2539413
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
Research infrastructure: E-CORE: Research infrastructure for AI-based sustainable STEM technologies in Puerto Rico.
This EPSCoR collaborations for optimizing research ecosystems (E-CORE) proposal is for a collaborative project among University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (UPR-M), University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras (UPR-RP) and emerging research institutions (ERIs) participating in the research infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI)-based sustainable STEM technologies in Puerto Rico.
They include the University of Puerto Rico campuses (UPR): UPR Aguadilla, UPR Arecibo, UPR Bayamón, UPR Carolina, UPR Cayey, UPR Humacao, UPR Ponce, UPR Utuado, and the Ana G. Méndez (AGM) University System campuses.
The project will advance Puerto Rico's research ecosystem through the development of a networked research infrastructure across the jurisdiction to support AI-driven sustainable STEM technologies, increased resources for ERIs, and workforce development to boost student enrollment and STEM participation.
The project will pursue opportunities to leverage NSF-funded projects, partnerships with the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PRSTRT) and the Science and Technology Steering Committee (STSC), expanding innovation in energy-resilient AI-based technologies through entrepreneurship, seed funding, and building upon the skilled STEM workforce addressing local energy infrastructural challenges.
The research activities in AI-based energy resilient systems and quantum sensing/secure communication are well aligned with national priorities.
This project aims to enhance Puerto Rico’s research ecosystem by building research capacity for AI-based STEM technologies.
It integrates advanced technologies to develop a scalable, energy-resilient research infrastructure for a collaborative, interinstitutional science and technology research ecosystem that serves as a cornerstone for economic development across PR.
A key strength is the combined focus on hardware and software development to improve computing performance and power efficiency, which would dramatically strengthen research capacity.
The project also demonstrates strong alignment with NSF’s priorities in artificial intelligence and quantum information science, particularly in areas related to quantum sensing and secure communication.
The project fosters sustainable interconnections among academia, government, and industry to address interconnected challenges in energy resilience, research infrastructure, and economic development.
It also creates entrepreneurial opportunities and cultivates a skilled workforce equipped with knowledge in AI-based integrative systems for renewable energy, remote sensing, and quantum/secure communications.
The project aligns with Puerto Rico’s jurisdictional needs and research capacity and includes a clearly defined structure for communication and interaction with the jurisdiction steering committee to ensure effective collaboration.
The project will integrate faculty and students from ERIs into the broader research ecosystem through 23 seed awards, along with additional funds to provide access to advanced computing facilities.
This project is supported by the EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR collaborations for optimizing research ecosystems (E-CORE).
E-CORE supports jurisdictions in strengthening their jurisdiction-wide research ecosystems through fostering interconnected networks, building research infrastructure, and growing research capacity and competitiveness aligned with jurisdictional priorities.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
This EPSCoR collaborations for optimizing research ecosystems (E-CORE) proposal is for a collaborative project among University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (UPR-M), University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras (UPR-RP) and emerging research institutions (ERIs) participating in the research infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI)-based sustainable STEM technologies in Puerto Rico.
They include the University of Puerto Rico campuses (UPR): UPR Aguadilla, UPR Arecibo, UPR Bayamón, UPR Carolina, UPR Cayey, UPR Humacao, UPR Ponce, UPR Utuado, and the Ana G. Méndez (AGM) University System campuses.
The project will advance Puerto Rico's research ecosystem through the development of a networked research infrastructure across the jurisdiction to support AI-driven sustainable STEM technologies, increased resources for ERIs, and workforce development to boost student enrollment and STEM participation.
The project will pursue opportunities to leverage NSF-funded projects, partnerships with the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PRSTRT) and the Science and Technology Steering Committee (STSC), expanding innovation in energy-resilient AI-based technologies through entrepreneurship, seed funding, and building upon the skilled STEM workforce addressing local energy infrastructural challenges.
The research activities in AI-based energy resilient systems and quantum sensing/secure communication are well aligned with national priorities.
This project aims to enhance Puerto Rico’s research ecosystem by building research capacity for AI-based STEM technologies.
It integrates advanced technologies to develop a scalable, energy-resilient research infrastructure for a collaborative, interinstitutional science and technology research ecosystem that serves as a cornerstone for economic development across PR.
A key strength is the combined focus on hardware and software development to improve computing performance and power efficiency, which would dramatically strengthen research capacity.
The project also demonstrates strong alignment with NSF’s priorities in artificial intelligence and quantum information science, particularly in areas related to quantum sensing and secure communication.
The project fosters sustainable interconnections among academia, government, and industry to address interconnected challenges in energy resilience, research infrastructure, and economic development.
It also creates entrepreneurial opportunities and cultivates a skilled workforce equipped with knowledge in AI-based integrative systems for renewable energy, remote sensing, and quantum/secure communications.
The project aligns with Puerto Rico’s jurisdictional needs and research capacity and includes a clearly defined structure for communication and interaction with the jurisdiction steering committee to ensure effective collaboration.
The project will integrate faculty and students from ERIs into the broader research ecosystem through 23 seed awards, along with additional funds to provide access to advanced computing facilities.
This project is supported by the EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR collaborations for optimizing research ecosystems (E-CORE).
E-CORE supports jurisdictions in strengthening their jurisdiction-wide research ecosystems through fostering interconnected networks, building research infrastructure, and growing research capacity and competitiveness aligned with jurisdictional priorities.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "EPSCOR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: EPSCOR COLLABORATIONS FOR OPTIMIZING RESEARCH ECOSYSTEMS", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF25523
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Mayaguez,
Puerto Rico
00680-6475
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
University Of Puerto Rico was awarded
E-CORE: AI-Based STEM Tech in Puerto Rico
Cooperative Agreement 2539413
worth $9,000,000
from the NSF Office of Integrative Activities in July 2026 with work to be completed primarily in Mayaguez Puerto Rico United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.083 Integrative Activities.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems (E-CORE).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 7/17/26
Period of Performance
7/15/26
Start Date
6/30/30
End Date
Funding Split
$9.0M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$9.0M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2539413
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
490106 OFFICE OF INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITIES
Funding Office
490106 OFFICE OF INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITIES
Awardee UEI
GZRNJ1GZDBM1
Awardee CAGE
1FKM5
Performance District
PR-98
Modified: 7/17/26