NSF Engines Development Award: Advancing industrial hemp technologies (PA, NY)

这个区域创新引擎发展奖的重点是建立在基因研究，生物工程，国内繁殖，培养和加工，将支持创新的生物基产品的制造和部署应用于绿色建筑，包装，食品，营养保健品，纺织品，可再生能源和土地整治的宾夕法尼亚州植物为基础的生态系统的发展。在全球对减少温室气体、消除塑料废物、提高粮食安全和改善土壤健康所需的生物可再生和可回收产品需求增加的推动下，该项目的成功将产生一个新的工业大麻供应链，包括改进的种子遗传学、繁殖实验室、温室、商业农场、工业脱皮设施和生物基产品制造商。从历史上看，直到世纪中期，宾夕法尼亚州一直是全国最多产的工业大麻种植者，由于其丰富的农业资源，世界一流的学术机构，创新投资，进入主要市场，多个制造中心，强大的工业和咨询合作伙伴关系，以及旨在刺激经济发展和创造就业机会的全州劳动力教育计划，宾夕法尼亚州在这一活动中处于有利地位。在非营利性生物技术公司Vytal Plant Science Research的领导下，合作伙伴包括广泛的全州学术，公共，非营利和经济发展组织联盟，包括宾夕法尼亚州立大学，Ben富兰克林技术合作伙伴，PA农业部，卢泽恩县社区学院，DON（残疾选择网络）处理，团队PA基金会，EPCAMR，和几个私营行业。为了满足这个机会，该项目小组将与主要利益相关者合作，制定一项全州范围的战略计划，旨在协调研究和商业化活动，并调整资源，以解决生态系统中的主要差距，即现有的监管障碍，劣质植物遗传学，农民对市场的信心有限，公众对工业大麻的误解，以及缺乏支持可持续供应链的工业加工设施。这一战略规划过程将制定建议的使用启发研究，STEM劳动力和农业教育计划，政策修正案，沟通战略和资助计划，以激励关键基础设施的发展，包括繁殖实验室和温室，商业农场和工业剥皮设施，以及支持生物技术创业和投资的创新资源。长期目标是为英联邦实现估计35亿美元的市场机会，在整个供应链中创造至少14,000个就业机会，并将宾夕法尼亚州定位为工业大麻生产和植物制造商的国家领导者-该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的评估支持影响审查标准。

This Regional Innovation Engines Development Award is focused on the development of a Pennsylvania plant-based ecosystem built upon genetic research, bioengineering, domestic propagation, cultivation, and processing that will support the manufacture and deployment of innovative bio-based products for application in green building construction, packaging, foods, nutraceuticals, textiles, renewable energy, and land remediation. Driven by increased global demand for bio-renewable and recyclable products needed to reduce greenhouse gases, eliminate plastic waste, increase food security, and improve soil health, the success of this project will result in a new industrial hemp-based supply chain inclusive of improved seed genetics, propagation labs, greenhouses, commercial farms, industrial decortication facilities, and bio-based product manufacturers. Historically the nation's most prolific grower of industrial hemp until the mid-19th Century, Pennsylvania is well-positioned for this activity due to its rich agricultural resources, world-class academic institutions, investments in innovation, access to major markets, multiple manufacturing hubs, strong industry, and advisory partnerships, and statewide workforce education programs designed to spur economic development and job creation. Led by Vytal Plant Science Research, a nonprofit biotechnology corporation, partners include a broad state-wide consortium of academic, public, non-profit, and economic development organizations, including Penn State University, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the PA Department of Agriculture, Luzerne County Community College, DON (Disability Options Network) Processing, Team PA Foundation, EPCAMR, and several private industries.To meet this opportunity, the project team will work with key stakeholders to develop a statewide strategic plan designed to coordinate research and commercialization activities and align resources to address the primary gaps in the ecosystem, namely existing regulatory impediments, inferior plant genetics, limited farmer confidence in the market, public misconceptions of industrial hemp, and lack of industrial processing facilities to support a sustainable supply chain. This strategic planning process will develop recommended use-inspired research, STEM workforce, and agriculture education programs, policy amendments, communication strategies, and funding programs to incentivize the development of crucial infrastructure inclusive of propagation labs and greenhouses, commercial farms, and industrial decortication facilities, as well as innovation resources to support biotechnology startups and investment. Long-term goals are to realize an estimated $3.5 Billion market opportunity for the Commonwealth, create at least 14,000 jobs throughout the entire supply chain, and position Pennsylvania as a national leader of industrial hemp production and manufacturer of plant-derivative bioproducts.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.