# NRT: Smart Agriculture Energy Innovation Network: Building the Workforce for Sustainable Rural Energy Communities

> **NSF 04002526DB NSF STEM Education** · Mississippi State University (MS) · $3,000,000

## Abstract

This National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) award to Mississippi State University will develop a smart agriculture energy innovation network (SAGEIN) certification program that integrates distributed renewable energy systems, smart agriculture technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and entrepreneurship to build workforce capacity for rural communities. The integration of distributed renewable energy systems with smart agriculture represents a critical frontier for addressing interlinked national challenges of energy security, rural economic development, and long-term sustainability under environmental variability while creating new paradigms for sustainable food-energy systems. The SAGEIN program creates a comprehensive training ecosystem where research innovations can be effectively translated into practical solutions that drive rural economic development. The unique stakeholder-driven framework identifies authentic rural energy challenges while providing direct pathways for implementation and technology transfer. The project anticipates training three hundred and fifty (350) MS and PhD students, including fifteen (15) funded trainees, from mechanical engineering, agricultural sciences, economics, and human sciences, preparing them to become research entrepreneurs and technical experts in the rapidly evolving rural energy sector.

The SAGEIN program implements a three-phase educational model designed to transform graduate students into research entrepr

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2510164
- **Awardee organization:** Mississippi State University (MS)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NTXJM52SHKS7
- **PI:** Tonya W Stone
- **Primary program:** 04002526DB NSF STEM Education
- **All programs:** Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI Education/Workforce Develop, Rural as Research Focus, Translational Research, WOMEN, MINORITY, DISABLED, NEC, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES, GRADUATE INVOLVEMENT, SCIENCE, MATH, ENG & TECH EDUCATION
- **Estimated total:** $3,000,000
- **Funds obligated:** $3,000,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2030

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2510164

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2510164, NRT: Smart Agriculture Energy Innovation Network: Building the Workforce for Sustainable Rural Energy Communities. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2510164. Licensed CC0.

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