Seed Grants

The goal of NASA’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is to develop academic research enterprises that are long term, self-sustaining and nationally competitive for non- EPSCoR dollars. This program targets states with modest research infrastructure and provides funding to develop a more competitive research base within higher education research institutions. The Nevada NASA EPSCoR program encompasses all Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions: College of Southern Nevada; Desert Research Institute; Great Basin College; Nevada State College; Truckee Meadows Community College; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; University of Nevada, Reno; and Western Nevada College.

The Nevada NASA EPSCoR office seeks to award funding for the purpose of building scientific expertise, building research infrastructure and strengthening collaborations between NSHE personnel, Industry, and NASA centers. The programmatic aim is to further engage and utilize Nevada’s unique resources and talent for enhancing greater scientific discovery, developing new technologies, and educating students to fulfill the nation’s need for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as they pertain to NASA’s research and exploration enterprises. The request for funds may be based on potential outcomes from prior workshops/meetings with NASA Personnel, team members must be from two or more NSHE institutions, and must produce at least one proposal that targets explicit NASA solicitations or missions. The seed awards will be for activities that accomplish one or more of the following:

  • A – Initiate inter-or multi-disciplinary activities that engage more than single PI efforts.
  • B – Seek to create critical mass or expertise on topics of strategic interest to NASA and
  • C – Seek to engage under-represented groups at all NSHE institutions in research activities. (Note: awardees are also encouraged to motivate students to apply for NV Space Grant fellowships.)

Award recipients are required to attend and make a presentation at the annual NASA EPSCoR/Space Grant Meeting anticipated to occur in the spring or fall of 2016. Awardees will also be responsible for producing a final report that includes: grant proposals submitted; grant proposals funded; papers submitted and/or published in refereed journals; presentations or abstracts at professional meetings, and collaborations with NASA centers and institutions across the state. The screening and selection process will include an internal NSHE review panel that will focus on the following criteria:

  • Potential to lead to a competitive NASA and/ or other agency proposal
  • Alignment with NSHE Science and Technology, Nevada’s Economic Development and NASA Strategic Plan goals
  • Effect on infrastructure for the State’s scientific and engineering research, education, and human resources base, including women, underrepresented minorities, and individuals with disabilities
  • Budget is appropriate for scope