FuzeHub to use $1 million NSF award for program focused on advanced materials

ALBANY, N.Y. — FuzeHub says it will use a $1 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead Upstate Makes.

Upstate Makes is a collaborative initiative to build New York’s advanced materials ecosystem and “foster innovation-fueled economic growth,” FuzeHub said in its announcement.

FuzeHub is an Albany–based nonprofit that works to help New York state-based manufacturers and technology companies. NSF awarded the funding through its Regional Innovation Engines Development Awards.

“Upstate Makes will have the opportunity to demonstrate our region’s emergence as an internationally renowned advanced materials ecosystem. With a special focus on driving materials innovation in semiconductor manufacturing, it will add to the unique strength of Upstate New York’s vibrant and growing microelectronics sector,” Elena Garuc, executive director of FuzeHub, said. “FuzeHub is grateful to [U.S.] Senate Majority Leader [Charles] Schumer for his vision for American innovation and for relentlessly advocating for Upstate Makes. We also extend our gratitude to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for their commitment to advanced manufacturing and their partnership in building New York’s innovation ecosystem.”

The Upstate Makes initiative led to the creation of the New York Advanced Materials Alliance, FuzeHub said. The Alliance brings together several industry, research, workforce development, commercialization, and community partners to serve as the driving force behind FuzeHub’s ecosystem-building efforts.

Working together, the partners involved will focus on fostering materials innovation for semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing, “which has become a massive regional strength” for upstate New York, per the announcement. The region is home to multiple fabs, industry employment, patent activity, and shared research and development (R&D) facilities.

FuzeHub also says it will use a $200,000 grant from Empire State Development (ESD) to “deepen the impact” of NSF’s $1 million for Upstate Makes. The strategic grant funding “builds on the momentum” generated through Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Green CHIPS program, which has sparked economic development and attracted global enterprises to invest and build in New York State, the organization said.

FuzeHub is supported by ESD’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), which oversees and funds New York’s innovation infrastructure, a network of statewide resources.