EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program Track 3 Building Diverse Communities | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program Track 3, titled "Building Diverse Communities" (NSF 13-553), is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to strengthen the long-term research and development competitiveness of EPSCoR jurisdictions by expanding who participates in STEM. EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) is NSF's major capacity-building effort in historically underfunded regions, and this Track 3 competition builds on prior investments by focusing specifically on broadening participation and connecting communities and sectors that shape scientific and economic outcomes. The central idea is that sustained improvements in a jurisdiction's research competitiveness depend not only on funding and facilities, but also on building stronger, more inclusive talent pipelines and support systems that bring more people into STEM and help them thrive.

The opportunity targets 28 EPSCoR-eligible states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming), plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Within those jurisdictions, the program encourages proposals that create novel and innovative mechanisms for engaging diverse communities in scientific discovery and workforce development. In practice, this means projects that do more than run isolated activities; they are expected to build networks and partnerships across multiple sectors of society, such as universities, community colleges, K-12 systems, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry, and community-based organizations. The aim is to create coordinated, sustainable approaches that broaden participation and strengthen the overall STEM ecosystem in an EPSCoR jurisdiction.

Funding is provided through grants, with awards offering up to $750,000 per project for up to five years. NSF anticipated making about five awards under this specific solicitation, and the estimated total funding listed is $750,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for the opportunity, which can reduce barriers for eligible organizations that may not have large discretionary funds to contribute. The assistance listing includes CFDA number 47.081, associated with the NSF EPSCoR office (Office of Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research).

Programmatically, Track 3 is anchored in a broadening participation goal: increasing involvement of groups that have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields supported by NSF. The solicitation explicitly highlights underrepresented minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and individuals in underserved rural regions. While projects can take many forms, the thrust is toward building "diverse communities" that are connected to STEM research and innovation, not just through outreach but through meaningful participation, preparation, mentoring, and pathways into advanced study and STEM careers. A strong proposal under this kind of program typically emphasizes systemic change, cross-institution collaboration, and measurable outcomes that can persist beyond the grant period, aligning participation goals with the longer-term competitiveness of the jurisdiction's research enterprise.

Eligibility is limited to academic institutions or organizations located in jurisdictions that meet EPSCoR eligibility criteria for RII. Proposals must come from those eligible jurisdictions, and principal investigators must be affiliated with research universities, agencies, or organizations within the participating jurisdiction. The solicitation notes that eligibility details are clarified in an "Additional Information on Eligibility" section and refers to NSF EPSCoR eligibility criteria documentation for the applicable fiscal year.

In terms of timing and administrative details, the opportunity was posted April 15, 2013, with a full proposal deadline of July 10, 2013. The archive date is August 10, 2013, indicating the competition has closed, but the description remains useful as a reference point for how NSF framed Track 3 goals and expectations. For access issues, the notice points applicants to NSF's Grants.gov support (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) and references the full announcement as NSF Publication 13-553.

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