Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track-4: EPSCoR Research Fellows Opportunity (NSF 23-535)

Is a non-tenured full professor, non-tenured research assistant professor, or lecturer eligible to apply for the RII Track-4 EPSCoR Research Fellows opportunity?

The PI must be able to build sustainable research capacity at the home institution during and beyond the fellowship, which generally takes three years or more. Non-tenured full professors, non-tenured research assistant professors, or lecturers are eligible to apply for this opportunity if they have a long-term appointment. A letter from an administrative manager at the home institution is required to verify PI eligibility.

Is there template language that should be used for letters submitted as supplementary documents?

There is no template language for letters submitted as supplementary documents for either RII Track-4:NSF or RII Track-4:@NASA. However, Section V. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions of the solicitation provides specifics on required details for submitted letters.

Is there a required minimum distance between the home institution and the host institution?

While there is no required minimum distance between the home and host institutions, fellowship support is intended to provide opportunities for PIs to establish and grow collaborations that would not otherwise be possible without the fellowship. As such, the home institution cannot be the host institution. Additionally, for instances where the host institution is within a reasonable daily commuting distance from the home institution via use of standard transportation for the area, PIs are strongly encouraged to provide additional justification to support the fellowship need to grow the research collaboration.