Funded through a $1 million NSF Engines Development Award, Upstate 2.0, a partnership between Cornell University and SUNY ESF, will transition Upstate New York from a fossil-fuel-dependent, economically declining region to an inclusive, prosperous, sustainable climate-smart agriculture and forestry economy.

Upstate 2.0 is one of more than 40 teams in the inaugural round of NSF Engines Development Awards, which intend to help partners collaborate to create economic, societal and technological opportunities for their regions. Awardees will create connections and develop their local innovation ecosystems within two years to prepare strong proposals for becoming future NSF Engines, which will each have the opportunity to receive up to $160 million over 10 years.