FSU InSPIRE Invited to Submit Grant Proposal from NSF Engines
The Florida Advanced Manufacturing Engine (FLAME) is the first initiative of its kind under the Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, & Education
PANAMA CITY, FL – The Florida State University Institute of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, & Education (InSPIRE) was given the green light to submit its strategic plans for the development and implementation of a manufacturing ecosystem designed to invigorate the Northwest Florida region. The pre-proposal, titled FLAME, is fully aligned with the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program goals to accelerate technology development, develop societal solutions, and drive economic growth.
With a focus on the eight counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, and Wakulla, FLAME intends to leverage the infrastructure established by InSPIRE to cultivate an industry-leading consortium around advanced manufacturing for aerospace and energy. FLAME would also help train and retain a high-quality workforce in the Florida Panhandle by providing inclusive pathways to long-term careers through the creation of high paying jobs.
“Transforming ground-breaking research from the innovative idea stage through testing and prototype development and into real-world products and solutions is a cornerstone upon which InSPIRE is built,” said FSU InSPIRE Executive Director, Farrukh S. Alvi, PhD who also serves as Principal Investigator (PI) for FLAME. “FLAME would further strengthen this foundation to accelerate next generation manufacturing technologies and stimulate economic development so our local communities, customers, partners, and our students can truly thrive.”
The pre-proposal effort was led by partners, InSPIRE and the Applied Science and Technology Research Organization of America (ASTRO America), an esteemed research center and think tank established to advance the public interest through manufacturing technology and policy. ASTRO America brings major corporations, industry leaders and government agencies together to enhance supply chain resilience through the adoption of metal additive manufacturing.
“We’ve led proposal efforts with NSF Engines in the past and believe InSPIRE is ideally suited to take the lead on FLAME given FSU’s strong regional presence and deep expertise in research, engineering and innovation-driven institutes,” said ASTRO America President and Co-PI for FLAME, Neal Orringer. “We’ve been working together for more than a year now and are thrilled with the momentum we’re building as an integrated team.”
NSF Engines is a placed-based innovation funding initiative that supports the crucial areas of research, entrepreneurship, workforce development, community engagement, and ecosystem building—all key focus areas of FSU InSPIRE. Programs such as FLAME must be clearly rooted in accelerating technology innovation, cultivating corporate investment, nurturing the growth of new industries, and fostering high-skilled, high-wage employment opportunities. NSF Engines retains its strong regional efforts to spur new business and economic growth in areas crucial to American competitiveness.
FLAME marks FSU InSPIRE and ASTRO America’s first extramural grant opportunity. The NSF Engines program offers up to $160 million over ten years to serve local communities and generate a transformative economic impact. FLAME will focus on growing career pathways related to advanced manufacturing, aviation, and aerospace.
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About InSPIRE
Florida State University’s Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research and Education launched with an initial grant from Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. InSPIRE allows FSU to better fuel the regional innovation economy and will serve as a beacon to attract investment and opportunity to the region. The InSPIRE initiative includes not only applied research, advanced manufacturing and aerospace testing and prototyping facilities but also funds dedicated to increasing the number of engineering graduates. InSPIRE is also committed to STEM outreach and development of K-20 students and teachers to build the workforce talent needed to serve the high-speed aerodynamics and advanced manufacturing industry.
About ASTRO America
The Applied Science and Technology Research Organization of America (ASTRO America) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, non-partisan Research Institute and Think Tank. It was established in 2018 to advance the public interest through manufacturing technology and policy. Led by manufacturing professionals with broad public and private sector experience, ASTRO America supports collaborations by government agencies and companies to address supply chain challenges in highly regulated industries, including aerospace and defense.
About Triumph Gulf Coast Inc.
Triumph Gulf Coast Inc. is a nonprofit that oversees most of the funds recovered by the Florida attorney general for economic damages to the state from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Triumph is required to administer the funds to projects in the eight counties that were disproportionately affected by the oil spill — Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, and Wakulla.