What is EPSCoR?

Responding to Congressional concerns about the unequal distribution of federal research dollars, the National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in 1978. Since then, NSF has undertaken EPSCoR programs in 19 states and Puerto Rico. In 1990, Congress called for other federal agencies to fund EPSCoR programs. EPSCoR grants are now appropriated by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DoD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Background of NASA EPSCoR

In 1994, NASA initiated its own version of EPSCoR through its Office of Human Resources and Education. This program targeted states of modest research infrastructure with funding to develop a more competitive research base within their member institutions and identified capable researchers in states that have not traditionally been strongly funded for Research and Development. As a result of the rigorous national competition, 1995 saw six states - Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana and Puerto Rico - awarded $500,000 annually. When NASA held a second solicitation in 1996, funding was provided to an additional four states - Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Carolina. Each award had 1:1 matching funds and was guaranteed for three years, with the possibility of an additional two-year renewal.

NASA EPSCoR research projects are closely related to one of NASA's four strategic enterprises: Aeronautics, Human Exploration and Development of Space, Mission to Planet Earth and Space Science. The project clusters collaborate frequently with NASA's field installations and program offices.

NASA EPSCoR encourages cooperation among departments, institutions, state and local government and business and industry. In addition to strengthening the research base of the state's academic institutions, EPSCoR’s achievements include the transfer of developed technology to industry, increased economic development of the participating states and keeping the public informed of current research. The NASA EPSCoR states emphasize the participation of underrepresented groups in all facets of their operations

While NASA EPSCoR operates concurrently with the National Space Grant program, they reach differently selected cross-sections of the state's potential researchers. Whereas EPSCoR emphasizes building research infrastructure and capacity, Space Grant emphasizes education and public service, as well as building research capacity. Both programs are managed from NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Additional States Awarded

In 2000, NASA’s Office of Human Resources and Education solicited proposals for the NASA EPSCoR 2000 program. This Request for Papers was initiated to strengthen the research capability of states that had not participated evenly in competitive aerospace research activities. The goal was to provide seed funding that would enable states to develop an academic research enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally competitive capabilities in aerospace research. This, in turn, would contribute to the state’s economic viability and expand the nation’s base for aerospace research and development. The ten additional states that competed and were awarded are Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Nevada’s Proposal Selection Process

Eight proposals were selected through the initial evaluation process and four investigators were asked to consider combining their research efforts to promote system-wide collaboration. The remaining six investigators were each asked to submit a comprehensive, five-page science proposal to the UCCSN EPSCoR Office, a budget and letters of commitment from UCCSN and NASA Center collaborators. An evaluation panel reviewed these six proposals and recommended the three finalists. Two of the finalists have received support for the past two years under the Preparation Grant process and one finalist entered the process as a consequence of the last system-wide announcement of funding opportunity. (See Research Projects)

Perhaps the most important criterion in the selection of the proposals was the development of statewide teams of investigators from different science and engineering backgrounds to participate in the EPSCoR 2000 proposal. This strategy addressed one of the key recommendations of a recent technology development study for the State. Because Nevada is relatively young in the development of its aerospace research capabilities, the selection committee felt that significant growth in NASA-related research would best occur if faculty from multiple institutions and multiple departments would work together in teams with their NASA collaborators. Accordingly, the screening committee looked favorably upon proposals that utilized the joint talents of researchers from different institutions. Secondly, we also selected investigations that had the best near-term potential for success and for graduating from NASA EPSCoR support in future years. The selected investigators, the Director of the UCCSN Space Grant Consortium and the Deputy Director of the System-Wide EPSCoR Office formed the final proposal writing team for development of the Core Proposal for Research Infrastructure Development. The final proposal was reviewed at the System level for continuity with UCCSN and State EPSCoR objectives.

Core Funding

We are increasing NASA interactions and solidifying collaborations for the investigators who were not originally selected in the initial EPSCoR 2000 proposal by using a competitive process for infrastructure development under the “Core” program. Areas that were rated highly in the screening process include: structure and evolution of the universe, planetary atmospheres, microgravity research with sounding rockets and simulation support for NASA X-vehicle development.

Some of Nevada’s Core funding is used in a competitive process to broaden interactions between faculty and students not previously involved in either NASA Space Grant or NASA EPSCoR. Core funding also provides travel support for faculty (and students) to visit NASA Centers and establish collaborations with NASA researchers during semester breaks, as well as assists faculty in spending sabbaticals or extended summer periods at NASA Centers for the purpose of defining new collaborative research opportunities. (See Research Projects)

General Overview

Through the EPSCoR 2000 program, Nevada is motivating many faculty and students into competing for research funding in the fields of aerospace sciences, technology and engineering. In 1990, our Space Grant Consortium proposal writing effort identified Nevada’s capabilities and unrealized potential for development of instructional and research programs in our University and Community College System. One of these areas is astrobiology and another is global environmental change. Both of these research areas were recognized in UCCSN system-wide planning efforts as having unrealized potential. Additionally, our proposal team identified that Nevada could develop competitive programs in remote sensing for study of planet Earth, aerospace engineering and astronomy and astrophysics.

To read more on the NASA/Nevada EPSCoR Vision, please link to: http://www.nevada.edu/epscor/SpacePlan.html

Visit the main Nevada EPSCoR webpage to learn more about the variety of projects being funded, the various funding agencies, news and so much more.