NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

The National Science Foundation (NSF) under a congressional mandate began the Experimental Program to Stimulate competitive Research (EPSCoR) in 1979.   NSF designated Nebraska an EPSCoR state in 1991. 

NSF funds Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) grants of up to $9 million over 36-48 months.   Application for these grants is limited to one per state. The purpose of an EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement grant is to provide support for lasting improvements in a state's academic research infrastructure and increased national competitiveness. EPSCoR support is intended to add specific value to the state's academic infrastructure not generally available through other funding sources. Successful infrastructure improvement plans are likely to be those that represent the opportunities for enhanced academic R&D competitiveness among a state's universities, including plans for generation of sustained non-EPSCoR support. A Research Infrastructure Improvement grant does not support individual faculty research projects. Requests for such support should be directed to NSF's regular research and educational grant programs.

Co-funding makes more NSF awards available to researchers in EPSCoR states by providing partial support for those proposals that merit review places at or near the cutoff for funding by the reviewing program.   This mechanism operates internally within NSF and does not require action by the proposer. 

Outreach provides financial support for visits by NSF staff to acquaint researchers in EPSCoR states with NSF priorities, programs, and policies. 

Cost sharing in the amount of 50% up to a maximum of $4.5 million is required. In addition to supporting R&D competitiveness, RII grants support outreach, minority, and women's programs. Nebraska has received over $45 million in NSF EPSCoR funds since 1991.

> For more information see: Projects, About Us, Metabolite Signaling Outreach Program, or Nebraska Center for Cell Biology.

> Check Active RFPs to see if requests for proposals on this program are active.