EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused EPSCoR Collaborations Program (RII-FEC)
The EPSCoR RII-FEC program supports collaborative STEM research projects involving EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions to enhance research infrastructure and capacity nationwide.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: December 17, 2024 (Letter of Intent) | January 28, 2025 (Full proposal) | January 29, 2026 (Full proposal) | December 15, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | January 26, 2027 (Full proposal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $4M (2 jurisdictions) or $6M (3+ jurisdictions) over up to 4 years; program total $12–18M; typical award $1–1.5M/year.
Summary: Supports interjurisdictional STEM research collaborations to enhance research infrastructure and competitiveness in EPSCoR-eligible regions.
Key Information: Letter of Intent is required; only one lead proposal per organization per cycle.
Description
This program funds collaborative research projects that build and strengthen research infrastructure and STEM capacity in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions. The initiative aims to foster sustainable improvements in research and workforce development by supporting investigator-driven projects that unite researchers from at least two EPSCoR-eligible states or territories. Projects must address significant challenges in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) that require multi-jurisdictional collaboration and demonstrate how the partnership will achieve outcomes unattainable by a single jurisdiction alone. Emphasis is placed on broadening participation, developing early-career faculty, and creating inclusive, diverse teams that can advance research, education, and workforce development in alignment with NSF strategic priorities.
