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EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems

Federal funding opportunity 25-523 from U.S. National Science Foundation.

Apply on Grants.gov →Application closes July 20, 2027

Posted
December 14, 2024
Closes
July 20, 2027
Program funding
$37,500,000
Cost sharing
No
Instrument
Grant
Assistance listing
47.083
Category
Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Archives
August 17, 2028

Program funding history

Awards made under Assistance Listing 47.083 across FY2024–FY2026, from public federal spending records.

FY2024 obligated
$463.6M
FY2025 obligated
$473.3M
FY2026 (to date) obligated
$133M
Awards in window
1,700

Top recipients: University of Oklahoma, Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, Regents of the University of Idaho, University of Delaware, University of Washington

Source: USAspending.gov · refreshed August 2026

Synopsis

The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) supports the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) mission by promoting nationwide scientific progress. Through this program, NSF fosters partnerships among academic institutions, government entities, industry, and non-profits. These collaborations aim to drive long-term improvements in research infrastructure, enhance R&D capacity, and boost the research competitiveness of eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions, including states, territories, and commonwealths. A jurisdiction’s research ecosystem is the interconnected network of organizations, researchers, trainees, community stakeholders, and resources that contribute to the process of research and innovation that advances fundamental knowledge, generates use-inspired products, and ultimately cultivates beneficial impacts for a jurisdiction. E-CORE supports jurisdictions in building significant and sustainable research capacity and research infrastructure for targeted areas of focus, hereinafter referred to as “cores,” that underlie a jurisdiction's research ecosystem. Based on the evidence-based and self-identified needs of a jurisdiction, the types of cores supported by E-CORE may include (but are not limited to) development, enhancement, and/or ensuring the sustainability of: research administration; research facilities and infrastructure (including cyberinfrastructure); STEM education (K-12) pathways; higher education pathways; early career investigator pathways; broadening participation; workforce development; national and global partnerships; community engagement and outreach; technology transfer; economic development; and use-inspired research pathways. E-CORE projects must be designed to support the sustainability of the research infrastructure cores beyond the award period. Projects will also support the development and growth of new jurisdiction-wide connections, and the leveraging of existing jurisdiction-wide connections, to drive substantive and sustainable impacts.

Who can apply

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -<ul> <li>Institutions of higher education (PhD- and non-PhD-granting) that are accredited and operate a campus within the United States, its territories, or possessions, may submit proposals on behalf of their faculty. <ul> <li>Distinct academic campuses within multi-campus systems (e.g., campuses that award their own degrees and have independent administrative structures, admissions policies, and alumni associations) qualify as separate submission-eligible institutions.</li> <li>Campuses that plan to submit a proposal through the Sponsored Projects Office of other campuses or organizations should contact NSF EPSCoR to discuss eligibility as early as possible and at least six weeks before submitting such a proposal.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Non-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&rsquo;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.<br /><br /></li> <li>Jurisdictional/state governments, or agencies or commissions thereof, when coordinating efforts of multiple organizations within the jurisdiction.<br /><br /></li> <li>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 Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a,…

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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