Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Implementation Grants | DE FOA 0003444

DOE Office of Science EPSCoR Implementation Grants (DE-FOA-0003444) - FAQs

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science solicitation for new and renewal proposals under the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Implementation Grants, released as Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0003444 (CFDA 81.049).

2) What is the purpose of an EPSCoR Implementation Grant?

The program is designed to strengthen and expand long-term research competitiveness in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions by building durable research capacity. The focus is on establishing sustained capability (people pipelines, collaboration networks, and research infrastructure and culture) rather than funding a single, stand-alone research effort.

3) What kind of work is DOE looking to fund under these Implementation Grants?

DOE is looking for an integrated, coordinated team effort organized around a shared scientific theme. The proposed work should be collaborative and structured so that the benefits extend beyond any one laboratory or faculty member, contributing to broad, long-term improvements in a jurisdiction's (or multi-jurisdiction effort's) ability to compete for future federal research funding.

4) What does "capacity building" mean in the context of this FOA?

Based on the FOA description, capacity building refers to strengthening a jurisdiction's overall research capability in a lasting way. This commonly implies investing in durable elements such as workforce development and training pipelines, research infrastructure, and collaboration networks, all tied together through a sustained thematic focus.

5) Is this grant intended to support individual faculty research projects?

No. The announcement explicitly states these grants are inappropriate for supporting individual faculty research projects in science and technology. Proposals that resemble a standard single-investigator project, or a loosely connected collection of independent projects, do not align with the stated intent.

6) What does DOE mean by a "coordinated team effort"?

The FOA emphasizes a group of scientists and engineers working together around a unifying theme, with clear integration and collaboration. The program description indicates DOE expects a coherent program structure rather than separate subprojects that do not meaningfully depend on or strengthen one another.

7) Who is expected to participate on the project team?

The team is expected to include scientists and engineers working collaboratively, plus meaningful participation from trainees. Trainees specifically mentioned include undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows.

8) Is a student education-in-research component required?

Yes. Every application must include a strong student education-in-research component. The FOA description signals that this component is required regardless of which sector leads the application.

9) What does "education-in-research" imply for proposal planning?

From the information provided, DOE is signaling that proposals should include more than just having students assist with tasks. The expectation is a structured, intentional research training environment with clear trainee roles and a credible plan for developing their skills and experience as part of the research effort.

10) Who is eligible to apply or participate?

The opportunity is open to participation from across the academic, nonprofit, and industrial research communities. Any of these sectors may lead or collaborate on an application, as described in the summary provided.

11) Does the FOA support multi-organization or multi-jurisdiction efforts?

Yes. The description highlights improving a jurisdiction or a multi-jurisdiction effort's overall research capability, which implies that coordinated efforts across multiple organizations and potentially multiple jurisdictions are within the intended scope when aligned with EPSCoR eligibility and the capacity-building purpose.

12) What is the maximum award amount?

The FOA lists an award ceiling of $5,000,000.

13) What is the application deadline?

The original application closing date is January 29, 2025.

14) Are renewals allowed, or is this only for new proposals?

The solicitation is for both new and renewal proposals, as stated in the opportunity description.

15) What category of federal assistance is this?

It is described as a discretionary grant program in the science and technology research and development category (CFDA 81.049).

16) What is the main way this program differs from a typical research project grant?

The stated difference is the emphasis on long-term, jurisdiction-level competitiveness and durable capacity building through coordinated, theme-based collaboration. It is not intended to function like a standard investigator-driven research grant supporting an individual faculty member's isolated research agenda.

17) What are common proposal approaches that could be misaligned with the FOA's intent?

Based on the description provided, approaches likely to be misaligned include: (a) a single-investigator project framed as an EPSCoR Implementation Grant, or (b) a bundle of separate research projects that are only loosely related and do not demonstrate meaningful integration, shared goals, and capacity-building outcomes.

18) Where in the FOA should applicants look for additional key requirements?

The FOA references additional details on page 10, which is described as likely containing key requirements or expectations (for example, regarding the education component, teaming structure, or jurisdiction eligibility). The summary provided indicates page 10 should be treated as essential guidance when shaping a compliant and competitive application.

19) What is the intended long-term outcome of funded projects?

The intended outcome is that participating organizations and jurisdictions are better positioned to compete more successfully for future federal research funding due to strengthened research capability, more robust collaboration networks, and developed trainee pipelines aligned to a sustained scientific theme.

20) What does "EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions" indicate about who this program is designed to benefit?

The program is described as specifically designed to strengthen and expand long-term research competitiveness in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions. The core emphasis is on building durable research capacity within those jurisdictions, rather than funding one-off projects.