A regional innovation consortium led by West Virginia University along with the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and the United States Research Impact Alliance has been selected as a semifinalist for the prestigious National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines $160 million funding opportunity aimed at driving economic transformation through technological innovation.
The Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure Consortium or RETI, a multi-institutional and multi-sector collaboration, was named one of an elite group of 29 semifinalists nationwide and will now advance to the next stage of evaluation by NSF review teams.
If selected for full funding, RETI could secure up to $160 million to accelerate its mission of strengthening the energy grid and revitalizing industry in West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.
“RETI is a bold and necessary step toward securing the future of American manufacturing and energy resilience,” said Erienne Olesh, NSF Engines development award principal investigator and executive director of the WVU Office of Innovation and Commercialization.
“By leveraging the unique strengths of WVU, Pitt and CMU, and uniting more than 60 public and private sector partners, we are building the foundation for long-term economic growth and national leadership in advanced energy technologies.”
With more than $160 million in additional committed partner support, RETI aims to spur over $1 billion in economic impact, support the creation of more than 21,000 jobs and launch over 150 startups across the region.
The initiative is focused on addressing urgent national and regional challenges, including rising industrial energy demands, aging grid infrastructure and the need for energy-efficient manufacturing solutions.
The consortium will focus on technology innovation in areas such as smart grid management, cyber-secure controls, grid-scale energy storage, and low-emission manufacturing processes — including hydrogen-based steelmaking and advanced chemical production techniques.
“This initiative represents a transformational opportunity to modernize our grid and bring next-generation energy solutions to the industries that power our economy,” said Rob Cunningham, vice chancellor for research infrastructure at Pitt.
“We are proud to collaborate with regional leaders to unlock new pathways for innovation, workforce development, and sustainable growth.”
RETI’s impact is expected to extend beyond industry, with efforts to improve grid reliability in rural communities, promote workforce development, and inform national energy policy through its dedicated policy council.
“This recognition by the NSF reflects the urgency and promise of RETI’s mission,” said Valerie Karplus, associate director of CMU’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and a professor of engineering and public policy.
“We are committed to driving inclusive economic resilience through world-class research and regional collaboration.”
Final funding decisions from the NSF are expected in the coming months.