EPSCoR Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology

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Description

This funding opportunity, offered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), is designed to support the creation and enhancement of Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) in EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) jurisdictions. The program aims to expand geographic diversity and foster research excellence by supporting emerging research institutions with limited prior research expenditures. Funded centers are expected to integrate research and education, broaden participation in STEM, and position themselves for long-term sustainability and national competitiveness.

The opportunity provides multi-year support for institutions to establish or strengthen research centers that address high-priority STEM topics, promote workforce development, and build collaborative partnerships. Both new (Phase I) and renewal (Phase II) center proposals are accepted, as well as partnership supplements for current CREST awardees.

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Due Dates

• Full Proposals:

  • December 6, 2024
  • July 7, 2025
  • First Monday in July, annually thereafter

• Partnership Supplements:

  • July 7, 2025
  • First Monday in July, annually thereafter

All deadlines are due by 5:00 p.m. local time of the submitting organization.

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Funding Amount

• EPSCoR CREST Center Awards:

  • Up to $1,500,000 per year
  • Maximum of $7,500,000 over five years

• Partnership Supplements:

  • Up to $100,000 per supplement

Total program funding is estimated at $4,500,000 per cycle, subject to availability.

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Eligibility

• Who May Apply:

  • Institutions of Higher Education that:
    • Offer doctoral degrees in NSF STEM areas
    • Are located in an EPSCoR jurisdiction
    • Qualify as Emerging Research Institutions (less than $50M in research expenditures per year in 3 of the last 5 years, as reported here)
  • Only one proposal per eligible institution per due date
  • Only one active CREST Center award per institution at a time

• PI Requirements:

  • Principal Investigator must hold a full-time faculty appointment at the submitting institution
  • Individuals may serve as PI or co-PI on only one proposal per cycle

• Other Restrictions:

  • Funding for partnering organizations must be requested via subawards
  • Collaborative proposals submitted separately will not be accepted
  • Partnership supplements are only available to current CREST Center awardees

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Application Process

• Submission Platforms:

  • Research.gov
  • Grants.gov

• Required Documents:

  • Project Summary (overview, intellectual merit, broader impacts)
  • Project Description (including at least three, up to five, research subprojects)
  • Management plan, evaluation plan, and sustainability plan
  • Letters of support and collaboration (provost or equivalent, major partners, evaluator)
  • Budget and justification
  • Biographical sketches, current/pending support, and other standard NSF documentation

• Preparation Guidance:

  • Follow the current NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
  • Proposals not compliant with all guidelines will be returned without review
  • Informational webinars are available—see the NSF CREST webpage for updates

• Special Requirements:

  • Centers must have an external advisory committee and an internal steering committee
  • Evaluation by an independent team is required
  • Proposals must include specific, measurable objectives and a plan for sustainability beyond NSF funding

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Additional Information

• No cost sharing or matching required
• Student financial support is limited to U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
• Subawards to partners are capped at 10% of the total center budget (max $750,000 for a $7.5M award)
• After 10 years of CREST Centers support, institutions must wait five years before reapplying in the same area

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External Links

• NSF Program Page
• Full Solicitation (NSF 24-575)
• Grants.gov Opportunity Listing
• EPSCoR Jurisdictions List
• Emerging Research Institution Criteria
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide

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Contact Information