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News

Faculty Awarded $50k for Resilience Research
Awardees are from K-State, KU, & WSU

New Leadership Group for ARISE Project
Gives a voice to students and postocs

Events

MAPS Annual Symposium
APRIL 4, 2023, Virtual

ARISE Annual Symposium
APRIL 21, 2023, in Wichita, Kansas

Funding Opportunities

National Science Foundation EPSCoR Track-4 awards support early career investigators; due April 11

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

17 state colleges and universities are partnered in a new $24 million, five-year effort to advance research on resilient and socially equitable infrastructure in Kansas. The National Science Foundation EPSCoR initiative is led by Dr. Belinda Sturm, Professor of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering at the University of Kansas.

Learn more about the research

Read NSF press release

Statewide news releases

What is Kansas NSF EPSCoR?

We support research and education initiatives that make a difference in Kansas and the world. 

Major Research Initiatives

MAPS: Exploring the Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant and Soil Systems in Kansas 

ARISE: Adaptive and Resilient Infrastructures Driven by Social Equity

Trailblazing Undergrads

We empower undergrads with research experiences.

Interviews with 2021 participants show that they gain more than lab skills from these experiences. Read their stories

 

About Kansas NSF EPSCoR

Staff Information

EPSCoR Office location and directions

Program Information

Student Resources

Research Experiences

Internships

Career Opportunities

Program Information

ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH

EPSCoR stands for the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. The National Science Foundation (NSF) uses EPSCoR to increase research capacity in traditionally under-funded regions of the country—like Kansas. Its primary mechanism for achieving this goal is called the Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) program. These awards enable states like Kansas to enhance their competitiveness for research funding. RII proposals are submitted by Kansas NSF EPSCoR on behalf of the program partners in the state. Other NSF EPSCoR mechanisms include co-funding, workshops, and outreach.

Current major investments in Kansas

Adaptive and Resilient Infrastructures driven by Social Equity (ARISE)

2022-2027

Simply put, ARISE seeks to help Kansans rebound faster and suffer less from large-scale disasters. Its research is rooted in community engagement and blended with education to pave the way for statewide benefits. 

 

Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plants, and Soils Systems across Kansas (MAPS)

2017-2023

MAPS research is addressing the challenge of simultaneously feeding a growing population, sustaining agriculture, maintaining soil quality, and minimizing greenhouse gases and water contaminants using new data-driven solutions.

 

Funding Opportunities

First Awards help early-career faculty become competitive for funding from the research directorates at the National Science Foundation.

Current solicitation is closed. 

Research and Education Innovative (REI) Awards fund small projects that will either allow for networking and planning or for the immediate pursuit of larger projects for developing new transformational concepts.

Current solicitation is closed. 

Museum Projects Award provides funds for developing museum outreach programs that intersect the natural science and engineering aspects of MAPS research with fine art or visual and graphic design elements. Solicitation is closed.

Learn more: Microbes on the Move
a mobile pop-up exhibit

National Science Foundation

EPSCoR Investment Strategies

NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Program: 

RII Track-1 Awards provide up to 20 million dollars over 5 years to support and improve the jurisdiction’s research and development competitiveness.  The jurisdiction’s EPSCoR steering committee selects the project and the research activities associated with it must align with the specific research priorities identified in the approved Science and Technology (S&T) Plan of the jurisdiction.

RII Track-2 Focused EPSCoR Collaborations (FEC) Awards build inter-jurisdictional collaborative teams of EPSCoR investigators in scientific focus areas consistent with NSF priorities.

RII Track-4  EPSCoR Research Fellows Awards provide support to non-tenured investigators to enhance their individual research potential and their jurisdictions’ research capacity through extended collaborative visits to the nation’s premier private, governmental, or academic research centers.

RII Bridging EPSCoR Communities Awards seek to help undergraduate and graduate students from target groups overcome barriers along their training path. 

NSF EPSCoR Events

Webinar: Community Capitals for ARISE
March 8, 2:30 – 3:30 pm

MAPS Annual Symposium
APRIL 4, 2023

ARISE Annual Symposium
April 21, 2023

Kansas Data Science Consortium Conference
April 29

MORE EVENTS

Kansas NSF EPSCoR News

Student Spotlight: Adaeze Okeukwu

Student Spotlight: Adaeze Okeukwu

Adaeze Okeukwu has always been interested in computer science. Now, as a doctoral student at Kansas State University, she is excited to expand her skills in this area as part of ARISE. Her research will help build a novel tool that could transform how cities invest in...

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Real-Time Data Point for the Win

Real-Time Data Point for the Win

A group of Kansas City youth got a science snack to go with the Super Bowl this year. With help from our ARISE project and the EPA, the teens are learning about data science at the Saturday Academy, a long-running program by Kansas City Kansas Community College. 15...

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