Building EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory Partnerships

The Building EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory Partnerships funding opportunity, issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, seeks to expand fundamental early-stage energy research collaborations between academic institutions in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions and DOE National Laboratories. This initiative is part of the DOE's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), which is designed to enhance the geographic distribution of DOE research capabilities across the United States. The program aims to support basic scientific discovery while fostering workforce development and research infrastructure in underrepresented states and territories. The program supports fundamental research aligned with the mission areas of DOE’s Office of Science and Applied Energy Offices, including but not limited to disciplines such as physics, chemistry, materials science, environmental science, computing, and engineering. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that leverage the specialized capabilities and user facilities of DOE laboratories. Participation of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, is mandatory. Early-career faculty are strongly encouraged to apply. A key objective is to establish strong, sustainable partnerships that advance DOE’s mission and promote the development of the next generation of researchers. Funding will be distributed over four years, with individual awards ranging from $600,000 to $1,000,000. A total of approximately $35 million is expected to be distributed among 30 to 35 projects. Although formal cost-sharing is not required, applicants must demonstrate institutional or jurisdictional support through contributions such as equipment access, faculty time, or student support. The application must be led by an academic institution from an EPSCoR-eligible jurisdiction, although partnerships with nonprofit and for-profit entities within those jurisdictions are allowed. DOE National Laboratories may not receive funding but must actively participate and provide letters of commitment. Applications must address one of the specific research programs supported by DOE’s Office of Science or Applied Energy Offices, and the proposed research must represent fundamental, non-commercial inquiry. Each proposal must involve a clearly identified research hypothesis and methodology, a management plan, detailed budgets for each institutional partner, and comprehensive supporting documentation including letters of collaboration and institutional commitment. Projects involving multiple institutions must be submitted through a single lead institution with subawards for partners. The submission process includes a mandatory pre-application, due by March 18, 2026, followed by a DOE response indicating whether a full application is encouraged. Full proposals are due by May 21, 2026. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, while pre-applications are handled through DOE’s PAMS system. The selection process will include both responsiveness checks and merit review based on technical merit, team competence, relevance to DOE priorities, and the strength of the proposed collaboration with a national laboratory. Final award announcements are expected by June 2026. The anticipated project period is four years, with awards beginning around August 1, 2026. DOE encourages applicants to attend an informational webinar on March 5, 2026, and to submit all materials well in advance of deadlines. The program is designed not only to drive DOE-aligned scientific progress but also to build long-term research capacity and partnerships in historically underrepresented jurisdictions. Awardees will be expected to participate in annual or biennial PI meetings and coordination activities throughout the performance period.

Emphasize collaboration with national labs, student engagement, and institutional support. Early career researchers encouraged. Strong project management and public benefit alignment are key review criteria.