NSF Invests $29.2M in EPSCoR Collaborations to Strengthen Research Capacity Across 11 Jurisdictions
The U.S. National Science Foundation has awarded $29.2 million through its EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Focused EPSCoR Collaborations (FEC) to advance transformative, multi-state research in historically underfunded jurisdictions. The six four-year awards span Earth systems science, wildfire management, water sustainability, environmental health, advanced materials, and AI-driven biotechnology.
2025 EPSCoR FEC Award Highlights:
Mineral Dust Aerosols Research - Nevada System of Higher Education, University of Oklahoma, University of Wyoming: Quantifying global/regional dust cycles and impacts on climate, health, and ecosystems to improve predictive models.
Good Fire Project - Boise State University: Establishing a wildfire center, certificate program, and decision-support tools using machine learning to optimize prescribed and managed fires.
Circular Waste Recovery & Water Reuse - Kansas State, Oklahoma State, University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Creating technologies to recycle livestock waste, conserve Ogallala Aquifer water, and produce valuable co-products.
PFAS Defluorination Technology - University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Delaware, University of South Carolina: Developing comprehensive solutions to eliminate “forever chemicals” from water using advanced materials and electrochemical methods.
2D Magnetic Semiconductors - University of Kansas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Designing next-gen 2D magnets for applications in quantum devices, batteries, flexible electronics, and sensors.
AI-Driven Molecule Discovery - South Dakota Mines, South Dakota State, University of Nevada-Las Vegas: Using AI/ML to develop antimicrobials, anti-biofilm agents, and toxin inhibitors to improve food safety and crop resilience.
These collaborative efforts will also enhance STEM workforce development, expand infrastructure, and strengthen U.S. research competitiveness nationwide.