RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

The U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program announced the 29 semifinalists advancing to the next stage of the second competition – spanning critical technologies and applications ranging from energy grid security to maximizing the yield of critical minerals mining to advanced optical sensors. The semifinalist teams, many of whom have been building their regional coalitions for a year or longer, are led by universities, nonprofits, private industry and other organizations from across the United States. View a map of the NSF Engines semifinalists.

Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation

A map showing the locations of the U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program’s 29 finalists for 2025. Explore the map semifinalists in more detail.

“This outstanding cohort of semifinalists clearly demonstrates that America’s technology competitiveness will depend as much on expanding our ability to unlock innovation capacity in every part of our country — from the rural plains and western ranges to cities with rich industrial and manufacturing legacies — as it will on advancing the technologies themselves,” said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP). “Each team was selected because it brought strong public and private partners to the table and outlined a promising vision for research, innovation and workforce development in

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

BOTHELL, Wash. –  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Nenana Ridge Complex burning in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area and Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. 

The state of Alaska’s request for a declaration under FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) program was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Administrator Vincent J. Maykovich on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at 10:11 p.m. PT. He determined that the Nenana Ridge Complex threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the third FMAG declaration in 2025 to help fight Alaska wildfires. 

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfires threatened homes near the communities of Nenana and Fairbanks. The fires also threatened communication towers, watershed, fishing streams, spawning sites, wildlife, environmental and cultural resources, commercial sites, and parts of the George Parks Highway, the Alaska Railroad, and the Alaska Energy Authority’s Alaska Intertie transmission line. 

FMAGs make funding available to pay up to 75 percent of a state’s eligible firefighting costs for fires that threaten to become major disasters. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fires.  

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

PHILADELPHIA— The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Surry Power Station. The exercise will occur on July 22, 2025 to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Virginia to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility. 

“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said Lilian Hutchinson, Acting Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Virginia.” 

Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise. 

FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 4:30pm on July 24, 2025. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the NRC. The meeting will take place in-person at:

Newport News Marriott at City Center 

740 Town Center Drive 

Newport News, VA 23606

At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing [email protected] or by mail to:

Lilian Hutchinson 

Acting Regional Administrator

FEMA Region 3

615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19106

FEMA created the Radiological Emergency

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

AUSTIN – FEMA is supporting state and local recovery efforts for Texas homeowners and renters in Kerr County who sustained damage from the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred July 2, 2025, and continuing.

Financial assistance is available to eligible homeowners and renters in Kerr County. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

Survivors with homeowners, renters’ or flood insurance should file a claim first. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may then be eligible for federal assistance.

Public Assistance federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations. This assistance is available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in Kerr County.

How To Apply for FEMA Assistance

Homeowners and renters who have disaster-caused damage or loss can apply for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration DR-4879-TX in several ways:

The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov.Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.