National NASA EPSCoR Program
DESCRIPTION
Public Law 102-58, passed in 1992, authorized NASA 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 development. Since its inception, NASA EPSCoR has been closely linked to the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant).
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- review competition.
The following are the specific objectives of NASA EPSCoR:
• Contribute to and promote the development of research capability 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 the NASA EPSCoR program;
• Develop partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions, and industry;
• Contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, higher education, and economic development of the jurisdiction; and
• Work in close coordination with the Space Grant consortium in the jurisdiction to improve the environment for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
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