The goal of NASA EPSCoR is to provide seed funding that will enable jurisdictions to develop an academic research enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally-competitive capabilities in aerospace and aerospace-related research.

NASA EPSCoR objectives are to:

• Contribute to and promote the development of research infrastructure in NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions in areas of strategic importance to the NASA mission
• Improve the capabilities of the jurisdictions to gain support from sources outside the NASA EPSCoR program
• Develop partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions, and industry
• Contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, higher education, and/or economic development of the jurisdiction
• Work in close coordination with Space Grant to improve the environment for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the jurisdiction

The two main components of NASA EPSCoR are:

• EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development, or RID. This component enables jurisdictions to build and strengthen relationships with NASA researchers. The RID has a three-year base period of performance with a potential single, two-year renewable period of performance. Awards are $125,000 per year. NASA intends to announce the RID opportunity every three to five years, pending funding availability.
• EPSCoR Research Awards solicits topic-specific proposals addressing high-priority NASA research and technology development needs. Awards are up to $750,000 for a three-year performance period. NASA intends to announce the EPSCoR CAN for Research Awards yearly, pending funding availability.