The EPSCoR Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (EPSCoR CREST Centers) program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), supports research centers in EPSCoR jurisdictions to enhance institutional research capacity and competitiveness in STEM fields. The program aims to advance knowledge, integrate education and research, and broaden participation in STEM disciplines. Awards are designed to enable institutions to achieve national competitiveness, strengthen faculty productivity, and support student participation in research, particularly individuals from underrepresented groups.

EPSCoR CREST Centers are funded in two phases. Phase I awards provide up to $7.5 million over five years for research on a specific NSF-supported topic. Institutions that have completed a Phase I award may compete for Phase II funding, which provides continued support for the same research focus with a strong emphasis on institutional transformation. Centers are expected to generate sustained funding from non-CREST sources, foster collaborations with other research entities, and contribute to workforce development through mentorship and education programs. A key requirement is to use evidence-based strategies to promote recruitment, retention, and professional development for diverse participants.

Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education located in EPSCoR jurisdictions that offer doctoral degrees in NSF-supported STEM disciplines and meet the definition of Emerging Research Institutions. These institutions must have less than $50 million in annual research expenditures in three of the last five years. Each institution may submit only one proposal per due date and may have only one active CREST Center award at a time. Institutions with previous awards may re-compete for funding in significantly different disciplinary areas.

Proposals must include a clear vision for the research center, three to five interrelated research subprojects, a robust management plan, and an evaluation plan led by an independent evaluator. The research activities should align with institutional priorities, demonstrate synergy across subprojects, and address issues of national significance in STEM. Collaborations with industry, national laboratories, and K-12 education systems are encouraged to enhance research and education outcomes. Proposals must also include plans for sustainability and institutional support, with letters of commitment from senior leadership.

Awards will be evaluated based on intellectual merit, broader impacts, and solicitation-specific criteria. These include the potential for the center to achieve national research competitiveness, increase representation in STEM, and provide innovative educational opportunities. Reviewers will assess the quality of the research subprojects, the integration of education and research, and the center’s potential to create lasting institutional change. Additional emphasis will be placed on the management plan, collaboration strategy, and sustainability plans.

Full proposals are due December 6, 2024, and July 7, 2025, with annual deadlines on the first Monday of July thereafter. Recipients must comply with reporting requirements, including annual progress reports and participation in NSF evaluations. EPSCoR CREST Centers are expected to advance research capacity, broaden participation in STEM, and serve as models for excellence in education and innovation within EPSCoR jurisdictions.