Building EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory Partnerships
🏛 Office of Science
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions in specific U.S. jurisdictions partnering with DOE National Laboratories on early-stage energy research. Eligible applicants include institutions located in EPSCoR jurisdictions (28 designated states, territories, and U.S. possessions). Nonprofits, colleges, universities, and research organizations meeting NSF EPSCoR criteria can apply. Participation by undergraduate students, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows is required. Early career faculty from these jurisdictions are encouraged. Projects must involve fundamental research collaborations with DOE National Laboratories, and use of DOE user facilities is encouraged.
Program description
The DOE SC Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) hereby announces its interest in receiving applications for Building EPSCoR-State/DOE-National Laboratory Partnerships. These partnerships advance understanding of the physical world by supporting fundamental, early-stage energy research collaborations with the DOE National Laboratories. (Information on the DOE National Laboratories including links to websites can be found at https://www.energy.gov/about-national-labs.) Participation by undergraduate students, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows is required. Early career faculty from EPSCoR jurisdictions are encouraged to apply. Utilization of DOE user facilities is encouraged. (Information on the SC User Facilities can be found at https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities/User-Facilities-at-a-Glance; information on the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy user facilities can be found at https://nsuf.inl.gov).
DOE EPSCoR follows NSF EPSCoR Program eligibility determinations. As a result, and in accordance with 2 CFR 910.126, competition, eligibility for award is restricted. Domestic applicants except nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995, that are within the following jurisdictions will be eligible to apply under this NOFO: 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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project Narrative and Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- DOE National Laboratory Letter of Support/Commitment
- Curriculum Vitae(s) of Key Personnel
- Institutional Information and Certifications
- Letters of Commitment from Student/Postdoc Participants
Program contact
- 👤 Edward McGeehan Grants Management Specialist
- 📧 EPSCoR.NOFO@science.doe.gov
- 📞 301-903-1291
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 81.049 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,196,474,884
-
$836,082,435
-
$396,718,000
-
$241,000,000
-
$237,065,653
-
$197,476,477
-
$126,425,786
-
$120,067,617
-
$78,303,346
-
$76,691,103
Top States by Funding
- CA 19 awards $1,758.0M
- MI 6 awards $1,410.1M
- MA 12 awards $366.3M
- WI 5 awards $341.9M
- IL 4 awards $271.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 81.049). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $1,332,804,781 | |
| 2019 | $1,256,158,757 | |
| 2020 | $1,351,765,427 | |
| 2021 | $1,370,403,281 | |
| 2022 | $1,526,997,591 | |
| 2023 | $1,716,168,129 | |
| 2024 est. | $1,547,434,169 | |
| 2025 est. | $1,700,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Institutions located in the 28 eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions can apply. This includes colleges, universities, nonprofit research organizations, and similar entities in these specific states and territories.
What are the eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions?
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.
What must a project include?
Projects must establish partnerships with DOE National Laboratories for fundamental energy research. Student or postdoctoral participation is required. Use of DOE user facilities is strongly encouraged.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline is May 21, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
How much funding is available?
Awards typically range from $600,000 to $1,000,000 per project. The total program funding pool is $35,000,000.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build your partnership with a DOE National Laboratory early. Confirm their interest in collaborating before submitting your full application.
- Include detailed roles and responsibilities for undergraduate students, graduate students, or postdocs. This participation is mandatory, not optional.
- Explain how your research advances fundamental understanding of the physical world. DOE prioritizes early-stage, high-risk research.
- Leverage DOE user facilities if possible. Access to specialized equipment or research resources strengthens your proposal.
- Tailor your budget to the $600,000-$1,000,000 range and clearly justify all costs without cost-sharing requirements.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to secure a DOE National Laboratory partner commitment before submission. Missing or unclear roles for required student/postdoc participants. Proposing applied research instead of fundamental early-stage inquiry.
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