Congressman Cleaver Celebrates UMKC-Led Critical Materials Crossroads Engine Selection for $160 Million NSF Award

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), celebrates the National Science Foundation's selection of the University of Missouri-Kansas City-led Critical Materials Crossroads Engine as one of just twelve new NSF Regional Innovation Engines nationwide.

The designation makes the Kansas City region eligible to receive up to $160 million over the next decade, positioning Missouri's Fifth Congressional District as a national hub for critical materials research, advanced manufacturing, workforce development, and supply chain innovation.

"Today's announcement proves that the future of American innovation is being built right here in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District," said Congressman Cleaver. "UMKC's designation as an NSF Regional Innovation Engine reflects the extraordinary talent and collaboration that define our community. This investment will strengthen our economy, create good-paying jobs, and ensure our region continues to lead in developing the critical technologies of tomorrow. I congratulate Chancellor Agrawal, UMKC, and all of the partners who helped make this achievement possible. Today, we are reminded that our greatest successes come when there's collaboration towards a shared vision. That's the Kansas City way, and today the nation is taking notice."

The UMKC-led consortium includes more than 260 partners across Missouri and Kansas spanning higher education, industry, entrepreneurship, government, and workforce development. The initiative is expected to support approximately 10,000 jobs by 2036 while generating as much as $40 billion in economic output across the region.

Critical Materials Crossroads will help establish the Kansas City region as a national leader in developing and commercializing the advanced materials used in technologies ranging from semiconductors and batteries to medical devices, aerospace, and national defense.

Earlier this year, Rep. Cleaver joined a bipartisan, bistate delegation from Missouri and Kansas in sending a letter to the Acting Director of the National Science Foundation advocating for UMKC's selection as a Regional Innovation Engine.

Rep. Cleaver has long supported robust federal investment in research, innovation, and higher education as drivers of economic growth and American competitiveness. The Congressman congratulates UMKC and its regional partners on this landmark achievement and looks forward to seeing the lasting economic opportunities this investment will create for Missouri's Fifth District.

The 12 newest NSF Engines are:

• NSF BRIDGES Engine in Alabama and Tennessee, led by the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology.
• NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine in the Kansas City Region, led by the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
• NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine in Alaska, led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
• NSF FAST Engine in Oregon, led by Oregon State University.
• NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas, led by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
• NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana, led by Indiana University.
• NSF NEO-SMART Engine in Northeast Ohio, led by Case Western Reserve University with more than 70 regional partners.
• NSF Quantum Technologies Engine in Connecticut, led by the University of Connecticut.
• NSF RETI Engine in West Virginia and western Pennsylvania, led by West Virginia University in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and the U.S. Research Impact Alliance.
• NSF Rural STAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine in Iowa and Nebraska, led by Iowa State University.
• NSF Seafood Engine in New England, led by the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems.
• NSF STELLAR Engine in the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region of New York, led by the University of Rochester.

To learn more about these NSF Engines, visit the NSF Engines Cohort 2 webpage.

View a map of these NSF Engines.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.