NASA EPSCoR in Iowa

 

Iowa NASA EPSCoR Logo

 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research (EPSCoR)

 

Public Law 102-58, passed in 1992, authorized the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate NASA EPSCoR to strengthen the research capability of jurisdictions that have not in the past participated equably in competitive aerospace research activities. The goal of NASA EPSCoR is to provide seed funding that will enable jurisdictions to develop an academic research enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally-competitive capabilities in aerospace and aerospace-related research. This capability will, in turn, contribute to the jurisdiction's economic viability and expand the nation's base for aerospace research and technology development. Since its inception, NASA EPSCoR has been closely linked to the NASA Space Grant Program.

Based on the availability of funding, NASA will continue to help jurisdictions achieve these goals through NASA EPSCoR. Funded jurisdictions will be selected through a merit-based, peer-reviewed competition.

The following are the specific objectives of NASA EPSCoR:

  • Contribute to and promote the development of research infrastructure in NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions in areas of strategic importance to the NASA mission;
  • Improve the capabilities of the NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions to gain support from sources outside NASA EPSCoR;
  • Develop partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions, and industry;
  • Contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, higher education, and/or economic development of the jurisdiction; and
  • Work in close coordination with the NASA Space Grant program to improve the environment for science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education in the jurisdiction.

 

Part 1: Research Infrastructure Development (RID)

 

In August 2009, Iowa was awarded a three year RID grant for $400,000 to fund fellowships and travel grants for researchers in the State of Iowa. The purpose of the fellowship award is to strengthen relationships with NASA or other collaborators for extended periods of time to conduct research. The purpose of the travel grant is to:  strengthen relationships with NASA or other collaborators; discuss specific concept proposals with NASA or other future funding sources; and/or attend important technical conferences to network with possible collaborators. From our academic affiliates of Drake, ISU, U of I and UNI:
  • In year 1 (2009-10), 7 professors were awarded grants.   
  • In year 2 (2010-11), 6 professors were awarded grants.
  • In year 3 (2011-12), 5 professors were awarded grants.

In December 2011, Iowa was awarded an augmentation to the RID grant of $50,000.  With this additional funding we created a new opportunity for participants from any of Iowa's 30+ private or public colleges and universities, industry and government agencies, as well as any ISGC affiliate organizations, called the Research Community Development (RCD) grant.  As a result, four additional faculty members were awarded EPSCoR RID funding.

INE_RID_2012-2013_RFP.pdf - released: 11 September 2012

    Anyone interested in establishing a new NASA center collaboration, please contact
    Charisse or Sugu about possible travel funding.

 

Part 2: Research Awards


2012-13_INE_Competition_RFP.pdf  and  INE_2012-13_DataForm.xls
             - released 11 September 2012

2012-13 INE Competition Results

FY2013 NASA Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) - released 12 February 2013

Each year of eligibility, Iowa can submit up to two research proposals to NASA for funding.

In the 2012 cycle, Iowa won one award of $750,000:
Next Generation Lithium Sulfur Batteries for Mission Enabling Energy Storage Systems
at Iowa State University, Dr. Steve Martin - Science PI

In the 2010 cycle, Iowa won one award of $649,612:
Agricultural Soil Erosion and Carbon Cycle Observations in Iowa: Gaps Threaten Climate Mitigating Policies at University of Iowa,
 Dr. Athanasios Papanicolaou - Science PI

In the 2009 cycle, Iowa won one award of $700,708:
Multifunctional Polymer Matrix Composites at Iowa State University,
Dr. Michael Kessler - Science PI

For reference:

 

                                                Maintained by:   Carmen J. Fuchs, Program Coordinator

                                                                        Updated: 28 November 2012