NSF-CMC Reverse Logo

CMC Partners

Core Partners

University of Missouri-Kansas City Logo
University of Missouri Logo
University of Missouri-Saint Louis Logo
Missouri Science and Technology Logo
Ames National Laboratory Logo
Colorado School of Mines Logo
Full Employment Council Logo
Great Jobs KC Logo
Kansas State University Logo
University of Kansas Logo
Lincoln University Logo
Missouri State University Logo
National Laboratory of the Rockies Logo
Pittsburg State University Logo
Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development Logo
Wichita State University Logo
Missouri Western State University
Michigan State University Logo
Enterprise KC Logo
Mid-America Regional Council Logo
Civic Council of Greater Kansas City Logo
Port KC Logo
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Logo

We're Building a Better Future With Our Partners

HERE IS WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

This award is a powerful validation of what the Kansas City region can achieve when industry, higher education and public partners unite behind a shared vision. With world-class infrastructure, a thriving talent pipeline and a collaborative ecosystem, our region is uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of advanced manufacturing and create new opportunities for critical materials innovation and production.
Elli Houston
Elli HoustonVice President - KC SmartPort
Kansas City has long been a place where complex challenges are solved through collaboration. Today's announcement recognizes the strength of our region's talent, industry and research community. We are proud that UMKC in leading this important initiative and look forward to supporting the development of new and lasting economic opportunities here in Kansas City while strengthening America's critical materials supply chain.
Ron Coker, Burns & McDonnell
Ron Cokersenior vice president - Burns McDonnell
This is a transformative moment for Greater Kansas City and a powerful validation of what is possible when universities, industry, government and civic partners come together around a shared vision. The NSF Regional Innovation Engines award positions our region to lead the nation in advancing critical materials innovation while strengthening our economy, creating high-quality jobs and building a more resilient domestic supply chain. The KC Chamber is proud to have supported this effort, and we congratulate UMKC and every partner whose collaboration helped make this achievement possible. We look forward to building on this momentum to ensure Greater Kansas City continues to compete and lead on the global stage.
Joe Reardon-KC Chamber
Joe ReardonPresident and chief executive officer - Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
This project holds great promise for the region’s workforce, and will create pathways for thousands of in-demand, quality careers in sectors that play to the Kansas City region’s economic strengths. Through training and support systems that match the needs of employers and job seekers concurrently, the Critical Materials Crossroads Engine will ensure that opportunity is accessible to the workforce and employers in Greater Kansas City region.
Clyde McQueen
Clyde McQueenChief executive officer - Full Employment Council
We are excited to be part of this important regional initiative. EaglePicher, a leading battery manufacturer serving the defense and aerospace industries, will be a key partner in the development and commercialization of domestically produced battery materials, helping to strengthen national security and enhance supply chain independence.
Mario DestephenDirector of research and development - EaglePicher Technologies
This historic $160 million NSF award is a massive win for the Greater Kansas City region, and Great Jobs KC is ready to ensure our local workforce shares in that success. Our role is to break down barriers to these high-paying career pathways by delivering comprehensive tuition assistance, specialized workshops, and critical support services. We look forward to working alongside our partners through 2036 to build a diverse, skilled talent pipeline that will sustain this vital national initiative for the decade to come.
Jimmy SwiftChief operating officer - Great Jobs KC
... This initiative will strengthen research collaborations, accelerate innovation and create new pathways for students, researchers and industry partners to address critical workforce needs. Pittsburg State University is proud to support this transformative effort and to contribute our expertise in applied research, workforce development and industry engagement. Together, we are building a stronger innovation ecosystem that will enhance regional economic growth while advancing the nation's leadership in critical materials and advanced manufacturing.
Ram Gupta
Ram GuptaAssociate vice president for research and innovation - Pittsburg State University
Rebuilding America's critical materials supply chain will require strong partnerships across research, manufacturing, workforce development and logistics. Wagner is proud to support the UMKC-led Critical Materials Crossroads Engine and the coalition of partners working to strengthen domestic manufacturing, enhance supply chain resilience and position the Kansas City region as a national leader in critical materials innovation.
Brian Smith
Brian SmithChief executive officer, Wagner Logistics
...Wichita State University is proud to support this transformative effort and contribute its expertise in research and development. Critical materials are essential to industrial manufacturing, technological advancement and national security. The establishment of this regional engine will create significant opportunities for innovation, commercialization and domestic production of critical materials in the Kansas City region, with subsequent expansion and broader economic impact extending to Wichita and the surrounding areas.
Jian Wang
Jian WangAssociate professor of chemistry and biochemistry - Wichita State University
The National Science Foundation’s investment in UMKC’s Critical Materials Crossroads Engine is a major win for Kansas City and our region. It recognizes the expertise and commitment behind an effort that can strengthen American manufacturing, expand career opportunities and position this region as a leader in critical materials. JE Dunn is proud to support UMKC and congratulate everyone whose work made this achievement possible.
Tim Dunn UMKC Trustee
Tim DunnChairman of the board and chief investment officer - JE Dunn Construction; UMKC Trustee
The National Science Foundation’s investment in the Critical Materials Crossroads initiative is an important milestone for the Kansas City region and for advancing critical materials capabilities in the United States. As demand for critical materials continues to grow, the challenge is not only developing new technologies, but creating the infrastructure and industrial capacity needed to bring them to market at scale. Black & Veatch is proud to contribute its experience in human critical infrastructure to support that effort.
Doug MillerVice president and managing director for mining, food and agriculture for Black & Veatch

Our Partners

Partner Spotlights on LinkedIn!

6K Inc.

