EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII): EPSCoR Research Fellows
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers at institutions located in RII-eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions who want to develop their research capacity through collaborative fellowships.
Eligible applicants include faculty from Ph.D.-granting and non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education, and staff from not-for-profit research organizations like museums, observatories, and labs. All institutions must be accredited, located in the U.S. or its territories, and housed in eligible EPSCoR states.
Each proposal includes one trainee (undergraduate, graduate student, or postdoc) from an EPSCoR jurisdiction. The program offers two tracks: NSF-based collaboration and NASA-based collaboration.
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Program description
The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research is designed to fulfill the mandate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote scientific progress nationwide. NSF EPSCoR facilitates the establishment of partnerships among academic institutions, government, industry, and non-profit sectors that are designed to promote sustainable improvements in a jurisdiction’s research infrastructure, Research and Development (R&D) capacity, and R&D competitiveness of EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions (i.e., states, territories, and commonwealths). Eligibility to participate in the EPSCoR funding opportunities, including the EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows program, is described on theNSF EPSCoR website.
EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows directly aligns with the NSF EPSCoR strategic goal of establishing sustainable Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professional development pathways that advance workforce development and effects engagement in STEM at national and global levels. EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows provides awards to build researchcapacityin 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 institutions and/or 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 (RII): EPSCoR Research Fellows offers the following two tracks:
1)EPSCoR Research Fellows: NSF; and
2) EPSCoR Research Fellows: @NASA
While the two tracks have similar goals, EPSCoR Research Fellows: NSF is open to a broad community and EPSCoR Research Fellows: @NASA supports faculty from eligible institutions (See Section”IV. Eligibility Information” for more details) 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.
Proposals from both tracks are submitted to and merit reviewed by NSF. Awards in the EPSCoR Research Fellows: @NASA track are referred to NASA EPSCoR for distribution of additional NASA funds and other needed NASA coordination required for the award.
In both tracks, the EPSCoR RII: EPSCoR Research Fellows program provides opportunities for the participation of one trainee, who must be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled full-time in an accredited degree program, or a postdoctoral researcher from an EPSCoR jurisdiction. Staff members, such as technicians or lab assistants could be considered as trainees when properly justified.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF Standard Form SF-424 (R&R)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketch (PI and key personnel)
- Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources
- Letters of Commitment from Host Institution
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.079 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$115,625,377
-
$33,472,000
-
$25,200,000
-
$20,513,222
-
$20,251,151
-
$20,210,752
-
$20,203,733
-
$20,133,005
-
$20,114,003
-
$20,100,000
Top States by Funding
- CA 13 awards $51.8M
- IL 7 awards $34.4M
- NJ 5 awards $33.6M
- MA 7 awards $29.4M
- NC 4 awards $28.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.079). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $66,550,000 | |
| 2025 | $57,610,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $12,470,000 |
FAQ
Which states are eligible for EPSCoR RII Research Fellows?
Only RII-eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions can apply. Check the NSF EPSCoR website for the current list of eligible states and territories.
Can I apply to both the NSF and NASA tracks in the same year?
No. If eligible for both tracks, you may apply to only one track per competition cycle.
What is a trainee in this program?
A trainee must be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled full-time in a degree program, or a postdoctoral researcher. Lab technicians and staff may qualify if properly justified.
What institutions can submit proposals?
Higher education institutions and not-for-profit research organizations (museums, observatories, labs) with 501(c)(3) status and U.S. locations are eligible from EPSCoR jurisdictions.
What is the main goal of this fellowship?
The fellowship supports researchers to collaborate with institutions outside their jurisdiction, develop new skills and collaborations, access unique equipment, and strengthen their research capacity.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Check the NSF EPSCoR eligibility table before applying. Your institution must be in an RII-eligible jurisdiction.
- Clearly articulate how the collaborative visit will transform your research trajectory and have lasting impact beyond the award period.
- Select a host institution strategically. The fellowship's value depends on access to unique equipment, expertise, or facilities you cannot access at your home institution.
- Ensure your trainee is enrolled full-time in an accredited degree program or has clear postdoc status. Documentation matters for compliance.
- Highlight how the partnership will strengthen research capacity at your institution and jurisdiction, not just advance your individual research.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals from ineligible jurisdictions or institutions waste reviewer time and get desk-rejected. Weak justification for why a specific host institution was chosen undermines competitiveness. Vague descriptions of trainee involvement or their learning outcomes fail to demonstrate workforce development impact.
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