NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Rapid Response Research (R3) | NNH24ZHA003C EPSCORR3

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH24ZHA003C EPSCORR3

NASA EPSCoR Rapid Response Research (R3) is a competitive NASA grant opportunity designed to quickly stand up research activities in eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions that align with NASA's current strategic research and technology development priorities. The program is meant to do more than fund an isolated research project. It aims to build long-term research capacity at universities and other higher-education institutions in underrepresented jurisdictions, strengthen local science and technology infrastructure, and support broader economic development within the funded jurisdiction. The work proposed is expected to be relevant to real NASA needs and to produce meaningful contributions that can help advance NASA mission goals.

A central feature of this opportunity is the required collaboration with a NASA researcher. Each selected proposer is expected to work closely with a NASA partner to develop competitive research and technology focused on scientific and technical problems that matter to NASA Mission Directorates and NASA Centers. The alignment areas are identified in Appendix A (NASA Mission Directorates and Center Alignment). In practice, this structure is intended to put EPSCoR-funded researchers in closer working proximity to NASA and, where appropriate, commercial partners, so the research is informed by operational realities and helps build durable connections among universities in EPSCoR jurisdictions, NASA, industry, and other stakeholders.

Eligibility is controlled at the jurisdiction level by the National Science Foundation's EPSCoR eligibility determinations. NASA uses the latest NSF EPSCoR eligibility tables to decide which jurisdictions can apply for this NASA EPSCoR opportunity (the cited reference is the NSF FY 2023 eligibility table). For this specific NOFO, the eligible jurisdictions are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. An additional key limitation is the institutional cap: only three proposals per institution within an eligible EPSCoR jurisdiction will be accepted, which means applicants typically need internal coordination and selection before submission.

On the funding mechanics, the opportunity is issued by NASA as a discretionary program under a cooperative agreement, which generally signals that NASA expects substantial involvement during the period of performance (for example, coordination with NASA personnel, shared planning, and ongoing collaboration), rather than a hands-off grant model. The Funding Opportunity Number is NNH24ZHA003C (EPSCORR3). The CFDA number listed is 43.008. NASA anticipates making about 30 awards, with an award ceiling of $125,000 per award, positioning this as a relatively small, rapid-response style investment intended to catalyze work that can grow into larger, more sustained NASA-aligned efforts.

Administratively, proposals must be submitted through the institution's Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) or an official designee, which is standard for federal funding and ensures the institution formally endorses the submission and can comply with award requirements. The listed closing date for submissions is February 26, 2025. Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted, partnership-driven funding mechanism for eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions to launch or accelerate NASA-relevant research, build capacity at the institutional and jurisdiction level, and deepen ties among academia, NASA, and external partners in priority technical areas.

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Rapid Response Research (R3)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.008.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for NNH24ZHA003C EPSCORR3

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