EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused EPSCoR Collaborations Program (RII-FEC) | 24 573

NSF EPSCoR RII-FEC (Focused EPSCoR Collaborations) FAQs

What is the NSF EPSCoR RII-FEC program?

RII-FEC (Research Infrastructure Improvement - Focused EPSCoR Collaborations) is a competitive NSF grant program designed to strengthen research capacity and long-term STEM competitiveness in EPSCoR-eligible U.S. jurisdictions. It supports investigator-driven projects that build durable, cross-jurisdiction research partnerships and the shared infrastructure, expertise, and training needed to sustain higher research and development (R&D) performance over time.

Is RII-FEC the same as EPSCoR Track-2?

Yes. RII-FEC was formerly called the EPSCoR Track-2 program. The focus remains on building meaningful interjurisdictional collaborations that produce strong science while also improving research capacity in EPSCoR regions.

What is EPSCoR and why does NSF run it?

EPSCoR stands for Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. NSF uses EPSCoR to advance scientific progress nationwide by reducing geographic disparities in research funding and capability, helping EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions strengthen their research ecosystems and competitiveness.

What is the main purpose of an RII-FEC award?

The program aims to create high-functioning, multi-jurisdiction research teams that deliver scientific results and also leave behind lasting capacity: stronger people, platforms, networks, shared resources, and institutional capabilities that persist after the award ends.

What kinds of projects does RII-FEC fund?

RII-FEC funds investigator-driven, interjurisdictional STEM collaborations that align with the current NSF Strategic Plan. Projects may span a wide range of NSF-supported disciplines, as long as they fit the EPSCoR goals of capacity building and meaningful cross-jurisdiction collaboration.

What is the minimum collaboration requirement?

Each project must include researchers from at least two EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions. The collaboration must be meaningful rather than nominal, with a clear rationale for why working together is necessary to address the research challenges effectively.

What does NSF mean by a "meaningful" cross-jurisdiction partnership?

A meaningful partnership is one where collaborators bring complementary strengths, resources, and perspectives, and where the proposed research and capacity-building outcomes depend on the cross-jurisdiction structure. The proposal should show that the work could not be done as effectively or as quickly by either jurisdiction working alone.

Does RII-FEC require capacity-building in addition to research?

Yes. RII-FEC expects an integrated vision that connects scientific discovery with intentional capacity building. The work should not only generate research results, but also strengthen people, infrastructure, training, and collaborative networks in ways that last beyond the award.

How important is broadening participation in RII-FEC proposals?

Broadening participation is a major emphasis. Projects are expected to integrate research and education activities that expand participation across individuals, institutions, disciplines, sectors, and geographic areas, supporting a more diverse and inclusive STEM ecosystem.

Is there a focus on early-career faculty?

Yes. The program highlights support for early-career faculty, particularly individuals from backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM. Proposals are often expected to include concrete plans for mentoring, leadership roles, training experiences, and inclusive team structures that help early-career investigators build independence and visibility.

Who is eligible to submit a proposal?

Submission is limited to organizations located in jurisdictions that meet EPSCoR eligibility criteria, which NSF updates annually on the EPSCoR website. Eligible submitting organizations include certain U.S.-accredited higher education institutions, certain domestic nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and eligible Tribal governments as described in the solicitation.

What types of higher education institutions are eligible?

Eligible institutions of higher education include U.S.-accredited PhD-granting and non-PhD-granting institutions with a campus in the United States or its territories/possessions. In multi-campus systems, distinct campuses are generally treated as separate eligible entities when they have independent degree programs and administrative structures.

Are nonprofit, non-degree-granting organizations eligible?

Yes. Domestic, nonprofit, non-degree-granting organizations such as museums, science centers, observatories, research labs, and professional societies may be eligible if they are directly tied to U.S. research or education activities, maintain a permanent U.S.-based administrative structure, and have 501(c)(3) status.

Are Tribal governments eligible to apply?

Yes. Tribal governments are eligible, including federally recognized tribes and certain Indigenous communities not recognized under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act framework, as described in the solicitation.

Do all participating organizations need to be in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions?

The solicitation description emphasizes that proposals must include researchers from at least two EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions and that submission eligibility is limited to organizations located in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions. Based on the information provided, projects should be structured to meet those requirements.

Are certain institution types encouraged to be included as leads or partners?

Yes. While not strictly required, NSF encourages having the lead organization or at least one partner come from institution types that are often important for expanding research capacity and opportunity, including Emerging Research Institutions, Minority-Serving Institutions, Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (including two-year colleges), institutions serving students with disabilities (as referenced in NSF broadening participation materials), and degree-granting women's colleges.

What is an Emerging Research Institution in this context?

The opportunity describes Emerging Research Institutions as generally having established academic programs but under $50 million in federal research expenditures.

What counts as a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) for this opportunity?

The opportunity references Minority-Serving Institutions as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

What is a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) in this context?

The opportunity describes PUIs (including two-year colleges) as institutions with limited recent PhD production, and notes that they can play an important role in expanding research capacity and participation.

How much funding is available per award?

The award ceiling listed for this discretionary NSF grant opportunity is $1,500,000.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for RII-FEC?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 24-573.

What is the application deadline?

The listed original closing date is January 28, 2025.

What fields or disciplines can be supported under this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to multiple NSF CFDA assistance listings across core research and education areas (including 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, and 47.084). This reflects that projects can cover a wide range of NSF-supported disciplines, provided they align with the EPSCoR capacity-building and cross-jurisdiction collaboration purpose and the NSF Strategic Plan.

What makes a proposal competitive for RII-FEC?

Based on the program description, competitive proposals typically combine (1) a compelling research question, (2) a collaboration design that truly depends on cross-jurisdiction complementary strengths, and (3) a concrete plan to grow people and institutions through training, mentoring, shared resources, and partnerships intended to last beyond the award period.

Does RII-FEC support training and education activities as part of the project?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes integrating research and education activities and building shared expertise and training. Proposals are expected to connect discovery with workforce and capacity development, including mentoring and training experiences, especially for early-career investigators.

Does RII-FEC require alignment with NSF priorities?

Yes. RII-FEC supports collaborations in STEM areas that align with the current NSF Strategic Plan, and proposals are expected to fit the program's goals around capacity building and cross-jurisdiction collaboration.

Where can applicants confirm whether a jurisdiction is EPSCoR-eligible?

EPSCoR eligibility criteria are updated annually by NSF and are posted on the NSF EPSCoR website, as referenced in the opportunity description.