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EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Focused EPSCoR Collaborations Program (FEC)

Federal funding opportunity 24-573 from U.S. National Science Foundation.

Apply on Grants.gov →Application closes January 26, 2027

Posted
May 17, 2024
Closes
January 26, 2027
Award ceiling
$1,500,000
Award floor
$1,000,000
Program funding
$18,000,000
Cost sharing
No
Instrument
Grant
Assistance listing
47.079, 47.083, 47.070, 47.084, 47.074, 47.041, 47.075, 47.076, 47.049, 47.050
Category
Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Archives
February 24, 2028

Program funding history

Awards made under Assistance Listing 47.079 across FY2024–FY2026, from public federal spending records.

FY2024 obligated
$78.3M
FY2025 obligated
$56.5M
FY2026 (to date) obligated
$4.5M
Awards in window
466

Top recipients: Internat Human Frontier Science Programm, University of Illinois, Michigan State University, University of Tennessee, J. Craig Venter Institute, Inc.

Source: USAspending.gov · refreshed August 2026

Synopsis

The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is designed to fulfill the mandate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote scientific progress nationwide. EPSCoR eligibility status is yearly updated and reported in the EPSCoR website (see EPSCoR eligibility). Through this program, NSF establishes partnerships with government, higher education, and industry that are designed to affect sustainable improvements in a jurisdiction's research infrastructure, Research and Development (R&D) capacity, and hence, its R&D competitiveness. The FEC program (formerly known as “EPSCoR Track-2 program”) builds interjurisdictional collaborative teams of EPSCoR investigators in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) focus areas consistent with the currentNational Science Foundation Strategic Plan. Projects are investigator-driven and must include researchers from at least two EPSCoR eligible jurisdictions with complementary expertise and resources necessary to address challenges, which neither party could address as well or as rapidly independently. FEC projects have a comprehensive and integrated vision to drive discovery and build sustainable STEM capacity that exemplifies institutional, geographic, and disciplinary diversity. The projects’ STEM research and education activities seek to broaden participation through the strategic inclusion and integration of all individuals, institutions, and sectors. Additionally, EPSCoR recognizes that the development of early-career faculty is critical to sustaining and advancing research capacity.

Who can apply

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -<ul> <li><span>Institutions or organizations in jurisdictions that meet the EPSCoR</span><a href="https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/2022-06/EPSCoR%20Eligibility%20Table%20Fiscal%20Year%202023.pdf">eligibility</a><span>criteria.</span></li> <li><span>Institutions of higher education (PhD-granting and non-PhD-granting), acting on behalf of their faculty members, that are accredited in and have a campus in the United States, its territories, or possessions. Distinct academic campuses (e.g., that award their own degrees, have independent administrative structures, admissions policies, alumni associations, etc.) within multi-campus systems qualify as separate submission-eligible organizations. Campuses that plan to submit a proposal through the Sponsored Projects Office of other campuses or organizations should contact NSF to discuss eligibility as early as possible and at least six weeks before submitting such a proposal.</span></li> <li><span>Not-for-profit, non-degree-granting domestic U.S. organizations, acting on behalf of their employees, that include (but are not limited to) independent museums and science centers, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations that are directly associated with the Nation's research or educational activities. These organizations must have an independent, permanent administrative organization (e.g., an office of sponsored research) located in the United States, its territories, or possessions, and have 501(c)(3) tax status.</span></li> <li><span>Tribal Governments with the governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a, et seq.) or Indigenous communities that are not recognized by the Federally Recognized Indian…

How to apply

Applications go through the official government listing. Grants Radar links you straight to the source — applying is free.

View on Grants.gov   Full announcement

Agency contact: U.S. National Science Foundation · [email protected] · 703-292-4203

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