The goal of EPSCoR is to provide seed funding that will enable researchers in Iowa to develop an academic research enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally-competitive capabilities in aerospace and aerospace-related research.
- Research Infrastructure Development (RID). This component enables Iowa to build and strengthen relationships with NASA researchers. NASA intends to announce the RID opportunity every three to five years, pending funding availability. It is the RID opportunity that provides the funding for Partnership Development Travel Grants and Research Building Seed Grants. (See below for the Iowa NASA EPSCoR program RID information.)
- Research Awards solicits topic-specific proposals addressing high-priority NASA research and technology development needs. Awards are up to $750,000 for a three-year performance period. NASA intends to announce the EPSCoR Cooperative Agreement Notice, or CAN, for Research Awards yearly, pending funding availability.
- International Space Station (ISS) Flight Opportunity: NASA intends to announce the EPSCoR CAN for ISS Flight Opportunity Awards yearly, pending funding availability. This funding is for research projects that are ready to fly aboard the ISS.
- Suborbital Flight Opportunity is a more recent addition to the funding opportunities. Researchers who need to test projects in a micro- or zero-gravity environment can apply.
- Rapid Response Research (R3). These awards provide a streamlined method to quickly address research issues important to NASA. The goal is for EPSCoR researchers to work for one year directly with NASA researchers to solve program and mission problems. Awards are up to $100,000 for a one-year performance period. NASA intends to announce the EPSCoR R3 Awards as required and pending funding availability.
The Iowa NASA EPSCoR Competitive Research Network (yep – CoRN) RID Award allows us to increase the number of Iowa researchers working on NASA technical issues and to build a cadre of NASA-literate and connected researchers who should be able to develop competitive proposals for the state-level competition and national NASA funding opportunities. This will be accomplished through three initiatives: 1) Research Development Symposia (RDS), 2) Research Building Seed Grants and 3) Partnership Development Travel Grants. Cost-sharing, from non-federal sources, will be required of all grant recipients.
- Contribute to and promote the development of research infrastructure in areas of strategic importance to the NASA mission.
- Improve the capabilities of Iowa researchers to gain support from sources outside the NASA EPSCoR program.
- Develop partnerships between NASA research assets, industry, and universities within Iowa.
- Contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, higher education, and/or economic development of Iowa.
For more information visit the Funding page, or download this informational ISGC & EPSCoR Book.
The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, establishes partnerships with government, higher education and industry that are designed to effect lasting improvements in Iowa’s research infrastructure, R&D capacity and hence, its national R&D competitiveness. Proposed research projects must be in an area that is aligned with a new or continuing NASA research priority or technology need, and the proposal narrative must make an explicit connection with NASA and NASA Mission Directorate’s goals and objectives as identified in NASA 2018 Strategic Plan and the STEM Education Strategic Plan -2018.