CNM, Along with Other Higher Education and Community Partners, Named as Semi-Finalist for Two Proposals in the 2025 National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines Competition

CNM is excited to announce that two proposals, which were submitted on behalf of coalitions the College participates in, have been selected as semi-finalists in the prestigious 2025 National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines Competition. The first proposal is the Energized Watershed project, led by UNM, which focuses on water and energy security. The second proposal is the Quantum Moonshot project, led by Elevate Quantum, which would further quantum research and education in New Mexico.

The NSF Regional Innovation Engines Competition was launched in 2023 with the goal of addressing national challenges and advancing critical technologies by creating partnerships between industry, higher education, government agencies, and other entities. In turn, these partnerships can help stimulate economic development and innovation. Winning engines receive up to $160 million dollars in funding over 10 years, with the option to get two years of funding before the official launch of the engine.

Andrea Sisneros Wichman, Senior Director of Programs at CNM Ingenuity, will serve as the Chief Workforce Development Officer for the Energized Watershed proposal. In this role, Andrea will oversee the development and implementation of workforce training programs at CNM and other higher education institutions to support water and energy security.

“This proposal is about planning for the future of water security in New Mexico and throughout the Southwest,” Andrea says. “There is great research coming from the national laboratories, and the next step is implementing those technologies and training folks to install and maintain them. CNM is a leader in developing and implementing workforce training programs, and our role in this proposal will be to create more programs and help partner institutions create their own programs to ensure there is a trained and readily available workforce now and in the future.”

Similarly, Brian Rashap, an instructor with CNM Ingenuity, will serve as the Director of Ecosystem for the Quantum Moonshot proposal. This means he will help create the necessary workforce and supply chain infrastructure needed for the growing quantum technology industry.

“Quantum technologies are on the cusp of moving from a research-centric industry to being utilized in commercial applications,” says Brian. “As we prepare for this transition, we will need to create workforce training programs to help train technicians and other critical roles. Along with technician and manufacturing roles, the quantum workforce will also need folks in more traditional roles like communications and human resources. Overall, this proposal would not only create a specialized workforce pipeline, but would also create pipelines to adjacent career pathways, opening doors for New Mexicans from all backgrounds.”

Now, Andrea, Brian, and their other coalition partners are preparing for virtual interviews with the NSF to discuss their proposals in more depth. Finalists will be announced by the end of the year.

Overall, Both Andrea and Brian are excited about being recognized at this level and what these proposals could mean for New Mexico and the region.

“It’s a really big deal to even be chosen as a semi-finalist, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done on this proposal so far," Andrea says. “And if we’re ultimately selected as a recipient, the Energized Watershed coalition will create more pathways to education and high-paying jobs for folks in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and Utah and will further elevate CNM’s reputation as a leader in economic development and innovation.”

“The NSF calls these engines for a reason,” Brian says. “We have the opportunity to power the quantum investments that have already been made in our state and be on the forefront of quantum commercialization. And most importantly, the engine would help create a plethora of in-demand, high-paying, career options for New Mexicans.”