NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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Contents

AK - 18-EPSCoR RID-0016..............................................................................................................................3

Alaska's NASA EPSCoR Program 2019-2021 .............................................................................................3

AL - 18-EPSCoR RID-0022 ..............................................................................................................................4

Alabama NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development FY19 .......................................................4

AR - 18-EPSCoR RID-0019..............................................................................................................................5

Arkansas NASA EPSCoR RID 2019 ............................................................................................................5

DE - 18-EPSCoR RID-0015..............................................................................................................................6

Developing Nationally Competitive NASA Research in Delaware.............................................................6

GU - 18-EPSCoR RID-0010 .............................................................................................................................7

NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program FY2019....................................................7

HI - 18-EPSCoR RID-0024...............................................................................................................................9

The Hawaii NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program .............................................9

ID - 18-EPSCoR RID-0026.............................................................................................................................10

Idaho NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development 2019 - 2021 ...............................................10

KS - 18-EPSCoR RID-0020 ............................................................................................................................12

The Kansas NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) Program ..................................12

KY - 18-EPSCoR RID-0007 ............................................................................................................................13

NASA Kentucky EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 2019-2021...................................13

LA - 18-EPSCoR RID-0018 ............................................................................................................................15

New Development for Louisiana Aerospace Research............................................................................15

ME - 18-EPSCoR RID-0006...........................................................................................................................16

Maine NASA EPSCoR Program 2019-2021 RID Proposal ........................................................................16

MS - 18-EPSCoR RID-0011...........................................................................................................................17

Mississippi NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) Program ...................................17

MT - 18-EPSCoR RID-0014...........................................................................................................................18

Montana NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure (RID) Program 2019-2021..........................................18

ND - 18-EPSCoR RID-0023 ...........................................................................................................................20

North Dakota NASA EPSCoR: Proposal to Expand Research Infrastructure and Capabilities in ND .......20

NE - 18-EPSCoR RID-0008............................................................................................................................21

NASA Nebraska EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) Program FY 2019-2021 ..............21

NH - 18-EPSCoR RID-0017 ...........................................................................................................................22
NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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New Hampshire NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program 2019-2022 .................22

NV - 18-EPSCoR RID-0009 ...........................................................................................................................23

Nevada NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program.................................................23

OK - 18-EPSCoR RID-0025 ...........................................................................................................................25

NASA Oklahoma EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development............................................................25

PR - 18-EPSCoR RID-0021............................................................................................................................26

PR NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development ........................................................................26

RI - 18-EPSCoR RID-0027.............................................................................................................................27

Rhode Island NASA EPSCOR Research Infrastructure and Development Grant......................................27

SC - 18-EPSCoR RID-0001 ............................................................................................................................28

SC NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development 2019-2021 ......................................................28

SD - 18-EPSCoR RID-0003............................................................................................................................29

South Dakota NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program........................................29

VI - 18-EPSCoR RID-0028.............................................................................................................................30

NASA EPSCoR in the Virgin Islands..........................................................................................................30

VT - 18-EPSCoR RID-0012............................................................................................................................32

VT NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) - Phase VI..............................................32

WV - 18-EPSCoR RID-0002 ..........................................................................................................................33

RID in West Virginia: A Proposal to NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research ....33

WY - 18-EPSCoR RID-0013...........................................................................................................................34

Wyoming NASA EPSCoR RID Proposal: FY 2019 - 2021...........................................................................34

 
NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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AK - 18-EPSCoR RID-0016 

Director: Dr. Denise Thorsen

University Of Alaska, Fairbanks

Alaska's NASA EPSCoR Program 2019-2021

The Alaska State Committee on Research (SCoR) updated the Alaska Science and Technology Plan, To 

Build a Fire [see https://www.alaska.edu/research/research/scor/] in 2016. In this report, they present 

a road map for Alaska science and technology development which they organize into seven specific 

areas to which Alaska’s unique characteristics lend themselves” Each of the EPSCoR programs (NASA, 

NSF, DOE, etc.) currently active in the state look to this document to find the commonality between 

Alaska’s research interests and those of the federal agency. This proposal outlines those commonalities 

between Alaska’s S&T plan and NASA’s 2018 Strategic Plan.

