EPSCoR Research Fellows
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EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows (formerly knowns as EPSCoR RII Track – 4) provides awards to build research capacity in institutions and transform the career trajectories of investigators and further develop their individual research potential through collaborations with investigators from the nation’s premier private, governmental, or academic research centers.
The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is designed to fulfill the mandate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote scientific progress nationwide. EPSCoR jurisdictions that are eligible for Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) competitions are listed in the RII Eligibility table, which can be found here. Through this program, NSF establishes partnerships with government, higher education, and industry that are designed to effect sustainable improvements in a jurisdiction’s research infrastructure, Research and Development (R&D) capacity, and hence, its R&D competitiveness.
EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows directly aligns with NSF EPSCoR strategic goal of establishing sustainable Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professional development pathways that advance workforce development in STEM and effects engagement in STEM at national and global levels. EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows provides awards to build research capacity in institutions and transform the career trajectories of investigators and further develop their individual research potential through collaborations with investigators from the nation’s premier private, governmental, or academic research centers. The fellowship provides opportunities to establish strong collaborations through extended or periodic collaborative visits to a selected host site. Through collaborative research activities with the host site, Fellows will be able to learn new techniques, develop new collaborations, advance existing partnerships, benefit from access to unique equipment and facilities, and/or shift their research toward potentially transformative new directions. The experiences gained through the fellowships are intended to have lasting impacts that will enhance the Fellows’ research trajectories well beyond the award period. The benefits to the Fellows are also expected to improve the research capacity of their institutions and jurisdictions more broadly.
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement: EPSCoR Research Fellows offers the following two sub-tracks:
- RII:NSF
- RII:@NASA
While the two tracks are similar in achieving the same goals, RII:NSF is open to a broad community and RII:@NASA focuses on faculty from institutions with high enrollments of students from underrepresented populations in STEM to collaborate with researchers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) research centers. PIs who are eligible for both tracks may apply for only one track per competition cycle.
In both sub-tracks, the RII provides opportunities for the participation of one trainee, who must be undergraduate or graduate students enrolled full-time in an accredited degree program, or a postdoctoral researcher from an EPSCoR jurisdiction.
Please refer to NSF Solicitation for additional information and requirements:
Please refer to Dr. McDonald’s presentation for additional information:
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) EPSCoR Research Fellows.pdf
Solicitation release date: January 22, 2024
Full Proposal Deadline(s): (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s local time): April 22, 2024
Award Date: October-November 2024
NASA Research Focus Areas: As of 2/6/24
What to do next?
The fellowship is contingent upon matching the applicant with a NASA Engineer or Scientist. EPSCoR office will assist you identifying a NASA Scientist/Engineer to serve as research collaborators, mentors, or technical monitors. Please review the NASA research focus areas to let us know of your research interest. Send an email to: frank.mcdonald@nasa.gov, in your message, please respond to the following questions:
- Your contact information
- Citizenship status (Lawful Permanent Residents are eligible for research opportunities at NASA centers. For some NASA research facilities, PIs and trainees must be U.S. Citizens, unless otherwise specified.)
- Name of the University/College (please include the Campus – City/State)
- Your Academic rank (only Instructor, Assistant or Associate professors from within EPSCoR Jurisdictions are eligible to apply)
- Short Resume/Research interests
EPSCoR Office will:
- Send an email acknowledging the receipt of your email
- Will share your information with NASA Scientists/Engineers
- Will arrange an introductory meeting with the NASA Scientists/Engineers
The PI is required to include a letter of support from the primary research collaborator and a letter from the NASA EPSCoR coordinator, in the proposal package.
General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
Dr. Kathleen Loftin, NASA EPSCoR Program Manager
Phone: (321) 603-9973
Email: Agency-EPSCoR-RII-Track-4@mail.nasa.gov
Dr. Frank McDonald, NASA RII Lead
Phone: (202) 923-1413
Email: frank.mcdonald@nasa.gov
