Lansing-area based Materials Advancement and Research Solutions (MARS) Hub Drive Development of Globally Competitive Advanced Materials Industry   

LANSING, Mich.—Monday, Governor Whitmer announced that Michigan will receive a $400,000 grant from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop a regional technology and innovation strategy, laying the foundation for development of a globally competitive advanced materials industry. Led by the Michigan State University Foundation and in partnership with the EDA’s Tech Hub program, the MARS hub will focus on utilizing advanced materials, like synthetic diamonds, to advance semiconductor manufacturing, power next-generation defense technology, and enable EVs to charge up to five times faster.  

“I am thrilled that Michigan has won a competitive, national Tech Hub grant to develop and deploy technologies critical to the future of the economy and our national security,” said Governor Whitmer. “The Materials Advancement and Research Solutions, or MARS, Strategy Development Consortium in East Lansing, Michigan, led by the Michigan State University Research Foundation, will use this grant to work on synthetic diamond and rare isotope production. The national network of Tech Hubs, funded by President Biden’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, will help Michigan continue to be a center of game-changing innovation. Let’s keep building the future.”   

Led by the MSU Foundation, the Materials Advancement and Research Solutions (MARS) Hub in the Lansing region will have a transformational impact on the country’s ability to utilize advanced materials in groundbreaking advancements ranging from semiconductors to healthcare and align with the United States’ national security priorities. The proposal focuses on transforming the region’s economy based on expertise and competitive advantages in advanced materials science, specifically the manufacturing of specialized synthetic diamonds and rare isotopes. These synergistic advanced materials are driving groundbreaking improvements in semiconductor chips, defense and space electronics, advanced manufacturing, medical imaging, sensing, quantum computing, and other applications essential to U.S. national and economic security, and Michigan State University has deep expertise in this domain.       

In May, Lt. Governor Gilchrist II, the Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO), the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) launched a statewide collaborative effort to support regions in submitting their applications.   

“The Materials Advancement and Research Solutions (MARS) Hub will power innovation and help the region fully realize its economic potential,” said David Washburn, Executive Director of the MSU Research Foundation. “Unlocking Michigan’s true potential lies in our ability to gather regional strengths and put them together in a way that secures federal funding - and this is perfect evidence of our success. All Michiganders should be proud.”   

As part of the CHIPS Act, Congress directed the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) to launch the “Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program,” a national contest in which regions across the country vie for federal funding to diversify the country’s high-tech economy and increase innovation across communities. The CHIPS Act will invest up to $10 billion over five years in 20 regional technology and innovation hubs. To date, $500 million has been appropriated to the program.   

 About the Michigan Infrastructure Office   

The Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.      

 About MSU Foundation: 

The Michigan State University Research Foundation (MSU Research Foundation) is a non-profit research foundation formed in April of 1973 focused on technology commercialization and economic development. The MSU Research Foundation manages an endowment built from decades of intellectual property licensing revenue and provides over $10 million in research funding to Michigan State University annually. Along with strong regional economic development partnerships, the MSU Research Foundation operates subsidiary organizations focused on providing entrepreneurial support and programming, pre-seed and early-stage venture funding, and the Foundation holds and develops incubator facilities and select real estate assets important for entrepreneurs and MSU’s corporate relationships. www.msufoundation.org    

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