UM System receives $160 million for critical materials crossroads engine

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri System crucial materials crossroads was picked by the U.S. National Science Foundation to receive $160 million in funding, according to a Tuesday release from the university.

The grant is the largest award in the state’s higher-education history, the release says.

“NSF Engines investments in critical technologies and future industries will transform America’s innovation infrastructure for decades to come," acting NSF director Brian Stone was quoted in the release. “This NSF Critical Materials Crossroads Engine will be a substantial resource in the Midwest to onshore and sustain production capacity for critical minerals used across the transportation, energy, communication and national security sectors.”

The Critical Materials Crossroads was started at the UM System in 2022 and has more than 260 partners spanning higher education, industry, entrepreneurship, government and community workforce development organizations in Missouri and Kansas, the release says

“Critical Materials Crossroads is expected to create approximately 10,000 jobs by 2036 across manufacturing, research and development, logistics, engineering, construction and workforce training that will generate real economic growth for Missouri and the broader region,” the release says.