NSF invests $90 million to launch three new Science and Technology Centers
Funding establishes research hubs at UT Austin, Michigan State, and Northwestern to advance robotics, turbulence, and genome engineering.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is investing $90 million over the next five years to establish three new Science and Technology Centers (STCs). This initiative aims to accelerate scientific discovery and strengthen the national STEM workforce by fostering deep partnerships between government, industry, and academic institutions.
Each of the three centers will receive $6 million annually during an initial five-year term, with the possibility of competing for an additional five years of support. The new cohort includes the Center for Human and Robot Co-Adaptation, led by The University of Texas at Austin, which will study how humans and robots can securely adapt to one another within workplaces, hospitals, and home environments. Michigan State University will lead the Center for Transformative Explorations in Multi-Physics and Engineering of Scientific Turbulence (TEMPEST), utilizing AI, theory, and experimentation to control turbulence. Additionally, Northwestern University will lead the Center for Genome Intelligence Engineering (GENIE).
A Legacy of Transformational Research
The STC program was first established in 1987 to provide a framework for large-scale, transformational research targeting complex and high-risk challenges. The 2026 class of centers represents a strategic shift toward foundational research and emerging technologies. The NSF has specifically designed this latest round to ensure that laboratory discoveries are translated into tangible national benefits, bridging the gap between theoretical science and practical application.
Implications for AI and Industry
This investment targets critical frontiers in physics, robotics, and AI that have direct implications for the U.S. economy and public health. By integrating embodied intelligence into service robots, the NSF seeks to improve healthcare and independent living. Simultaneously, the work at TEMPEST to create predictive models for turbulence is expected to drive advancements in energy efficiency and aerospace engineering. Brian Stone, acting NSF director, stated that maintaining U.S. leadership in science and technology requires bold research and a skilled workforce. Michael Murillo, director of TEMPEST, added that the goal is to make turbulence predictable and controllable to enable new scientific discoveries.
Future Outlook
As these centers begin their operations, the industry will be watching for the first wave of translated technologies emerging from the GENIE and TEMPEST hubs. While the initial five-year funding is secured, the long-term viability of these projects will depend on their ability to meet the NSF's competitive benchmarks for a second term of support. The success of these centers will serve as a litmus test for how effectively the U.S. can integrate AI-fluent researchers into the broader scientific workforce to maintain a global competitive edge.