Billions in funding from the CHIPS & Science Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and American Rescue Plan–known as the Investing in America suite of bills– have begun to flow into communities.
Over the next two years, it will be essential that state and local governments, industry, higher education institutions, workforce entities, labor unions, and the media effectively track and evaluate the flow of funding and the activities those funds are catalyzing.
A new tool released by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Directorate aims to help illuminate just that. The interactive map shows the 198 signature place-based investments, highlighting the geographic diversity and intentional layering of investments across the two agencies.
The map highlights the CHIPS Act's two signature regional technology and innovation investments: The NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines and the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs or “TechHubs” program funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Combined, these investments represent one of the most significant investments in science- and technology-based economic development since Abraham Lincoln passed the Morrill Act of 1862 at the height of the Civil War and created land-grant universities in all 50 states.
In January, the NSF announced the inaugural 10 NSF Regional Innovation Engines, and this July, EDA named 12 Tech Hubs, which will receive a combined more than $650 million to support their efforts.
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