The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently announced the first-ever Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) investment of $19.6 million to nearly 50 teams at U.S. institutions of higher education.
Through this investment, EPIIC awardees will receive support to develop capacity and institutional knowledge to help them build new partnerships, secure future external funding, and tap into their regional innovation ecosystems.
Each institution – which includes teams from historically Black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and community colleges – will receive up to $400,000 over three years.
“NSF aspires to accelerate the nation’s research and innovation enterprise and empower all Americans to participate in the science- and technology-driven workforce,” said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP).
“EPIIC reinforces NSF’s commitment to develop new, inclusive innovation ecosystems by connecting diverse networks of partners to work together to drive the expansion of key technologies – and the technology workforce – in the U.S. and in turn address pressing national, societal and geostrategic challenges,” he added.
Launched by the TIP Directorate, EPIIC works with institutions interested in growing external partnerships and building innovation capacity.
NSF recognizes that many institutions – including minority-serving institutions, small academic institutions, and two-year institutions – stand to benefit from additional focused support for the infrastructure and resources needed to grow external partnerships and to tap into innovation ecosystems – including engaging with NSF Engines.
“NSF recognizes that institutions with limited research capacities require comprehensive support to become equitable partners in their regional innovation ecosystems,” said Thyaga Nandagopal, director of TIP’s Division of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems. “This funding aims to set EPIIC awardees on level ground to seek and build lasting partnerships to tap into their innovation potential, and the capacity-building efforts will continue to provide significant innovation partnership opportunities well into the future.”
Examples of some of the awards include Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for “building the future workforce together” and College of Southern Nevada for “cultivating innovation and research capacity for life sustaining emerging technologies.”
NSF also announced the next EPIIC funding opportunity, which will close on May 16, 2024.
