The NSF 24-573 EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused EPSCoR Collaborations Program (RII-FEC) is a funding opportunity provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance research capacity and competitiveness in jurisdictions eligible under the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The RII-FEC program, formerly known as EPSCoR Track-2, supports inter-jurisdictional research collaborations in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines that align with NSF’s strategic priorities. The program encourages partnerships between at least two EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions to drive scientific discovery, innovation, and workforce development while promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.

The purpose of the RII-FEC program is to create sustainable, multi-institutional research collaborations that strengthen research infrastructure, foster workforce development, and increase the competitiveness of participating jurisdictions in securing future research funding. The program also aims to broaden participation in STEM by integrating institutions that serve underrepresented communities, such as Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), and two-year colleges. Special emphasis is placed on engaging early-career faculty from historically underrepresented backgrounds to ensure long-term sustainability and inclusivity in STEM research.

The program provides funding for collaborative research projects that span multiple jurisdictions and require complementary expertise and resources to address complex scientific challenges. Proposals must outline a comprehensive research strategy, a well-defined collaboration plan, a workforce development component, and a sustainability plan for continued research efforts beyond the funding period. Proposals can be submitted by institutions of higher education (both PhD and non-PhD granting), nonprofit research organizations, and tribal governments within eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions. Each participating jurisdiction must be represented by a Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI with relevant research expertise.

Funding awards under the RII-FEC program range from $12 million to $18 million in total, with individual project awards not exceeding $4 million for collaborations involving two EPSCoR jurisdictions or $6 million for collaborations involving three or more jurisdictions. Up to 12 cooperative agreements are expected to be awarded. Cost-sharing is prohibited, and proposals must align with NSF’s merit review criteria, which emphasize intellectual merit and broader societal impacts.

To apply, a Letter of Intent (LOI) must be submitted by December 16, 2025, followed by a full proposal due on January 27, 2026. These deadlines will recur annually. Applications must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov and should include a detailed research plan, budget justification, and a workforce development strategy. Proposals undergo rigorous peer review, and selection is based on scientific quality, collaboration effectiveness, workforce development impact, and potential contributions to STEM competitiveness.

Key evaluation criteria include the potential to enhance research capacity, workforce development initiatives, inter-jurisdictional collaboration balance, and sustainability plans. The awarded projects are expected to demonstrate significant improvements in research competitiveness and long-term infrastructure growth. Awardees must comply with NSF reporting requirements and participate in data collection efforts to assess project impact and sustainability.

For further inquiries, applicants can contact NSF Program Directors Jose Colom-Ustariz (jcolom@nsf.gov), Lisa C. Cliggett (lcligget@nsf.gov), Hongmei Luo (hluo@nsf.gov), or Benjamin J. McCall (bjmccall@nsf.gov). Additional details and submission guidelines are available on the NSF website.