News & Updates

NASA’s Physical Sciences Research Program has selected five ground-based proposals in response to the Physical Sciences Informatics System call for proposals. This program element is part of Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences - 2021 (ROSES-2021) solicitation. These five research projects, involving recognized experts in the fields of combustion science, complex fluids, fluid physics, informatics, and materials science, will use data contained in the PSI system and build on prior reduced-gravity research to advance fundamental research in the physical sciences.

The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) program is part of NIH’s efforts to enhance diversity within the academic biomedical research workforce, and is designed to facilitate the transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds, for example individuals from groups underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce at the faculty level, into independent, tenure-track or equivalent research-intensive faculty positions. The program has two components: an institutionally-focused research education cooperative agreement (UE5) and an individual postdoctoral career transition award (K99/R00) to enhance diversity. The objective of the MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00) is to enhance workforce diversity by facilitating a timely transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds from their mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent research-intensive faculty positions.

NSF has announced 22 new awards through its NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program. The $58 million investment, including $6.9 million of support from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, expands the program to comprise 43 states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands. This NSF program supports graduate students, educates the STEM leaders of tomorrow and strengthens the national research infrastructure. The awardees will focus on research and development in artificial intelligence and quantum information science and engineering – both national priorities of utmost importance.

Hosted by the University of Maine’s EPSCoR Office, the 27th NSF EPSCoR National Conference welcomes faculty, researchers, students and staff from EPSCoR jurisdictions around the country. Come Nov 13-16 for engaging speakers, breakout sessions and student poster presentations in Portland, Maine.

The NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, or TIP, is pleased to share an exciting event opportunity. NSF’s Convergence Accelerator, a TIP program, is hosting its annual portfolio showcase event – Convergence Accelerator Expo 2022, virtual, July 27-28.

First Hydropower Collegiate Competition and 2023 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition Competitors Also Announced The DOE has announced the winners of the 2022 Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC). Alongside the 2022 MECC winners, DOE also announced the new wave of students who will compete in the inaugural Hydropower Collegiate Competition (HCC) and 2023 MECC.

The DOE has announced the selection of 83 early career scientists from across the country to receive $110 million in funding for research covering a wide range of topics, from holography to particle accelerators. This year’s awardees represent 47 universities and 13 National Labs in 29 states. These awards are a part of the DOE’s long-standing efforts to develop the next generation of STEM leaders who will solidify America’s role as the driver of science and innovation around the world. Recipients from DOE EPSCoR jurisdictions include:

NSF is pleased to announce the next webinar in the 2022 NSF Policy Office Webinar Series, covering Subawards: Assessment, Approval, and Monitoring, will take place on June 30, 2 to 3 pm EST. There is no cost to participate.

The DOE has announced it will work with 12 competitively selected remote and island communities around the United States to help strengthen their energy infrastructure, reduce the risk of outages, and improve their future energy and economic outlook. Through the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), DOE and its national and regional partners will support projects in communities that, due to their geographic isolation, often face high energy costs and vulnerable energy infrastructure due to their increased risk of natural disasters and climate change. ETIPP will leverage the world-class expertise of DOE's experts and National Labs to advance local clean energy solutions and improve resilience for the 12 selected communities which, like other remote and island areas, often lack the financial resources and the access to experts to plan a clean energy transition. Selected communities in EPSCoR jurisdictions are:

The DOE Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) challenges interdisciplinary teams of undergrad students from a variety of programs to offer a unique solution to a complex wind energy project using the multi-faceted elements highlighted below, providing each student with real-world experience as they prepare to enter the wind industry workforce.

Twelve competing teams and four learn-along teams participated in the 2022 CWC, which took place May 16-18 in conjunction with the American Clean Power Association’s CLEANPOWER 2022 Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio. After presenting their work to a panel of wind energy experts, Kansas State University claimed first place. KSU also won the Turbine Testing Contest.

The 2022 CWC focused on the challenges associated with fixed-bottom offshore wind projects. By participating in the 2022 competition, students developed the skills, experience, and industry connections that will help them break into the growing offshore wind energy industry and the wider renewable energy industry.