Specifically, this NASA EPSCoR RID proposal seeks to build Alaska’s research infrastructure and 

technology capabilities in areas of interest to Alaska by providing seed funding and training that will lead 

toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally-competitive capabilities in support of NASA related 

research and technology priorities.

Goal: Increase Alaska’s ability to respond to research and technology development needs of NASA and 

the State and to partner with Alaska’s aerospace industry to expand the space-related capabilities within 

the State.

Objective 1: Develop research infrastructure by awarding a minimum of three Research 

Development Seed Grants per year in areas of strategic importance to NASA and Alaska which lead to a 

minimum of three follow-on proposals submitted per year.

Objective 2: Facilitate new partnerships with NASA researchers by providing Partnership 

Development Travel Grants to attend NASA EPSCoR annual Technical Interchange Meetings and/or 

other NASA related workshops that will lead to a minimum of one new collaborative proposal per year.

Objective 3: Promote commercialization and collaboration with industry by supporting faculty and 

student participation in relevant workshops such as NASA’s Small Business Technology Infusion Road 

Tour and Lean Launch startup workshops which leads to one significant university/industry

collaboration.

 
NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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AL - 18-EPSCoR RID-0022 

Director: Dr. Lawrence Thomas

University Of Alabama, Huntsville

Alabama NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development FY19

The purpose of the Alabama NASA EPSCoR RID program is to build core capabilities at Alabama’s 

universities and other collaborative institutions. We shall build competitive research and technology 

development capabilities in areas of interest to both NASA and the State of Alabama. The interests of 

NASA are defined in the CAN (pages 6,7 and 8), in the 2014 NASA Strategic Plan, and by the 3 strategic 

goals of the Office of Education’s ARCD. The interests of the State of Alabama in this regard are defined 

by the Alabama State EPSCoR Committee (SEC), which oversees all EPSCoR programs within the state. 

The PI of this proposal is Dr. L. Dale Thomas, the Alabama NASA EPSCoR Director, the Alabama Space 

Grant Consortium Director, and a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Alabama 

proposes a RID program based on the following elements:

 Seed research grants to researchers in early stages of their careers

 Faculty research support

 Development of cooperative ties with NASA Centers
NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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AR - 18-EPSCoR RID-0019 

Director: Dr. Mitchell Hudson

University of Arkansas, Little Rock

Arkansas NASA EPSCoR RID 2019

Proposal Summary Arkansas NASA EPSCoR plans to:

 Continue to fund the NASA EPSCoR program office to ensure continued momentum and good 

progress in NASA relevant aerospace research in Arkansas

 Continue our Planning and Preparatory (P&P) Grant program to enable Arkansas researchers to 

obtain NASA EPSCoR Research Award funding

 Continue our Planning and Preparatory (P&P) Travel Grant program to enable Arkansas 

researchers to obtain funding for teams of researchers to visit NASA Centers, Mission 

Directorates or the Office of Chief Technologist. 

 Conduct a statewide annual workshop to disseminate information and know-how to potential 

Research Award competitors

 Conduct a statewide one day long NASA EPSCoR Conference, in conjunction with the annual 

Arkansas EPSCoR Conference if possible, to bring NASA and other agency sponsored individuals 

together

 
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DE - 18-EPSCoR RID-0015 

Director: Prof. William Matthaeus

University Of Delaware

Developing Nationally Competitive NASA Research in Delaware

The aim of NASA’s EPSCoR RID program is to stimulate and support new collaborations within a state in 

order to develop research infrastructure in that state. The major goals of the program include both 

academic and industrial components: (i) develop new collaborative activities among researchers in 

academia and researchers at NASA Centers so that the academic researchers may become better 

equipped and /or better prepared to submit successful research applications to competitive programs 

announced by NASA and other agencies; (ii) develop links with industry to identify research areas that 

align with the state’s economic priorities. In the present proposal, we describe how NASA’s goals for 

EPSCoR RID may be implemented in the State of Delaware.
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GU - 18-EPSCoR RID-0010 

Director: Dr. John Peterson

University of Guam

NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program FY2019

Project Summary

The NASA Guam EPSCoR program supports the NASA Earth and Ocean Science Mission by developing 

capacity at the University of Guam to utilize remote sensing data from NASA satellite imagery, to 

provide real-world localities to test geospatial data and methodologies including NASA Synthetic 