Acrturus

Act-ion Technologies

Affinius Capital

Alkemio

AltCap

Altillion

ARCAM

BigBlueTech

Birch Creek Innovations

Brokkr

C2RE

Capital Collaborative of KC

Clarity Cap LLC

CVMR

ColdSpark

Cuprum Metal

Department of Energy

Enduring Planet

Energy Ventures

Great Plains Venture Group

Hamilton Clark

Heartland Futures Lab

Iron Prairie Ventures

JE Dunn – Capital Partners

Keystone Innovation Angels

Khasma Capital

Kinterra Capital

Lightway Ventures

Mangrove Lithium

Missouri IDEA Fund

New Industrial Corporation

NiCAT

Nomadic Venture Partners

Nth Cycle

Overlay Capital

Permanent Equity

Prevail Ventures

TDK Ventures

TGP Investments

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Voyager Ventures

Webster Bank

Western Alliance Bank

Western CAM

C3 Consensus

Endeavor Heartland

Ennovation Center

Kauffman Foundation

KC Digital Drive

KC Source Link

Kemetco

Keystone Innovation District

PIPELINE Entrepeneurs

Startup Junkie /LRIC

University of Missouri-Kansas City

City of De Soto

City of Independence

City of Kansas City

City of Olathe

City of Parkville (City Manager)

City of Prairie Village

City of Sugar Creek

Clay County

Consultant (Economic Development)

Consultant (Missouri Strategy)

DARPA

DLA HQ R&D (J68) BATTNET

DLA Strategic Materials

Independence Chamber of Commerce

Jackson County

Kansas Chamber

Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Kansas City City Council

Kansas City Civic Council

Kansas Department of Commerce

Kansas Department of Commerce- Workforce

KS Legislature

Mid America Regional Council (MARC)

Missouri Department of Economic Development

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri Enterprise

Missouri Next

Missouri Partnership

Missouri State Government

Missouri Technology Corporation

Mo DNR

NSWC, Crane Division

U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center

Ukrainian Critical Minerals Delegation

University of Missouri-Kansas City

US Department of Commerce/US Commercial Service – International Trade Administration

USAF/AFMC/AFLCMC

6K Energy

Act-Ion Technologies

Aesir

AIAG

Albermarle

American Atomics

Applied Catalysts

Aqua Metals

Arkin Sales – Industrial Equipment

Ateios

Australian Strategic Materials (ASM)

Autlan

Batteries Plus

Battery Innovation Center

Black & Veatch

Blue Lava

Brewer Science

Burns & McDonnell

C4V

Caldera Engineering

Caldera Holdings

Calumix

Chemfinity Technologies

Clark & Enerson

CMR

Cold Spark Technologies

Consarc

Consultant

Corning

CPKC

CVMR

Doe Run

E waste recycling

EaglePicher

EcoBat

El Paso Minerals

Energy Consulting – Batteries etc.

Energy Fuels

EnerSys

Eutectix Technologies

EVelution Energy

Evergy

Evolution Mining

Feynman Energy USA

First Phosphate

Flotration

Fortune Minerals Limited

FPX Nickel

Glencore

Gloyd Recycling Solutions

Graphwerx

Green Stream Recycling

GreenTec Auto

Guardian Metal Resources

Halo Science

HCJ Energy / DeBruce Companies

Honeywell – Battery/Automation Expert

HTE Automation

ICL

IDI Automation

iM3NY

Impossible Metals

Ioneer

IT Recycling Answers (ITRA)

Jost Chemical

Kansas City National Security Campus

KC Connect (IT solutions)

Koch Modular

Labconco

Largo

Lawrence Livermore Nat’l Lab

Limelight Steel

Lithion Power Sources

Mast Scrap Management Advisors

Maverick Metals

Metal Powders Group

Metso

Midwest Recycling Center

Missouri Association of Manufacturers

Molycop

Moxba Solutions

MRI Global

Musselman and Hall

Nabors Energy Transition Solutions

Nano One

National Security Innovation Network

NEI Corp

NexGen

Nugreen Metals

Panasonic Energy North America

Park Aerospace

Pedogee

Phinix

PNNL

Powergenic Systems

Prayon

Pure Battery Tech

Questek

Radiation Detection Technologies

Rare Earth Refiners

ReElement Technologies

Refinyx

Renata Batteries

ResoreCAP

Rio Tinto

S&P Global

SAE

Scandinavian Ocean Minerals

Sortera/Nanoranch

Stardust

Still Bright

Storion

Stryten Energy

Sun Chemical

Sylvatex

TAB USA

TDA Research

Telescope Innovations

Traxys

Trinity Real Assets (previously Green Stream Recycling)

Tyfast Energy

Ultion Technologies

Ultra-Tech Aerospace 

US Strategic Metals

Valcon Materials

Wagner Logistics

Westwin Elements

Xerion Battery

XPSX – Glencore

DeBruce Foundation

Foundation for Regeneration

Global Ties KC

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

KC Tech Council

Patterson Family Foundation

University of Missouri Science and Technology

University of Missouri-Kansas City

University of Missouri-St. Louis

West Virginia University

Wichita State University

Turner Construction

Union Pacific

VanTrust Real Estate

Blue Springs School District

Community Services League

Enterprise KC

Fort Osage School District

Full Employment Council of Kansas City

Goodwill of Western MO & Eastern KS

Great Jobs KC

Great Plains Industrial Park

Independence School District

JCCC

Julius Education

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

Kansas City Kansas Community College

Kansas City Public Schools

Kauffman Foundation

KC Rising/KC Civic Council

KC Tech Council

Lincoln University

Mattie Rhodes

Metropolitan Community College

Metropolitan Community College Association

Missouri State Workforce Board

Missouri Western University

Prep KC

School Smart Kansas City

University of Kansas

University of Missouri-Kansas City

University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC Science and Math Academy)

Workforce Partnership