On Sept. 28, 2023, through the Future Manufacturing program, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced targeted investments in the future of manufacturing research and helps grow the manufacturing workforce. It was one of several NSF programs that support advanced manufacturing.

The Future Manufacturing program’s purpose was to discover manufacturing solutions that overcome current scientific, technological, educational, economic, and social barriers to provide new manufacturing capabilities for U.S. companies. This was the fourth year of NSF investment in Future Manufacturing, totaling more than $137 million.

Targeted NSF investments in fundamental research and education in manufacturing will catalyze new manufacturing capabilities that do not exist today. The 21 awards for 2023 invest over $35 million across 40 institutions in 25 states, including six Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research jurisdictions.