Building EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory Partnerships

The Building EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory Partnerships grant program, offered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science (DOE SC), is designed to strengthen collaborative research relationships between academic institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions and DOE National Laboratories. EPSCoR, or the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, aims to enhance the geographic distribution of federally funded research and increase research competitiveness across designated states and territories. This funding opportunity is part of DOE’s broader mission to support cutting-edge energy-related research and technological innovation while expanding access to federal research funding in historically underrepresented regions. The primary goal of this initiative is to support fundamental, early-stage scientific research that aligns with the missions of the DOE’s Office of Science and various Applied Energy Offices. Proposals must include partnerships between eligible academic institutions and DOE National Laboratories, with an emphasis on student and early-career researcher engagement. The program mandates the involvement of undergraduate or graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows in the proposed research and encourages early-career faculty participation. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to utilize DOE’s user facilities where appropriate to advance their scientific objectives. Eligible research topics span a broad range of scientific areas, including but not limited to Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Biological and Environmental Research, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, and programs within the Applied Energy Offices such as Cybersecurity, Environmental Management, Nuclear Energy, and more. Importantly, the collaborative research must be situated within an EPSCoR jurisdiction or at a DOE National Laboratory, and EPSCoR funds cannot be used to support DOE Laboratory staff or facilities directly. Research must be of public benefit, fundamental in nature, and not tied to commercial activity. Eligibility is limited to domestic applicants from EPSCoR jurisdictions. These include specific U.S. states and territories such as Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, and others. Organizations must be located within these jurisdictions to receive funding. While for-profit and non-profit entities may apply, their teams must include an academic partner from an eligible area. Moreover, the lead institution must perform the majority of the research work, and collaborative proposals involving multiple entities must use a subaward structure under a single lead application. DOE National Laboratories, other federal agencies, and non-DOE FFRDCs are ineligible to apply or serve as subrecipients. The application process includes a mandatory pre-application step due by March 18, 2026, with a response on encouragement or discouragement expected by April 8, 2026. Full applications are due by May 21, 2026, and must be submitted via Grants.gov. Pre-applications are submitted through DOE's PAMS system and must include a title page, a brief project description, and a list of senior personnel. Only those pre-applications deemed responsive and competitive will be encouraged to proceed with a full application. DOE strongly recommends early submission and encourages applicants to coordinate with the relevant technical contacts listed for each eligible program area. Awards are expected to range from $600,000 to $1,000,000 per project for up to four years, with approximately 30–35 awards anticipated and a total program funding of $35 million. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. Applications will be evaluated based on scientific merit, approach, investigator qualifications, budget appropriateness, data sharing plans, and the potential for productive collaboration with DOE National Laboratories. Additionally, letters of commitment from laboratory partners and institutional supporters are required to demonstrate collaboration and local support. Notification of selection for award negotiations is anticipated by June 2026, with awards expected to begin around August 1, 2026. Performance periods may extend up to four years, typically structured with one initial budget period of 18 months followed by three 10-month periods. The DOE encourages applicants to prioritize equipment needs early in their budget planning to maximize utility across the full project term. This funding opportunity is recurring and supports the DOE’s commitment to scientific excellence, workforce development, and equitable access to federal research funding across the nation.

Emphasize collaboration with national labs, student engagement, and institutional support. Early career researchers encouraged. Strong project management and public benefit alignment are key review criteria.