EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems Research Infrastructure Improvement Program | 23 587

NSF EPSCoR E-CORE RII (NSF 23-587) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NSF EPSCoR E-CORE Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) program?

The EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems (E-CORE) Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) program is an NSF grant opportunity focused on strengthening long-term research capacity and competitiveness within EPSCoR-eligible U.S. states, territories, and commonwealths. The emphasis is on improving the underlying systems that enable research across an entire jurisdiction, rather than funding a single standalone research project.

2) What is the main goal of E-CORE RII?

The main goal is to build a stronger, more connected STEM research ecosystem in jurisdictions that have historically received a smaller share of federal research funding. E-CORE RII aims for sustained, jurisdiction-level improvements that make research more competitive over time.

3) What does NSF mean by a "jurisdiction-focused" opportunity?

"Jurisdiction-focused" means the proposal should be designed to strengthen research capacity across an entire EPSCoR-eligible jurisdiction (such as a state, territory, or commonwealth), not just within a single department, lab, or institution. The program expects outcomes that are durable and demonstrable across the jurisdiction's broader research ecosystem.

4) Does E-CORE RII fund individual research projects?

E-CORE RII is not framed as support for a single isolated research project. Instead, it prioritizes sustainable improvements to research infrastructure cores such as partnerships, processes, facilities, pathways, and coordination mechanisms that enable competitive research and development across the jurisdiction.

5) What are "research infrastructure cores" in this program?

Research infrastructure cores are targeted areas a jurisdiction identifies as priorities based on evidence and local need. These cores can be organizational, operational, physical, educational, or network-based components that collectively improve research competitiveness and capacity.

6) What kinds of activities or areas can E-CORE RII support?

Based on the provided opportunity description, supported areas may include:

• Strengthening jurisdiction-wide research administration (for example: grant development support, compliance, data systems, shared services, and proposal coordination)
• Enhancing or sustaining research facilities and shared instrumentation
• Developing higher education and STEM education pathways, including K-16 pipelines
• Broadening participation in STEM
• Building workforce development systems aligned with research and industry needs
• Forming or expanding national and global partnerships
• Improving community engagement and outreach
• Supporting economic development and use-inspired research that connects discoveries to real-world outcomes
• Creating pathways for early-career researchers and trainees

7) What does the program require regarding sustainability?

A key requirement is that proposed work cannot be temporary or one-off. Proposals are expected to show how the selected infrastructure core(s) will be sustained beyond the award period. The program is looking for lasting institutional and jurisdiction-level change rather than short-lived activities.

8) What is meant by "jurisdictional networks" and why are they important?

E-CORE RII expects projects to actively develop and strengthen jurisdictional networks. This includes creating new networks where gaps exist and leveraging existing networks where they already function. NSF is looking for collaborations that reduce fragmentation, share resources, align priorities, and build durable connections across institutions and sectors within the jurisdiction.

9) How does the program define a "STEM research ecosystem"?

In this program, a STEM research ecosystem is framed broadly as the full set of interactions among researchers, institutions, stakeholders, and STEM activities that expand knowledge and/or lead to societal or end-use impacts within the jurisdiction.

10) Who is eligible to apply for E-CORE RII?

Eligibility is limited to organizations located in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions that meet NSF EPSCoR eligibility criteria. The opportunity description also lists specific eligible applicant types (such as certain higher education institutions, certain non-profit organizations, and Tribal Governments).

11) What types of organizations are eligible applicants?

Eligible applicant types described in the opportunity include:

• Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (PhD-granting and non-PhD-granting) with a campus in the U.S. or its territories or possessions
• Certain domestic U.S. non-profit, non-degree-granting organizations with an independent, permanent administrative presence in the U.S. and 501(c)(3) status (for example: museums, science centers, observatories, research labs, and professional societies tied to research or education)
• Tribal Governments, including federally recognized tribes and certain Indigenous communities not recognized under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act

12) Can a campus within a multi-campus system apply on its own?

Yes. The solicitation notes that distinct degree-granting campuses within multi-campus systems may be treated as separate eligible institutions.

13) Is there any restriction related to current or pending EPSCoR RII Track-1 awards?

Yes. The submitting institution or organization must not currently have a collaborating role in a current or potentially pending EPSCoR RII Track-1 award, unless that Track-1 award is in its final year.

14) Are proposals required to be collaborative?

Yes. Proposals are expected to be collaborative by design. Submissions should be multi-institutional or multi-organizational, led by one institution or organization and supported by partners that may include academic and non-academic entities.

15) Do partners have to be academic institutions?

No. The opportunity description explicitly notes that partners can include both academic and non-academic entities, as long as the collaboration supports jurisdiction-wide infrastructure improvements and network development.

16) Does NSF require participation by Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) or minority-serving institutions (MSIs)?

The opportunity states that NSF encourages, though does not strictly require, that the lead organization or at least one partner be an Emerging Research Institution (as defined in 42 USC 18901, generally institutions with established programs but under $50 million in federal research expenditures) and/or a minority-serving institution (such as an HBCU, HSI, TCU, or other institution serving significant numbers of underrepresented students as defined by the U.S. Department of Education).

17) What is the expected focus of the collaboration in an E-CORE RII proposal?

The collaboration should clearly demonstrate how it will build or enhance the selected infrastructure core(s) and how it will create an inclusive, jurisdiction-wide network capable of connecting major research efforts and people across the ecosystem.

18) What is the opportunity number and closing date?

The opportunity number is NSF 23-587, and the listed closing date is July 8, 2025.

19) What is the funding category and CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The posting identifies this as an NSF discretionary grant opportunity in the science and technology and other research and development category, with CFDA 47.083.

20) Does the provided information include the award ceiling or the expected number of awards?

No. The excerpt does not provide a specific award ceiling or an expected number of awards.

21) When should organizations confirm eligibility with NSF EPSCoR, especially for multi-campus submissions?

The solicitation indicates that organizations planning to submit through another campus or sponsored projects office should engage NSF EPSCoR early, ideally at least six weeks before submission, to confirm eligibility.

22) What kinds of outcomes is NSF looking for from E-CORE RII projects?

Based on the description provided, NSF is looking for strategic, ecosystem-level infrastructure improvements that can be sustained and that measurably strengthen a jurisdiction's ability to compete for research funding, conduct impactful STEM research, and translate that capacity into broader benefits for the jurisdiction.