EPSCoR/IDeA Foundation

Program Description

NIH established the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program in 1993. IDeA—the largest of the EPSCoR-like programs—is designed to broaden the geographic distribution of NIH funding for biomedical research. As authorized by Congress, the program’s intent is to enhance the competitiveness for research funding of institutions located in states with historically low levels of funding and low aggregate success rates for grant applications to the NIH.

Award Components

Currently, the two core components of IDeA are: 1) Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) program and 2) IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program.

COBRE: The COBRE program is designed to increase the pool of well-trained investigators in the IDeA states by expanding research facilities, equipping laboratories with the latest research equipment, providing mentoring for promising candidates, and developing research faculty through support of a targeted multi-disciplinary center, led by an established, senior investigator with expertise in the research focus area of the center.

COBRE goals are to: 1) develop a thematic scientific focus in an NIH area; 2) engage an established investigator, funded by NIH, NSF or other comparable Federal or private sector source to lead the effort; 3) develop the competitiveness of 3 to 5 research projects, each supervised by a junior investigator; 4) define a plan for mentoring, career development, graduation and replacement of junior investigators; and 5) establish long-term plans for developing and sustaining the center, research program, investigators, collaborations and physical infrastructure.

INBREM (formerly BRIN): INBRE increases the pipeline of outstanding students and enhances the quality of science faculty in the IDeA states by networking research intensive and undergraduate institutions. The INBRE program prepares students for graduate and professional schools as well as careers in the biomedical sciences, supports research and mentoring of young investigators, and enhances research infrastructure at participating institutions.

INBRE goals are to: 1) develop a statewide, multi-disciplinary thematic research network of doctoral degree granting/research intensive institutions and undergraduate institutions; 2) build and increase research capacity by supporting faculty, fellows, and students at participating institutions; 3) provide undergraduate faculty and students research support, and serve as a “pipeline” to health research careers; 4) provide outreach to students at undergraduate institutions, community colleges and tribal colleges; and 5) enhance the science and technology knowledge base and the economy statewide.

EPSCoR States

24 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.