Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR): Workshop Opportunities

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released solicitation NSF 24-540 for the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR): Workshop Opportunities (EPS-WO). EPSCoR was established to broaden the geographic distribution of NSF funding by strengthening research capacity in jurisdictions that have traditionally received smaller proportions of NSF research funding. The purpose of the EPS-WO program is to support workshops that advance the EPSCoR mission by fostering new collaborations, addressing topics of national or regional importance, and enhancing the competitiveness of EPSCoR jurisdictions in science and engineering research. The EPS-WO program provides opportunities for academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and Tribal Nations within EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions to propose workshops that convene researchers, educators, and stakeholders around targeted scientific themes. Proposals must demonstrate how the workshop will advance the goals of EPSCoR, such as strengthening research infrastructure, enhancing workforce development, and broadening participation in STEM. Topics may include emerging areas of science and engineering, exploration of national priorities, or the creation of center-level partnerships. Each workshop should produce tangible outcomes, such as reports, dissemination plans, and strategies for future collaborations. Workshops can be held in person, virtually, or in hybrid formats. Applicants are encouraged to engage diverse participants across career stages and institutions. Proposals should include a clear rationale, goals, anticipated products, and evidence of EPSCoR community interest. Each workshop must also include an evaluation plan to assess success and a dissemination plan to ensure broad communication of outcomes. Allowable costs include participant support, travel, and other standard expenses associated with convening workshops. However, funds cannot be budgeted for activities outside of EPSCoR jurisdictions, except for speaker travel expenses from non-EPSCoR institutions. Awards will be made as standard NSF grants, with up to 20 awards expected annually. Applicants may request up to $200,000 for a workshop project, with total program funding anticipated at $1,500,000 for the fiscal year. Each award is funded for a period of up to one year. Cost sharing is prohibited, and no matching requirement applies. Proposals must follow NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), including requirements for conference proposals. Submission of a Concept Outline is mandatory prior to being invited by an NSF EPSCoR Program Officer to submit a full proposal. Eligibility is restricted to institutions in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions, which include specific states, territories, and commonwealths designated by NSF based on historical funding levels. Eligible organizations include accredited institutions of higher education, non-profit research and educational organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and federally recognized Tribal Nations. There are no restrictions on who may serve as Principal Investigator, and organizations may submit multiple proposals. Individuals, for-profit businesses, and governments are not eligible unless they meet the above conditions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with proposals accepted at any time. Concept Outlines may be submitted via email to nsfepscor@nsf.gov or directly to a listed Program Officer. The review process considers NSF’s merit review criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, as well as EPSCoR-specific goals such as fostering multi-jurisdictional collaborations and enhancing diversity in STEM. Funding decisions typically take six months from proposal submission. Successful awards will require reporting through Research.gov, including annual and final project reports, and publicly accessible workshop reports must be posted by the hosting jurisdiction. For additional information, applicants may contact Pinhas Ben-Tzvi at (703) 292-8246 or pbentzvi@nsf.gov, or Benjamin J. McCall at (703) 292-7916 or bjmccall@nsf.gov. Proposals can be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov following NSF guidelines. This program represents a critical opportunity for EPSCoR jurisdictions to strengthen their research ecosystems, expand collaboration networks, and position themselves to compete more effectively for future NSF funding opportunities.