Young applauds selection of IU-led coalition as NSF IMPACT Engine to advance treatment of musculoskeletal health conditions

Tuesday, Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded the selection of an Indiana University-led coalition of industry, workforce, clinical, government, and research partners for a major U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative.

The IU-led NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana has been selected as one of 12 new NSF Regional Innovation Engines, a highly competitive program designed to accelerate research — moving innovations from the lab to the marketplace while driving economic growth, job creation, and talent development. The NSF IMPACT Engine aims to connect Indiana’s world-class orthopedic industry, top universities, and health data resources to speed life-changing musculoskeletal innovations to the market.

The NSF Engine program was established through the CHIPS and Science Act, authored by Senator Young.

“Indiana already leads the world in orthopedic manufacturing, and this designation builds on that foundation to cement our leadership in musculoskeletal innovation,” said Senator Young. “Through the CHIPS and Science Act, we made a deliberate investment in places like Indiana, where research excellence, industry strength and talent come together to compete globally. This engine will accelerate innovation, grow high-quality jobs, and ensure Indiana remains at the forefront of this critical sector.”

By connecting engineers, scientists, clinicians and industry, the NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana will build critical infrastructure to support high-impact discoveries, including development of what aims to be the world’s largest integrated musculoskeletal dataset. Partners include Eli Lilly, Zimmer Biomet, BioCrossroads, OrthoWorx, IU Health, Regenstrief Institute, Purdue University, and the University of Notre Dame.

The coordinated regional ecosystem will receive $15 million over two years, with the potential to eventually receive up to $160 million from NSF if progress is achieved on well-defined milestones. An additional $179 million in partner funding will help translate cutting-edge research into patient- and consumer-focused solutions while training the workforce needed to meet the state’s growing health care demands.

More information on the announcement is available here.