ESD accepting applications for NYS Advanced Materials Innovation Challenge

Empire State Development (ESD) is accepting applications for the New York State Advanced Materials Innovation Challenge through Sept. 30.

As manufacturers statewide adopt “cleaner and greener practices to eliminate waste and emissions, advanced materials have the potential to accelerate the process of making manufacturing more environmentally sustainable,” ESD said in its announcement.

“To support these goals,” the New York State Advanced Materials Innovation Challenge will award up to $150,000 for projects that will develop new materials or new applications of existing materials.

“Advances in materials science are providing groundbreaking opportunities to replace or reduce the use of toxic or excessive materials in manufacturing while also developing new and improved high-performance products,” Hope Knight, president, CEO and commissioner of Empire State Development, said. “The strongest proposals for the New York State Innovation Challenge will deliver positive change by using or developing advanced materials that are themselves sustainable while creating applications that promote environmental sustainability.”

ESD says New York–based innovators can submit projects for the Advanced Materials Innovation Challenge that reach goals that include reducing the use of toxic chemicals during manufacturing.

Those goals can also include shortening the supply chain to use locally sourced and sustainable materials instead of materials that require long-distance transportation.

They can also include identifying, developing, and/or validating alternative sustainable materials; reducing or eliminating the creation of harmful byproducts during manufacturing; and the reduction of landfilling and/or repurpose waste from manufacturing or product end-of-life, ESD said.

“By using advanced materials to conserve natural resources and protect ecosystems now and in the future, New York State manufacturers can lead the way nationally and globally for environmental sustainability within this vital industry,” Elena Garuc. executive director of FuzeHub, said. “New Yorkers are known for rising to the occasion and tackling big challenges — this is a moment for our state’s innovators and problem-solvers to create positive change by harnessing the power of advanced materials.”

Albany–based FuzeHub describes itself as a nonprofit that “provides New York State manufacturers and technology companies with guided access to our extensive network of industry experts, programs and assets to solve productivity, commercialization, research and development issues, and other challenges to growth.”

Innovation Challenge organizers expect to award three grants of $50,000 each. More details, including guidelines and the application, are available at fuzehub.com/innovation-challenge.