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

The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems (E-CORE), managed by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Office of Integrative Activities, supports the enhancement of research capacity and infrastructure in jurisdictions eligible under the EPSCoR program. This funding initiative builds upon the foundation of earlier EPSCoR efforts and aligns with federal legislation such as the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The primary purpose of E-CORE is to help EPSCoR jurisdictions cultivate interconnected research ecosystems by funding research "cores" that meet locally-identified strategic needs, strengthen the STEM workforce, and position jurisdictions for increased competitiveness in national research arenas. The program is specifically structured to support research ecosystems by enabling the development, enhancement, and sustainability of jurisdiction-wide infrastructure. These include areas such as research administration, STEM education pathways, higher education, workforce development, national and global partnerships, and broadening participation in STEM. Each funded project must contain an Administrative Core, which serves as the managerial and strategic backbone of the initiative, fostering collaboration, integration, and sustainability. Projects may also include additional cores that target specific aspects such as K-12 STEM education, economic development, or facilities enhancement, provided these align with jurisdictional priorities. Funding is awarded through cooperative agreements with an anticipated total of $37.5 million available annually to support up to 15 new E-CORE awards. Each award covers a four-year project period with a maximum of $10 million, and recipients may apply for a four-year renewal award of up to $8 million based on progress and performance. No-cost extensions are rare and must be well justified. Awards will be contingent upon the successful annual review of progress, with evaluation guided by project milestones, a strategic plan approved by NSF, and jurisdiction-wide impact. A logic model or theory of change, including measurable goals and a data-driven assessment strategy, must be included with the proposal. Applicants must be from EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions and can include U.S. institutions of higher education, certain nonprofits, tribal governments, and jurisdictional/state governments. Projects must include multi-organization collaborations, with each collaborating entity represented by a PI, co-PI, or senior personnel. Lead applicants must not be current lead recipients of active E-CORE or RII Track-1 awards unless those awards are ending and not being renewed. A jurisdictional Science & Technology (S&T) Plan and a functioning Jurisdictional Steering Committee are also required for proposal submission. Proposals must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov by July 15, 2025, and annually on the third Tuesday of July thereafter. Letters of Intent and Preliminary Proposals are not required. Each submission must include detailed budget justifications, documentation of participating personnel and organizations, letters of collaboration (limited to ten), and verification of jurisdictional S&T Plan approval. The review process includes NSF’s standard merit review criteria—Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts—plus program-specific criteria focused on jurisdictional relevance, broadening participation, and collaborative management. Questions regarding the program can be directed to a team of NSF program officers, including Chinonye Nnakwe Whitley (cwhitley@nsf.gov, 703-292-8458), Benjamin J. McCall (bjmccall@nsf.gov, 703-292-7916), and others listed in the official solicitation. Successful awardees are expected to engage in NSF-organized strategic planning, data collection through the EPSCoR Data Outcomes Collection System (EDOCS), and ongoing collaboration with the jurisdiction’s Steering Committee and related jurisdictional research initiatives.

Emphasize sustainability beyond the award period, maintain alignment with jurisdictional S&T plan, and ensure clear coordination with the Steering Committee.