EPSCoR Program
Alabama Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is a consortium of academic, government and industry organizations established in 1985. EPSCoR is sponsored by the State of Alabama and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Seven Ph.D. granting institutions constitute the EPSCoR program in Alabama include: Alabama A&M University, Auburn University, Tuskegee University, University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the University of South Alabama. The primary goal of the consortium is to establish the infrastructure, capacity and capability needed to increase sustained national science and technology research competitiveness.
The mission of Alabama NSF EPSCoR, headquartered at Tuskegee University, is to foster the growth of research capacity and capability in the state of Alabama in order to make the institutions of higher education more competitive for federal funding.
Program Overview
Alabama EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) program, under the guidance of EPSCoR Steering Committee (the governing board of ALEPSCoR) is united under the common research theme of Integrated Nano-BioScience/Biosensors (NBS). The program is anchored through four integrated thrusts with goals focused on discovery and technological innovation in complementary fields that include: nano-molecular and bioenvironmental science; nanomaterials and composites; nanofabrication; and optical sensing. These thrusts are further integrated through the overarching Alabama Educational Outreach Initiative (AEOI), which serves to engage students, teachers and scientists at all levels, statewide, in related STEM activities and research experiences. From innovation to application, no single thrust can address all of the goals of the Alabama program. Therefore, through complementary and collaborative efforts, the current ALEPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) effort functions with one synergistic purpose: to create, explore and develop new ideas, tools and integrated nano-/biotechnologies and materials; understand the challenges and opportunities associated with and risks attendant to the application of such technologies in living systems; and to promote development of Alabama as an interdisciplinary innovation incubator and economic engine that can produce and attract the next generation of nano-/bioscientists and engineers.