Annual Reporting - Estab­lished Program to Stim­u­late Com­pet­i­tive Research (EPSCoR) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation
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Annual Reporting
Estab­lished Program to Stim­u­late Com­pet­i­tive Research (EPSCoR)
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Overview of EPSCoR annual reporting requirements for principal investigators
EPSCoR's Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) programs (e.g., RII Track-1, RII Track-2, and RII Track-4) integrative programs provide multiyear support to principal investigators (PIs) as continuing awards that are among the largest awarded by NSF. RII Track-1 awards provide up $4 million a year for each year up to five years, and RII Track-2 awards provide up to $1.5 million a year for each year up to four years. Since the duration and size of these awards are extensive, it is necessary for NSF to ensure that its substantial investment is spent appropriately, that each of the projects meets the goals stated in its multi-year strategic plan, and that activities satisfy the goals and objectives of the EPSCoR program. To enable effective oversight of its investment, NSF requires that each currently funded project submit an annual progress report that describes all activities of the project (research, integration of research and education, diversity, workforce development, external engagement, evaluation and assessment, management and sustainability). RII Track-4 awards, though smaller in both scope and duration (up to $300k for up to two years), are also required to submit an annual progress report that describes all activities of the project.
In addition, the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022" requires that EPSCoR report on specific items and, as a result, EPSCoR must seek data from awardees to be able to comply with the directives of the act.
The annual progress reports and associated data are used to:
Evaluate annual progress
. The primary purpose of the annual reports is to provide the information necessary for NSF to monitor and evaluate the progress and accomplishments, as well as to identify problems of individual projects. The annual reports provide background information for the reverse site visit/site visit reviews/evaluations that are conducted by teams of external reviewers and NSF staff. The reviews and evaluations provide feedback to EPSCoR and NSF about strengths, weaknesses and recommendations to address any weaknesses.
Develop internal performance indicators and controls for a project
. The annual reports provide information that is used by the leadership of each project to create and monitor metrics or performance indicators in the management of their projects.
Make funding decisions
. The RII Track-1 and Track-2 awards are funded as cooperative agreements, and funds are allocated to each project on an annual basis. NSF staff use each annual report together with input from the project's external evaluator and findings of the cognizant program officer to make decisions on the continuation and level of funding for the project.
Evaluate overall effectiveness of the program
. The aggregate reports from all projects are used by NSF in evaluating the effectiveness of funding program on an ongoing basis.
Respond to legislative directives
. The aggregate data is used in the reports required by legislation, and in responses to numerous congressional inquiries and NSF senior leadership.
EPSCoR congressional reports
PDF
FY24 EPSCoR Congressional Report
(PDF, 209.65 KB)
This report summarizes fiscal year (FY) 2024 NSF funding to institutions and entities in EPSCoR jurisdictions, as required by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act Sec. 103(d)(1-3).
PDF
FY23 EPSCoR Congressional Report
(PDF, 202.25 KB)
This report summarizes fiscal year (FY) 2023 NSF funding to institutions and entities in EPSCoR jurisdictions, as required by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act Sec. 103(d)(1-3).
PDF
FY22 EPSCoR Congressional Report
(PDF, 146.43 KB)
This report summarizes fiscal year (FY) 2022 NSF funding to institutions and entities in EPSCoR jurisdictions, as required by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act Sec. 103(d)(1-3).
PDF
FY21 EPSCoR Congressional Report
(PDF, 183.57 KB)
This report summarizes fiscal year (FY) 2021 NSF funding to institutions and entities in EPSCoR jurisdictions, as required by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act Sec. 103(d)(1-3).
PDF
FY20 EPSCoR Congressional Report
(PDF, 295.93 KB)
This report summarizes fiscal year (FY) 2020 NSF funding to institutions and entities in EPSCoR jurisdictions, as required by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act Sec. 103(d)(1-3).
PI Tools for EPSCoR Annual Reporting
The Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
The PAPPG is comprised of documents relating to the Foundation's proposal and award process for NSF's funding opportunities
EPSCoR Data Outcomes Collection System
EDOCS is a tool used to monitor projects' progress & participants, and generate annual reporting information for projects and programs across EPSCoR
E-CORE RII and E-RISE RII Renewal Site Visit Guidelines
(PDF, 291.47 KB)
The following guidelines aim to assist E-CORE RII and E-RISE RII Principal Investigators (PIs)/Project Directors (PDs) in the preparation for the project’s renewal site visit (RnSV)
2026 RII FEC Annual Reporting Guidelines
(PDF, 240.13 KB)
2026 RII FEC Annual Reporting Guidelines
2026 E-CORE and E-RISE RII Annual and Renewal Project Reporting Guidelines
(PDF, 1.4 MB)
The purpose of this document is to assist E-CORE RII and E-RISE RII Principal Investigators (PIs)/Project Directors (PDs) in the preparation of annual and renewal project reports required by EPSCoR
2026 EPSCoR RII Track-1 Annual Reporting Guidance
(PDF, 377.75 KB)
2026 EPSCoR RII Track-1 Annual Reporting Guidance
2026 RII EPSCoR Research Fellows Reporting Guidelines
(PDF, 348.31 KB)
2026 RII EPSCoR Research Fellows Reporting Guidelines
EPSCoR Data Outcomes Collection System Webinar
This webinar provides details for the system used for EPSCoR’s RII Track-1 and Track-2 annual data reporting requirements. It provides how-to information and addresses questions from the user community. Please note, this video and EDOCS itself is meant for EPSCoR awardees only.
Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation
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