Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Implementation Grants

Background
The Department of Energy (DOE) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions through Implementation Grants. These grants support collaborative efforts among scientists, engineers, and students working on common scientific themes, fostering education and research development. The program is designed to assist states historically underserved by federal research funding, thereby strengthening their research and innovation capabilities.

Grant Details
Grants under this program are intended to improve research capability through the support of a group of scientists and engineers, including undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows. The objectives include:
1) Jumpstarting capability development in jurisdictions through increased human and technical resources;
2) Supporting researchers working on a common scientific theme;
3) Promoting collaborations with other institutions of higher education and industry with strong student participation.

Applications must focus primarily on research rather than curriculum development. Each application must present a coherent focus on one DOE-related research area, include a management plan for coordinating multiple investigators, and provide letters of commitment from key personnel.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include domestic entities from specific jurisdictions such as Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Non-profit organizations engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995 are not eligible. Participation from non-profit and for-profit organizations from EPSCoR jurisdictions is welcome as subrecipients.

Period of Performance
The project period is expected to be up to two years with full funding anticipated in fiscal year 2025. Continuation funding is contingent upon progress towards meeting objectives and availability of appropriated funds.

Grant Value
The total value anticipated for this FOA is $35 million for FY 2025. The maximum award size is $1.5 million per year for new awards and $2.5 million per year for renewal awards. The minimum award size is $1 million per year for new awards and $1.5 million per year for renewal awards.

Place of Performance
Research supported by an EPSCoR award must be performed in an EPSCoR jurisdiction or at a DOE National Laboratory.