The NSF RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine in Iowa and Nebraska is helping America's agricultural heartland build and manufacture what the world needs next: from fuels and industrial materials to pharmaceuticals and consumer products.

RuralSTAMINA connects research, manufacturing, workforce and entrepreneurship resources, and industry partnerships to turn agricultural resources into new high-value products, create competitive jobs, and unleash economic opportunities across Iowa and Nebraska.

By supporting these interactions, RuralSTAMINA helps move biomanufacturing innovations into scalable manufacturing, commercialization, and economic impact. Together, we are turning agricultural materials into higher-value products, new manufacturing opportunities, and regional economic growth.

What is Advanced Biomanufacturing?

Advanced biomanufacturing uses agricultural and biological materials — including crops, plant residues, and other renewable resources — to create products used every day.

That can include:

  • Fuels and industrial materials
  • Pharmaceuticals and vaccines
  • Chemicals and plastics
  • Textiles and consumer products

Using technologies like fermentation and biomass chemical processing, these materials can be transformed into high-value products while strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains.

What We Do

The NSF Rural STAMINA Engine translates breakthrough biomanufacturing research into real-world impact.

We bring together:

  • Industry partners
  • Startups and entrepreneurs
  • Venture capital investment groups
  • Researchers
  • Workforce and education partners
  • Economic development organizations
  • Community organizations
  • State and local government partners

Together, we are helping grow advanced biomanufacturing across Iowa and Nebraska by:

  • Accelerating commercialization
  • Supporting workforce pathways
  • Connecting industry and research
  • Expanding regional manufacturing capacity
  • Creating new opportunities for rural communities

Our Core Partners

Iowa State University" written in red capital letters on a white background.
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The word "IOWA" in bold yellow letters on a white background.
Green and blue Invest Nebraska logo with stylized "IN" graphic on the left.
Southeast Community College logo with stylized blue "S" and text.
DMACC logo with "Des Moines Area Community College" in blue text on a white background.
BioConnect Iowa logo with a green and blue DNA strand between the words.

Why It Matters

Advances in biotechnology and manufacturing are creating new opportunities for rural communities to convert agricultural resources into higher-value products and manufacturing jobs.

The NSF RuralSTAMINA Engine is accelerating technology development, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and leveraging regional agricultural assets to build domestic supply chains with American-grown resources, while creating good paying jobs and expanding opportunity across rural communities.

As advances in biotechnology and manufacturing create new possibilities, Iowa and Nebraska are uniquely positioned to lead because of our:

  • World-class agriculture production systems
  • Manufacturing expertise and infrastructure
  • Research institutions and innovation capacity
  • Transportation infrastructure and logistics networks
  • Growing network of industry and regional partners
  • Workforce and education pathways that support the next generation of manufacturing and innovation

By transforming agricultural and biological resources into higher-value products, RuralSTAMINA aims to:

  • Strengthen American supply chains
  • Support domestic manufacturing
  • Create competitive jobs
  • Attract new investment and industry to the area
  • Expand opportunity across rural communities

Get Involved

RuralSTAMINA is actively building partnerships across industry, research, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and rural communities.

Whether you are interested in commercialization opportunities, workforce initiatives, startup support, research collaboration, or regional partnerships, there are multiple ways to engage with RuralSTAMINA.

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Our Team

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Kevin Moore

Chief Executive Officer

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Nigel Reuel

Chief Technology Officer

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Stacy Renfro

Chief Operations Officer

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Misty Wehling

Chief Workforce Officer

NSF Engines Awardee" with NSF and Regional Innovation Engines logos on a blue background.

What is an NSF Regional Innovation Engine?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines program seeks to support multiple flourishing regional innovation ecosystems across the U.S., spurring economic growth in regions that have not seen significant impacts of recent technology booms. The program supports up to 10 years and $160 million in funding for awarded Engines.

The program seeks to boost innovation capacity within the region of service of each Engine, create sustainable innovation ecosystems, and demonstrate economic growth with new technologies and systems.