-support systems to optimize crop design, manufacturing efficiency, and supply-chain performance. Work is performed in Huntsville, Alabama over a ten-year period of performance through July 31, 2036.

The University of Illinois leads evaluation and scale-up of new Miscanthus xgiganteus biomass selections from its breeding program for the Southeast. North Carolina State University develops advanced assessment tools for techno-economic analysis, life cycle evaluation, and supply chain decision support systems to accelerate establishment of bio-product facilities across the Southeast. The University of Texas at Austin develops high-throughput tissue composition analyses of switchgrass and Miscanthus using near-infrared spectroscopy methods, including calibration models for prediction of ash and silica content. The University of Georgia Research Foundation conducts initial seed increase nurseries and field evaluation trials to scale up eight advanced switchgrass populations and coordinates evaluation of Miscanthus selections at multiple locations in Georgia and Alabama. Alabama A & M University leads bioenergy crop evaluation at its Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station in Hazel Green, Alabama, under the supervision of Dr. Xianyan Kuang. Tennessee State University conducts listening sessions throughout Tennessee to engage farmers, develops and implements an online survey on switchgrass and Miscanthus production through farmer networks, and hosts a field day for 100 farmers in Central Tennessee. North Carolina A&T State University establishes a K-12 Engage curriculum development site hosting six high school teachers over the first two years to develop grade-appropriate bioeconomy curriculum aligned with workforce development needs.

Abstract

The significance of the biobased rural innovation for domestic growth and economic security (bridges) engine is its potential to transform rural economies by advancing domestic biobased manufacturing using locally grown resources. The project will strengthen both agriculture and manufacturing by integrating low-input perennial grasses, such as miscanthus and switchgrass, into advanced manufacturing systems that can supply materials and products for the automotive, construction materials, and packaging sectors. By connecting local production with domestic manufacturing, bridges addresses national priorities, including revitalizing rural prosperity, improving the resiliency of domestic supply chains, and strengthening the U.S. Agricultural enterprise. The effort is designed to foster new industries, support job creation, and expand workforce development opportunities in rural communities across alabama and tennessee while also stimulating entrepreneurship and contributing to long-term national prosperity. The project?s importance extends beyond traditional economic outcomes and will create lasting impacts through innovations that engage farmers, researchers, industry, and communities. The goals and scope of the project encompass the creation of a multidisciplinary innovation?ecosystem?that connects agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology to accelerate the commercialization of new biobased products. The project will?combine?use-inspired research?with?technology development and capacity-building?across?three?targeted industries:?automotive, construction?materials, and packaging. The project will employ participatory and data-driven approaches, including digital twins?and AI-enabled decision-support systems, to?optimize?crop design, manufacturing efficiency, and?supply-chain performance. Evaluation methods will apply mixed quantitative and qualitative analyses to?track and?measure progress toward strategic?objectives?and ensure adaptivity and long-term impacts. By coupling scientific advancement with community engagement and education,?bridges will?advance national competitiveness in biobased manufacturing, enhance workforce readiness, and?provide?a replicable?model?for regional innovation-led growth.? This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.