The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems (E-CORE), managed by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to strengthen and sustain research infrastructure in eligible jurisdictions. This initiative fosters partnerships among academic institutions, state and local governments, non-profit entities, and industry to build jurisdiction-wide research ecosystems. The program is specifically designed to improve the R&D capacity of participating jurisdictions and to enhance their national competitiveness in science and engineering research.

E-CORE supports the development of sustainable research infrastructure referred to as “cores,” which may include areas such as research administration, research facilities (including cyberinfrastructure), STEM education from K-12 to higher education, workforce development, early-career research pathways, broadening participation in STEM, technology transfer, economic development, and community engagement. Projects funded under this program must demonstrate a strong potential for long-term impact and sustainability beyond the award period, and align with the five programmatic goals of NSF EPSCoR. Proposals must detail the selection of cores based on evidence-driven assessments of jurisdictional needs and opportunities.

The program offers up to $10 million for an initial four-year period, with the potential for a single renewal project award of up to $8 million for an additional four years. The total anticipated funding amount is approximately $37.5 million annually to support up to 15 new projects. Cost sharing is prohibited for the initial award period but required at 20% for the renewal stage. Only institutions and organizations within EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions can apply, and the lead organization must not have an active E-CORE or RII Track-1 award unless it is in its final year or under a no-cost extension. Each project must include an Administrative Core to manage jurisdiction-wide coordination and collaborate with the Jurisdictional Steering Committee.

Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov by 5 p.m. local time on July 15, 2025. This deadline recurs annually on the third Tuesday of July. Required application components include a detailed project description, budget justification, management plan, evaluation framework, and supplementary documents such as a jurisdiction’s Science and Technology (S&T) Plan and notification to the Jurisdictional Steering Committee. A logic model or theory of change and an execution timeline with SMART goals are also required.

The merit review process evaluates proposals based on NSF’s criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, along with program-specific criteria that assess jurisdictional alignment, core justification, sustainability, and collaborative infrastructure. Proposals will be reviewed by NSF staff and external experts, and successful applicants will be notified through formal award communication from NSF.

For assistance and inquiries, several NSF program officers are listed, including Chinonye Nnakwe Whitley (cwhitley@nsf.gov, 703-292-8458) and Benjamin J. McCall (bjmccall@nsf.gov, 703-292-7916). Applicants are strongly encouraged to engage early with NSF contacts and their jurisdiction’s EPSCoR office to confirm eligibility and coordinate proposal efforts.