Vermont Space Grant Consortium

NASA EPSCoR Awards & Funding Mechanisms

What is EPSCoR?

The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) creates a partnership with government, higher education, and industry to improve each state's research infrastructure, capacity, and competitiveness. As an EPSCoR state, Vermont researchers are eligible for funding through all EPSCoR mechanisms, including NASA EPSCoR.

NASA EPSCoR includes many funding mechanisms for faculty and other researchers, including:

1. Research Infrastructure Development (RID)

Purpose: Build the core strength needed to develop competitive research and technology development methods and activities to solve scientific and technical problems noted in NASA's mission directorates.

Award Amount: $200,000/year for up to 5 years

Cost-share: 20%

2. Rapid Research Response (R3)

Purpose: Provide a streamlined method to address research issues important to NASA through collaborations between researchers and NASA centors and/or personnel.

Award Amount: $100,000 for a 1-year period

Cost-share: Not required

3. International Space Station (ISS) Flight Opportunity

Purpose: Provide an opportunity to fly mature NASA EPSCoR research projects in Low-Earth Orbit. Each proposal is expected to make significant contributions to NASA mission directorates.

Award Amount: $100,000 total fora 3-year period

Cost-share: Not required

4. Suborbital Flight Opportunity (SFO)

Purpose: Similar to the ISS Flight Opportunity with modified financial support.

Award Amount: $250,000 total for a 3-year period

Cost-share: Not required