NSF Regional Innovation Engine - Great Lakes ReNEW Workforce Development Partnership

Great Lakes ReNEW - NSF Regional Innovation Engine

Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

Award Amount: Up to $160 million over 10 years

Status: Awarded January 29, 2024

Lead Organization: Current (Chicago-based water innovation hub)

WRTP | BIG STEP Role: Workforce partner in Wisconsin

Geographic Scope: Six-state collaboration (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)

Overview

One of 10 inaugural NSF Regional Innovation Engines representing unprecedented national investment in place-based research and economic development. Great Lakes ReNEW is a multi-state partnership to boost Great Lakes leadership on resource recovery and circular economy, with a focus on clean water innovation and workforce development.

Purpose

• Develop water-focused innovation in the Great Lakes region
• Create economic opportunities in water technology and circular economy
• Strengthen domestic supply chains for clean energy technologies
• Address water quality and security issues
• Build diverse workforce for clean water sector

Innovation Focus

• Selective separation technologies to extract valuable minerals and remove dangerous forever chemicals (PFAS) from wastewater
• Recovery of lithium and other critical materials for battery and fertilizer production
• Wastewater innovation and circular economy solutions

Workforce Development Component

• WRTP | BIG STEP serves as workforce partner in Wisconsin
• Customized apprenticeship training for clean water sector careers
• Programs in Milwaukee and beyond
• Connection to broader workforce development systems
• Training for individuals affected by joblessness and systemic barriers
• Community-based organizations to credentialing programs
• Community colleges and universities partnerships

WRTP | BIG STEP Role

"WRTP | BIG STEP is proud to be the workforce partner in Wisconsin to ensure everyone has access to careers in ensuring our water is safe for generations to come. The training we provide will be customized for those entering apprenticeship in the clean water sector in Milwaukee and beyond." - Lindsay Blumer, WRTP | BIG STEP CEO & President

Context

• Selected from over 700 initial submissions
• Finalist among 16 competing proposals
• One of 10 inaugural NSF Engines with $1.6 billion potential investment across all engines over 10 years
• Largest single investment in place-based research and economic development in U.S. history
• Backed by six Great Lakes states; Illinois contributed $2 million in state funding

Key Partners (50+ total)

• Research institutions: University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Wayne State University, and others
• Industry: AO Smith, Dow, Exelon, Whirlpool, Oldcastle, and others
• Workforce development: WRTP | BIG STEP, HIRE360, TIES, National Fund for Workforce Solutions
• Government agencies: EPA, state economic development organizations
• Community organizations and nonprofits

Contact Information

WRTP | BIG STEP
• Headquarters: 3841 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208
• Phone: (414) 342-9787
• Email: milwaukee@wrtp.org
• Website: wrtp.org

Current (Lead Organization)

Website: current.org

Location: Chicago, IL

Grant Award Number: 2315268