NSF EPSCoR Projects in Kansas

Kansas has a five-year flagship initiative known as ARISE that reaches every congressional district in Kansas to build resilient water, energy, and transportation infrastructure. It is led by KU engineer Elaina Sutley with collaborators statewide. Abstract Number: 2148878, 2022-2027, $20,000,000. Learn more

Nine projects bridge the gap between Kansas scientists and researchers across the country as Focused EPSCoR Collaborations (FEC), as follows.

FEC: Plastic-based Nano-Systems for High Throughput Multi-omic Biological Studies. Abstract Number: 2614925. Start Date: 09/01/2026. Award Amount: $3,978,464.00. Principal Investigator: Steven A Soper, University of Kansas

FEC: Boosting Tolerance to Water Stress in Rice and Wheat Using Mycorrhizal Inoculants. Abstract Number: 2614584. Start Date: 08/01/2026. Award Amount: $53,453.00. Principal Investigator: Matthew R Sanderson, Kansas State University.

FEC: Boosting Tolerance to Water Stress in Rice and Wheat Using Mycorrhizal Inoculants. Abstract Number: 2614582. Start Date: 08/01/2026. Award Amount: $1,839,157.00. Principal Investigator: James D Bever, University of Kansas.

FEC: Circular Waste Resource Recovery and Water Reuse Systems to Drive Sustainability and Resiliency of the Great Plains Rural Communities. Abstract Number: 2521392. Start Date: 08/15/2025. Award Amount: $2,500,000.00. Principal Investigator: Prathap Parameswaran, Kansas State University.

FEC: Harnessing Artificial Magnetic Semiconductors in the Flatland. Abstract Number: 2521414. Start Date: 08/15/2025. Award Amount: $2,192,722.00. Principal Investigator: Rachael G Farber, University of Kansas.

FEC: Promoting N2O- and CO2-Relieved Nitrogen Fertilizers for Climate Change-Threatened Midwest Farming and Ranching. Abstract Number: 2316482. Start Date: 09/01/2023. Award Amount: $2,000,000.00. Principal Investigator: Shuang Gu, Wichita State University.

FEC: Supporting rural livelihoods in the water-stressed Central High Plains: Microbial innovations for climate-resilient agriculture (MICRA). Abstract Number: 2316295. Start Date: 08/15/2023. Award Amount: $2,896,478.00. Principal Investigator: Melanie M Derby, Kansas State University.

FEC: BioWRAP. Abstract Number: 2119753. Start Date: 03/01/2022. Award Amount: $5,999,428.00. Principal Investigator: Vaishali Sharda, Kansas State University.

FEC - Advanced Manufacturing of Renewable and Recyclable Polymers. Abstract Number: 2119754. Start Date: 10/01/2021. Award Amount: $4,000,000.00. Principal Investigator: Bala Subramaniam, University of Kansas.

Six active Research Fellowship Awards are jumpstarting the careers of rising stars and cultivating talented leaders at our universities.

EPSCoR Research Fellows: NSF: Low Temperature Catalytic Radical Generation for Selective Oxidation of Hydrocarbons Enabled by Operando Spectroscopic Tools. Abstract Number: 2624602. Start Date: 01/01/2027. Award Amount: $297,020.00. Principal Investigator: Juan J Bravo Suarez, University of Kansas.

EPSCoR Research Fellows: NSF: Probing Ultrafast Photochemical Dynamics with Attosecond Coincidence Spectroscopy and High-Repetition-Rate Pump-Probe Measurements. Abstract Number: 2624418. Start Date: 01/01/2027. Award Amount: $244,335.00. Principal Investigator: Keyu Chen, Emporia State University.

EPSCoR Research Fellows: NSF: Tuning the magnetic properties of 1T-CrTe2 via intercalation. Abstract Number: 2531818. Start Date: 05/01/2026. Award Amount: $250,241.00. Principal Investigator: Jian Wang, Wichita State University.

EPSCoR Research Fellows: NSF: Enhancing Trust in Healthcare Decisions with Data-Resilient Machine Learning Methods. Abstract Number: 2531881. Start Date: 05/01/2026. Award Amount: $298,221.00. Principal Investigator: Zijun Yao, University of Kansas.

EPSCoR Research Fellows: NSF: Proteomic-Environmental Applications for Contaminant Eradication. Abstract Number: 2531787. Start Date: 05/01/2026. Award Amount: $286,131.00. Principal Investigator: Justin M Hutchison, University of Kansas.

EPSCoR Research Fellows: NSF: Understanding the effects of tunable media on mass transport during catalytic conversion of polyolefins. Abstract Number: 2429771. Start Date: 01/01/2025. Award Amount: $204,819.00. Principal Investigator: Ana Colaco Morais, University of Kansas.

NSF recently retired its flagship Track-1 program. Gone are the days of being “locked in” to a single research project for five years. Now, a new agile framework makes it possible to pursue multiple research frontiers at once, propelled by a strong foundation. The new multi-pronged approach works in tandem to boost innovation at speed and scale as follows:

E-RISE ignites research: This strategy incubates high-impact research teams, linking statewide networks around consequential science and technology topics. E-RISE stands for EPSCoR Research Incubators for STEM Excellence 

E-CORE projects accelerate impact: This strategy fills vital "core" needs in the innovation ecosystem, such as forging industry academic partnerships, driving local economies, enhancing research facilities, easing career pathways, and more. E-CORE stands for EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems

Kansas became eligible to apply for these awards in 2026. Four proposals are in review for 2027 award dates.

EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP): EGFP for K-State Math. Abstract Number: 2500380. Start Date: 07/15/2025. Award Amount: $1,431,000.00. Principal Investigator: Marianne K Korten.

RII Track-4: NSF: Physics-Informed Machine Learning with Organ-on-a-Chip Data for an In-Depth Understanding of Disease Progression and Drug Delivery Dynamics. Abstract Number: 2327473. Start Date: 02/01/2024. Award Amount: $245,403.00. Principal Investigator: Davood Pourkargar.

RII-BEC: Mitigating COVID-19 Career Challenges with Research and Professional Development Training for Undergraduate Students and Mentors in Field-based Environmental Sciences. Abstract Number: 2225863. Start Date: 09/01/2022. Award Amount: $999,835.00. Principal Investigator: Blair B Schneider.

In 2026, at least 16 NSF projects were co-funded by EPSCoR. These projects span a host of programs, from plant genome research to geophysics to algebra. 

EPSCoR frequently partners with other NSF programs to support proposals. These projects successfully completed NSF's merit review process and were recommended for funding but need additional funds to move forward. Through this co-funding model, EPSCoR extends the impact of its investments and promotes greater involvement of scientists and engineers from EPSCoR jurisdictions in NSF programs and strategic initiatives.