Opportunity Information: Apply for 16 557
Apply for 16 557
- The NSF in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program Track-1:" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083,.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 01, 2016 and posted on Apr 01, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 02, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $28,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program Track-1 (RII Track-1) is a competitive grant opportunity meant to strengthen research capacity in U.S. states, territories, and jurisdictions that historically receive a relatively small share of NSF research funding. EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) exists to advance NSF's broader mission of promoting scientific progress across the entire country, not just in places with long-established research advantages. A jurisdiction can participate if its NSF research support is at or below 0.75 percent of NSF's total research and related activities budget when averaged over the most recent three-year period, based on the official eligibility table referenced by NSF.
The central purpose of Track-1 is long-term, sustainable improvement in a jurisdiction's research ecosystem and competitiveness. NSF frames this as building research infrastructure and increasing overall Research and Development (R&D) capacity so that the jurisdiction can compete more successfully for future federal and other research funding. Rather than funding a single narrow research project, the program emphasizes coordinated, jurisdiction-level efforts that raise the baseline capabilities of institutions and research teams. The program is built around partnerships that typically involve state or territorial government, higher education institutions, and industry, with the idea that durable gains in competitiveness require alignment across these sectors.
Funding under RII Track-1 is sizable and multi-year, reflecting the infrastructure-building focus. Awards are designed to support improvements across physical infrastructure (such as research equipment, facilities, or shared core resources), human infrastructure (such as faculty development, research workforce training, mentoring systems, and efforts to attract and retain talent), and cyberinfrastructure (such as data systems, computing capabilities, networking, and other digital research capacity). The research areas supported are not chosen by NSF in advance; instead, they are selected by the jurisdiction's EPSCoR steering committee, which is expected to identify areas with the strongest potential to increase the jurisdiction's future R&D competitiveness. In other words, the state or jurisdiction makes a strategic bet on a set of research strengths and uses Track-1 funds to build the infrastructure and collaborations needed to make those strengths nationally competitive.
As posted, the opportunity is a discretionary NSF grant program in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. It was published on April 1, 2016, and had a closing date of August 2, 2016. The listing references multiple NSF CFDA numbers (including 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, and others), indicating that proposals may align with a range of NSF directorates and disciplines depending on the jurisdiction's selected research focus. The eligibility field is labeled broadly as "Others" with direction to consult NSF's additional eligibility guidance, which is typical for EPSCoR because eligibility depends heavily on jurisdiction status and the structure of the proposing coalition.
In practical terms, Track-1 is best understood as a large, coordinated investment intended to change the trajectory of research competitiveness for EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions. It supports strategic planning and execution at scale, encourages cross-sector partnerships, and prioritizes infrastructure that can outlast the award period and lead to sustained increases in research performance and external funding success.
NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 (Research Infrastructure Improvement) FAQ
What is the NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program Track-1 (RII Track-1)?
RII Track-1 is a competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity designed to strengthen long-term research capacity and competitiveness in U.S. states, territories, and jurisdictions that historically receive a relatively small share of NSF research funding. It focuses on building research infrastructure and improving a jurisdiction's overall R&D capability rather than funding a single, narrow research project.
What does EPSCoR stand for, and why does it exist?
EPSCoR stands for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. It exists to support NSF's mission of promoting scientific progress across the entire country, including jurisdictions that do not have long-established advantages in research funding and infrastructure.
Who is this opportunity intended to benefit?
This opportunity is intended to benefit EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions (states, territories, and jurisdictions) by improving their research ecosystems and helping them compete more successfully for future federal and other research funding.
How does a jurisdiction qualify as EPSCoR-eligible for Track-1?
A jurisdiction can participate if its NSF research support is at or below 0.75 percent of NSF's total research and related activities budget, averaged over the most recent three-year period, based on the official NSF eligibility table referenced by NSF.
What is the central purpose of RII Track-1 awards?
The central purpose is long-term, sustainable improvement in a jurisdiction's research ecosystem and competitiveness. NSF frames this as building research infrastructure and increasing overall R&D capacity so that the jurisdiction can compete more successfully for future research funding.
Does Track-1 fund a single research project?
No. Track-1 emphasizes coordinated, jurisdiction-level efforts meant to raise baseline research capabilities across institutions and teams. The intent is infrastructure-building and broad capacity enhancement rather than supporting one narrowly defined research project.
What kinds of partnerships does the program emphasize?
The program is built around partnerships that typically involve state or territorial government, higher education institutions, and industry. The idea is that durable, long-term gains in competitiveness require alignment and collaboration across these sectors.
What types of infrastructure can Track-1 support?
Track-1 is designed to support improvements across:
- Physical infrastructure (for example, research equipment, facilities, and shared core resources)
- Human infrastructure (for example, faculty development, research workforce training, mentoring systems, and efforts to attract and retain talent)
- Cyberinfrastructure (for example, data systems, computing capabilities, networking, and other digital research capacity)
Who chooses the research areas or topics for a Track-1 proposal?
The research areas are not chosen by NSF in advance. Instead, they are selected by the jurisdiction's EPSCoR steering committee, which is expected to identify areas with the strongest potential to increase the jurisdiction's future R&D competitiveness.
How should Track-1 be viewed in practical terms?
Track-1 is best understood as a large, coordinated investment intended to change the trajectory of research competitiveness for an EPSCoR-eligible jurisdiction. It supports strategic planning and execution at scale and prioritizes infrastructure and collaborations intended to outlast the award period.
Is this a mandatory or discretionary grant program?
As posted, this is a discretionary NSF grant program.
What is the category of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is listed in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.
When was this opportunity published and when did it close?
It was published on April 1, 2016, and had a closing date of August 2, 2016.
What CFDA numbers are referenced, and what do they imply?
The listing references multiple NSF CFDA numbers (including 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, and others). This indicates proposals may align with a range of NSF directorates and disciplines, depending on the research focus selected by the jurisdiction.
What does the eligibility field "Others" mean here?
The eligibility field is labeled broadly as "Others" with direction to consult NSF's additional eligibility guidance. This is described as typical for EPSCoR because eligibility depends heavily on jurisdiction status and the structure of the proposing coalition.
What outcomes is NSF trying to achieve through Track-1?
NSF is aiming for sustainable increases in research performance and external funding success by building infrastructure, strengthening collaborations, and improving the jurisdiction's ability to compete for future federal and other research awards.
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