NSF adds new opportunities in EPSCoR funding

three individuals standing in front of a research board

U.S. National Science Foundation funding available to its EPSCoR jurisdictions has risen in recent years. EPSCoR support aims to increase geographic diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (the “STEM” fields). New funding models from NSF change the way that EPSCoR’s scientific research and engagement are structured.

  • E-RISE (EPSCoR Research Incubators for STEM Excellence Research Infrastructure Improvement [RII]) is described in NSF 23-588. The E-RISE program will support research teams (maximum of $7 million for 4 years, plus renewal at a maximum of $4.5 million for 3 years) for a per-project total of $11.5M over 7 years.
  • E-CORE (NSF-23-587) supports research and outreach administration via project funding with a maximum amount of $2 million per year for 4 years, and renewable for another 4 years, for a total of $16 million possible per project over 8 years.

Prior longstanding NSF EPSCoR “Track-1” programs—most recently supporting Nebraska’s EQUATE, Emergent Quantum Materials and Technologies, for five years and $20 million in funding—are ending. The Track-1 structure is replaced by the NSF EPSCoR E-CORE and E-RISE programs. (Nebraska’s Track-1 project, EQUATE, ends May 31, 2026.)

Rules of E-CORE and E-RISE also include:

  • Current Track-1 recipients and collaborating institutions (EQUATE project participants Nebraska EPSCoR, University of Nebraska-Lincoln [UNL], University of Nebraska at Kearney [UNK], University of Nebraska at Omaha [UNO], Creighton University [CU], Little Priest Tribal College [LPTC], and Nebraska Indian Community College [NICC]) cannot submit an E-CORE or E-RISE application until the final year of Nebraska's current Track-1 Award (2025), or when the jurisdiction no longer has a Track-1 Award.
  • An institution can serve as leader of only one E-CORE (or E-RISE) at any time. Therefore, if an E-RISE research topic award is successfully renewed after the initial 4 years, this award prevents the same institution from serving as the lead on a different E-RISE award for as many as 7 years (4-year initial award + 3-year renewal).

In addition, the new E-RISE and E-CORE rules enhance the role of an EPSCoR jurisdiction’s STATE COMMITTEE in the following ways:

  • E-CORE and E-RISE proposals must be multi-institutional, and proposals must be aligned with the jurisdiction’s Science and Technology Plan, approved by the standing State Committee.
  • To support such State Committee involvement, in E-CORE projects a minimum of 5% of the proposal budget must be allocated for that organization; e.g., if an E-CORE’s budget is $2 million/year overall, then $100,000 (5%) annually must be designated to support the relevant State Committee’s activities.

Nebraska EPSCoR Director Matt Andrews, Ph.D. offers the following advice for individuals/organizations seeking E-CORE/E-RISE participation:

Further NSF EPSCoR funding opportunities are listed here.