Abstract collage of science-related imagery

EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems (E-CORE)

View guidelines

NSF 25-523

Supports the strengthening of jurisdiction-wide research ecosystems by fostering interconnected networks and building research infrastructure to grow research capacity and competitiveness aligned with jurisdictional priorities.

Supports the strengthening of jurisdiction-wide research ecosystems by fostering interconnected networks and building research infrastructure to grow research capacity and competitiveness aligned with jurisdictional priorities.

Synopsis

The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) supports the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) mission by promoting nationwide scientific progress. Through this program, NSF fosters partnerships among academic institutions, government entities, industry, and non-profits. These collaborations aim to drive long-term improvements in research infrastructure, enhance R&D capacity, and boost the research competitiveness of eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions, including states, territories, and commonwealths.

A jurisdiction’s research ecosystem is the interconnected network of organizations, researchers, trainees, community stakeholders, and resources that contribute to the process of research and innovation that advances fundamental knowledge, generates use-inspired products, and ultimately cultivates beneficial impacts for a jurisdiction.  E-CORE supports jurisdictions in building significant and sustainable research capacity and research infrastructure for targeted areas of focus, hereinafter referred to as “cores,” that underlie a jurisdiction's research ecosystem. 

Based on the evidence-based and self-identified needs of a jurisdiction, the types of cores supported by E-CORE may include (but are not limited to) development, enhancement, and/or ensuring the sustainability of: research administration; research facilities and infrastructure (including cyberinfrastructure); STEM education (K-12) pathways; higher education pathways; early career investigator pathways; broadening participation; workforce development; national and global partnerships; community engagement and outreach; technology transfer; economic development; and use-inspired research pathways. E-CORE projects must be designed to support the sustainability of the research infrastructure cores beyond the award period.  Projects will also support the development and growth of new jurisdiction-wide connections, and the leveraging of existing jurisdiction-wide connections, to drive substantive and sustainable impacts.

Program contacts

Name Email Phone Organization
Chinonye Nnakwe Whitley
cwhitley@nsf.gov (703) 292-8458 OD/OIA
Benjamin J. McCall
bjmccall@nsf.gov (703) 292-7916 OD/OIA
Pinhas Ben-Tzvi
pbentzvi@nsf.gov (703) 292-8246 OD/OIA
Lisa C. Cliggett
lcligget@nsf.gov (703) 292-2759 OD/OIA
Jose Colom-Ustariz
jcolom@nsf.gov (703) 292-7088 OD/OIA
Andrea Johnson
ANDJOHNS@nsf.gov (703) 292-5164 OD/OIA
Casonya M. Johnson
casjohns@nsf.gov (703)292-2658 OD/OIA
Hongmei Luo
hluo@nsf.gov (703) 292-8867 OD/OIA
Jeanne R. Small
jsmall@nsf.gov (703) 292-8623 OD/OIA

Awards made through this program

Browse projects funded by this program
Map of recent awards made through this program