Sponsor
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Summary
The ESPCoR Research Incubators for STEM Excellence (E-RISE) supports hypothesis-driven or problem-driven research and fosters the development of research teams and products in a scientific topical area that aligns with a jurisdiction’s research ecosystem and priorities. E-RISE invites innovative proposals within the chosen research area that will lead to development and implementation of sustainable broad networks of individuals, institutions, and organizations, and that will transform the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research capacity and competitiveness in a jurisdiction. E-RISE is particularly interested in proposals that justify exploring emerging or interdisciplinary research areas with high potential impact.
E-RISE projects must have a clearly articulated research goal that will lead to new knowledge by addressing a clear hypothesis or problem. The E-RISE project should promote (i) areas of research capacity-building within a chosen research topic; (ii) development of a skilled workforce that is relevant to the research topic, as well as the project and its outcomes; (iii) a culture of collaboration and engagement across different types of academic institutions and organizations, as well as non-academic sectors (e.g., industry and government); (iv) integration of the research with societal impacts; and (v) a clear sustainability plan to preserve the resulting research incubator’s team and products beyond E-RISE funding.
For more information, view the full NSF 25-522 EPSCoR Research Incubators for STEM Excellence (E-RISE) solicitation.
Award
Up to $8 million for four (4) years (and potential renewal project award of up to $4.5 million for an additional three (3)Â years).Â
Limited Submission Requirements and Timeline
One (1) proposal per institution is permitted.
White Paper Process: Only proposals approved by the Division of Research and Economic Development may be submitted to this program. For such approval, PIs must first submit a white paper to limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu by 4 pm on January 31, 2025.
If you are considering submitting a white paper, please email limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu with your intent to submit so that we may garner interest in this opportunity ahead of white paper submissions.
Your white paper should be 2-3 pages, follow the structure of the provided template, and describe:
- The goals and vision of the E-RISE project and how it aligns with Idaho’s Science & Technology (S&T) plan.
- Description of the proposed research, its novelty/originality, the use-inspired or societal impact of the research and how the project will positively impact Idaho’s research ecosystem and build research capacity.
- An overview of the project’s strategy for workforce development.
- The management plan, including a description of the leadership team.
- Collaborations and/or partnerships, indicating which are anticipated subrecipients.
White papers will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Clearly defined goals and vision that are in alignment with Idaho’s S&T plan.
- The potential of the project to advance the relevant fields of STEM research while simultaneously enhancing Idaho’s research competitiveness, capacity and infrastructure in the topic area of choice.
- Clear and detailed plans to develop a skilled workforce that is relevant to the project and its outcomes. Â
- Demonstrates a reasonable management plan and a leadership team that includes individuals with (a) deep expertise in the proposed research areas; (b) strategic leadership in innovation including intellectual property; (c) expertise in workforce development relevant to the chosen topic; and (d) experience in leading efforts for broadening participation.
- To what extent are the collaborations/partnerships appropriate to support the goals of the project and the clear plans to establish a culture of collaborative engagement of different institution types and sectors (e.g. academia, industry and government) in Idaho.
Key Submission Dates
- January 31, 2025 by 4 pm – White paper due to limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu
- February 17, 2025 – Anticipated date applicants will be notified of approval to advance toward full submission
- August 5, 2025 – All final proposal documents due to OSP
- August 12, 2025 – Full proposal due to NSF
Important Notes on Sponsor Requirements
- Principal Investigators must hold at least 50% appointments in eligible organizations within an EPSCoR jurisdiction.
- An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on only one RII Track-1 award, E-RISE submission, or E-RISE award at any given time (unless an existing RII Track-1 or E-RISE award is in its final year, or in a no-cost extension, and has not been selected for renewal project award). However, an individual may serve as other senior/key personnel, or in roles other than PI or co-PI, on any number of E-RISE submissions or awards.
NOTE: Please send all inquiries and submissions for Limited Submission opportunities to limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu.