An Iowa State University-led research initiative has won a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines award. The project, known as RuralSTAMINA, is one of 12 selected nationwide.
RuralSTAMINA stands for Ascending Rural communities through Sustainable, Transformative, Advanced Manufacturing Innovations and Alliances. It focuses on creating value-added products through biomass conversion and biomanufacturing. The award provides $15 million over two years, with up to $160 million available over 10 years for engines that meet research milestones.
David Cook, Iowa State University president, said innovation and collaboration are core to the university’s identity. He called the award a testament to those strengths and a way of serving Iowa’s rural communities.
The initiative will operate across Iowa and Nebraska. It aims to support agricultural producers and small and medium-sized manufacturers. Biomass conversion has traditionally focused on low-cost, high-volume fuels. RuralSTAMINA will instead target high-value specialty products, including coatings, pesticides, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, biologics, and animal vaccines.
More than 70 public and private partners across both states are already involved. Core partners include the University of Iowa, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Southeast Community College, Des Moines Area Community College, BioConnect Iowa, the Iowa Biotechnology Association, and Invest Nebraska.
Peter Dorhout, Iowa State’s vice president for research and the project’s principal investigator, said the effort will help turn agricultural production into value-added products and stimulate rural economic growth.
Brian Stone, NSF director, said the investment will transform agricultural resources into new products, create jobs, and boost economic stability across the Midwest.
Barb Wilson, University of Iowa president, and Katherine Ankerson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln interim chancellor, both emphasized the initiative’s role in strengthening regional communities and workforce development.
The NSF Engines program began with more than 300 letters of intent from every U.S. state and territory. NSF narrowed the field to 71 projects and then 15 finalists.
