NSF Engines: Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine
The region of CO-WY is well-positioned to develop innovative solutions for environmental monitoring, measurement, verification, and prediction. These solutions will empower citizens, communities, governments, and industry to build climate-resilient communities.
“Extreme weather events cost the US $150 billion in 2023, due to direct impacts such as infrastructure damage, worker injuries and agricultural losses”
The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced that the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine is an inaugural NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines). The CO-WY Engine will initially receive up to $15 million for the next two years. Through the NSF Engines program, NSF aims to expand the frontiers of technology and innovation, spur economic growth across the nation, and transform entire geographic regions into world-leading hubs of innovation.
The CO-WY Engine is a groundbreaking initiative, set to catalyze a series of significant outcomes that will reshape the landscape of climate technology and regional economic development in Colorado and Wyoming. The first major outcome is the development and commercialization of advanced climate-resilient technologies. These technologies - spanning from environmental monitoring to predictive analytics - aim to empower communities, governments, and industries to effectively navigate and adapt to the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.
By focusing on innovative solutions in areas like wildfire mitigation, water resource management, sustainable agriculture and adaptation to extreme weather events, the CO-WY Climate Resilience Engine is poised to revolutionize how we understand, predict and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The CO-WY Climate Resilience Engine is set to have a profound impact on workforce development and community engagement, and places a strong emphasis on inclusive growth, ensuring that these economic benefits reach across diverse communities.
Partnerships that sustain the Engine’s activities include aligning with our region’s assets: federal laboratories, research universities, policymakers/government offices/economic incentives, tribal communities, workforce centers, community colleges, and industry and corporate partners.
We know the threats climate change-accelerated aridification poses to the U.S. and the world. Our work is driven by the needs of community stakeholders.
We have the means to turn data into action — bringing innovative solutions to market to address the most pressing needs of our diverse communities.
Grow the labor force equitably and inclusively through apprentices, internships, and work-based learning programs, focusing on recruitment and retention from rural communities and those traditionally underrepresented.
Partnering with diverse and underserved communities to create high-impact jobs and sustainable economic growth.
Our partners in innovation
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