EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems Research Infrastructure Improvement Program
Limited submission
NSF's EPSCoR program funds partnerships to improve research infrastructure, R&D capacity, and competitiveness in eligible states/territories, focusing on sustainable STEM ecosystems.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
U.S. National Science Foundation has archived this opportunity.
Funder: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Due Dates: December 6, 2023 | July 9, 2024 | July 8, 2025 | Second Tuesday in July, Annually Thereafter
Funding Amounts: Up to $37.5 million annually total; individual awards up to $8 million for 4 years, with possible 4-year renewal.
Summary: Supports EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions in building sustainable, jurisdiction-wide STEM research infrastructure cores and networks to enhance R&D capacity and competitiveness.
Key Information: Multi-institutional collaborations required; cost sharing prohibited; focus on sustainability and broadening participation; limited to EPSCoR jurisdictions.
Description
The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems Research Infrastructure Improvement Program (E-CORE RII) by the National Science Foundation (NSF) aims to enhance the research competitiveness of EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions (states, territories, and commonwealths) by fostering sustainable improvements in research infrastructure and R&D capacity. This program supports the development of jurisdiction-wide STEM research ecosystems through partnerships among academic institutions, government, industry, and non-profit sectors.
E-CORE RII projects focus on building capacity in one or more targeted research infrastructure cores that address jurisdiction-specific needs identified through evidence-based analysis and aligned with the jurisdiction’s Science & Technology (S&T) Plan. The program emphasizes sustainability beyond the award period and the creation or leveraging of jurisdictional networks to drive lasting impact.
Key goals include addressing infrastructure challenges, building critical masses of investigator expertise, and broadening participation across institutions and sectors. The program supports a required Administrative Core to coordinate activities and additional optional cores such as research support, academic infrastructure, STEM education pathways, workforce development, broadening participation, partnerships, community engagement, economic development, and early career trainee pathways.
E-CORE RII projects must incorporate five design elements of collaborative infrastructure: broadening participation and collaboration, connections across diverse institutions and sectors, measurable goals and evaluation, leadership and communication capacity, and jurisdictional development. Projects are expected to include independent evaluation and continuous assessment in partnership with the jurisdictional EPSCoR Steering Committee.
Awards are cooperative agreements with an initial four-year funding period and potential renewal for an additional four years based on performance and sustainability plans.
