National Science Foundation

1
National Science Foundation Directorate for
Education and Human Resources
2
EPSCoRs Origins
NSFs 1989 statutory authority, Sec. 113.(a) of
Miscellaneous Law 42 U.S.C. 182g,
authorizes the Director to operate an
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research (EPSCoR) to assist less competitive
states that

• Have historically received little federal
  research and development funding and
• Have demonstrated a commitment to develop their
  research bases and improve science and
  engineering (SE) research and education programs
  at their universities and colleges.

3
(No Transcript)
4
EPSCoRs Strategy
Quality within ContextTo view each EPSCoR
participant within the context of its stage of
development and to support only focused,
high-quality ST enhancement activities Added
ValueTo support only those activities that add
significant value to the existing ST enterprise
SustainabilityTo ultimately create a ST
infrastructure that will allow EPSCoR
institutions and researchers to transition into
the mainstream of Federal RD support
5
Operating Principles

• AccountabilityEstablish merit review at all
  levels with emphasis on the value added to
  existing circumstances. Both ST and management
  program accountability emphasized at all levels.
• PartnershipsPromote establishment of
  Government-university-private sector partnerships
  designed to meet State and national ST needs.
• ResourcesEncourage significant non-Federal
  investment in ST that will allow States and the
  Federal Government to share both the risks and
  rewards of academic RD development.

6
EPSCoR Investments
EPSCoR investments are consistent with NSFs Core
Strategies develop intellectual capital
strengthen the physical infrastructure integrate
research and education and promote partnerships.
Co-Funding InitiativeJoint support of proposals
submitted by researchers in EPSCoR States to the
Foundations ongoing grant programs Research
Infrastructure Improvement (RII)36-48 month
awards of up to 9 million total. A 50 matching
share is required over the term of the
award. OutreachSupport of outreach visits by
NSF program and professional staff to acquaint
researchers in EPSCoR States with NSF programs,
priorities, and policies
7
OPP Co-Funding Statistics (1999-2003)
Year of Awards EPSCoR (in millions) Program (in millions)
1999 4 0.3 0.4
2000 4 0.3 1.5
2001 10 1.9 5.5
2002 9 1.2 1.5
2003 10 1.0 0.8
Total 37 4.7 9.7
8
EPSCoR Office Staff

• Sherry Farwell EPSCoR Office Head
• Program StaffPatricia FergusonSimona
  GilbertJane HarringtonMartha L. JamesJulio
  Lopez-FerraoKaren Sandberg
• Office Telephone [phone]
• Website http//www.ehr.nsf.gov/EPSCoR