Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Building EPSCoR State/National Laboratory Partnerships | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the EPSCoR Building EPSCoR State/National Laboratory Partnerships opportunity?

This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) funding opportunity under the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). It supports collaborative, research-driven partnerships between investigators in DOE EPSCoR-eligible states/territories and researchers at DOE National Laboratories and related DOE entities, with the goal of strengthening long-term, nationally competitive energy research capacity in EPSCoR jurisdictions.

2) What is the main purpose of this program?

The program is designed to build durable connections and research capabilities in EPSCoR jurisdictions that historically receive a smaller share of federal research funding. The emphasis is on creating sustained, competitive research capacity through integrated partnerships, rather than funding isolated, one-off projects.

3) What kind of research does DOE expect proposals to focus on?

The focus is fundamental, energy-oriented scientific and engineering research aligned with DOE BES interests. Proposals should be research-driven and structured to strengthen long-term capabilities and collaborations in fundamental energy science and engineering.

4) What partnerships are required under this opportunity?

Proposals must pair investigators based in DOE EPSCoR-eligible states and territories with collaborators at DOE National Laboratories or related DOE entities. The National Laboratories are treated broadly here to include laboratory facilities, centers, information repositories, and the Energy Information Administration.

5) What does DOE mean by "National Laboratories" in this announcement?

In this opportunity, "National Laboratories" is used as an umbrella term that includes DOE National Laboratories and related DOE entities such as laboratory facilities, centers, information repositories, or the Energy Information Administration.

6) Are students or postdoctoral researchers required to be part of the project?

Yes. A defining feature of this opportunity is required involvement of trainees. Proposals must include participation by students and/or postdoctoral fellows, reflecting both research goals and workforce development objectives.

7) How should trainees be incorporated into the proposal?

Based on the announcement, trainee involvement should be more than nominal. Competitive applications typically include defined research tasks for students/postdocs, mentoring and training plans, and clear professional development value within the collaboration.

8) Does the announcement encourage applications from junior faculty?

Yes. The announcement explicitly encourages applications from junior faculty in EPSCoR jurisdictions, consistent with the EPSCoR mission of helping investigators and institutions develop collaborations, experience, and competitive capacity at the national level.

9) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching.

10) What is the funding mechanism and program classification?

This is a discretionary grant funding opportunity in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, associated with CFDA number 81.049 (Office of Science Financial Assistance Program).

11) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-PS02-09ER09-11.

12) When was the opportunity posted, and what was the application deadline?

It was posted on April 23, 2009. The application closing date was November 9, 2009.

13) Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was later archived on August 23, 2010.

14) Which DOE office and program area sponsor this opportunity?

The opportunity is sponsored by the DOE Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES), under DOE EPSCoR.

15) Which service center is associated with this announcement?

The announcement is associated with the DOE Chicago Service Center.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad across domestic applicant types, as long as the applicant is located in (or otherwise meets eligibility for) a designated DOE EPSCoR jurisdiction and is not part of an excluded category.

17) Which applicant types are explicitly excluded?

The announcement excludes: other federal agencies; Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors; and certain nonprofit organizations classified under IRS section 501(c)(4) that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.

18) What EPSCoR eligibility rules apply to jurisdictions?

DOE EPSCoR follows National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR eligibility criteria. Only applicants from designated EPSCoR jurisdictions are eligible under this announcement.

19) Which states and territories are listed as eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions?

The announcement lists the following eligible jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

20) What is the special note about Iowa and Utah?

The announcement describes a pathway for Iowa and Utah: applicants from those states were invited to submit preapplications in anticipation of their states completing NSF EPSCoR eligibility steps prior to July 30, 2009, contingent on state EPSCoR committee actions with NSF.

21) What would a competitive application generally be expected to demonstrate?

Based on the description, a competitive application would clearly define a joint, integrated research effort where both the EPSCoR-jurisdiction team and the National Laboratory collaborators have meaningful roles. It should also show how the partnership strengthens the EPSCoR institution(s), including transfer of knowledge, expanded access to unique facilities or expertise, and a stronger track record in fundamental energy science and engineering.

22) Is the goal mainly research results, partnership capacity-building, or both?

Both. The program supports fundamental research, but it places strong emphasis on building durable collaborations, strengthening institutional capabilities, and developing a pipeline of trainees in energy-related science and engineering.

23) Who should applicants contact for submission system or access issues?

For access issues or submission-system problems, the announcement lists the IIPS HelpDesk at iipshelpdesk@e-center.doe.gov.

24) Who is the BES contact listed for this opportunity?

The announcement lists Pam Carter as a BES contact: pam.carter@science.doe.gov.

25) Does the announcement suggest DOE expected electronic submission?

Yes. The inclusion of the IIPS HelpDesk and submission-system support contacts indicates DOE expected applicants to use DOE electronic systems and provided support for technical barriers to applying.