Aperture Radar and the newly developed MIDAR technology. UOG partners with NASA scientists at 

JPL/CALTECH and Ames Research Centers to address critical challenges in water security, coral reef 

conservation, terrestrial land change, and biodiversity in the Pacific Islands. The RID will fund three 

initiatives that will support faculty and advanced students at UOG: In Initiative 1 NASA satellite imagery 

will be used to support analyses of earth and ocean science activities. Activity 1 GEOCORE: UOG faculty 

will be collecting and analyzing datasets pertaining to sea surface temperatures, ocean currents, and 

sediment transport and loads in order to evaluate coral reef health and create a predictive model for 

fish spawning aggregation sites. Using Synthetic Aperture Radar data downloaded at the NASA Alaska 

Satellite Facility including ESA Sentinel-1 and in the near future with the NASA NISAR satellite platform 

NASA Guam EPSCoR proposes to expand the use of Guam and other islands in the western Pacific as 

calibration and evaluation sites for SAR investigations, and to apply the resulting observations to earth 

and ocean science investigations of resilience and sustainability of regional resources. Activity 2 

ACTUAS: UOG will be partnering with UH-Manoa through ACTUAS to test their self-autonomous UAVs to 

detect submarine freshwater plumes. Understanding how these submarine plumes respond to changes 

in precipitation, ENSO, and drought can provide insights into Guam’s primary source of freshwater. 

Furthermore, the karst landscape bears a striking resemblance to one of Saturn’s moons. UOG will be 

partnering with JPL to explore Guam as potential testing and calibration site for remote sensing 

technology that characerizes karst landscapes. In Initiative 2, RID funding will be used to support 

faculty and administrative contributions toward developing a science education, workforce training, and 

fiber cable hub, and research station at the location of the former Apollo 11 Manned Space Flight Center 

(MSFC) Tracking Station in Dandan, Majoljol, Guam. In Initiative 3 UOG’s NASA EPSCoR program will 

partner with Ames Research Center’s laboratory for Advanced Sensing (LAS) to use fluid lensing and 

MIDAR toward high resolution coral reef mapping efforts and rapid coral bleaching assessments on 

Guam and in Micronesia. These collaborations with NASA geospatial science programs will contribute 

toward satellite-based monitoring for sustainable ecosystem services in small island nations. The islands 

are at risk from rising sea level, increasingly arid weather patterns, extreme storm events, and increasing 

sea surface temperatures. Working with NASA earth and ocean science programs and researchers the 

University of Guam’s NASA EPSCoR program is building capacity for GIS and management of robust 

datasets that will contribute to sustainable management of these threatened resources. Further, 

through the administrative focus of the NASA EPSCoR and the NSF EPSCoR programs and the supportive 

Technical Advisory Committee and Science and Technology Board at UOG there is synergy toward 

develoing a science education, workforce training, and Challenger Education Center at the site of the 

Apollo 11 Manned Space Flight program tracking station in the Dandan area of southern Guam. The 
NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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Apollo MSFC facility has the potential to house these programs as well as the EPSCoR activities for the 

NASA and the NSF EPSCor programs at UOG and to make a major impact on science development, STEM 

education, and public engagement with NASA earth and ocean science programs as well as possibly 

rocketry and UAV activities as the program expands in coming years.

 
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HI - 18-EPSCoR RID-0024 

Director: Dr. Luke Flynn

University of Hawaii, Honolulu

The Hawaii NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program

The objectives of Hawaii NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) proposal are threefold: (1) We will assist and lead the development of a new aerospace economy in Hawaii that is centered 

on small satellites and UAVs. (1a) Dedicated Small Launch“ We will support new DoD and commercial 

launch requests from the Pacific Missile Range Facility rail launcher on Kauai. We will co-manage the 

development of the Pacific Spaceport Complex “ Hawaii (PSCH) - a new small launch site on the Big 

Island of Hawaii. (1b) Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory (HSFL) was established in 2007 to facilitate the 

design, building, testing, launching, and operating small satellites from the Hawaiian Islands. HSFL 

continues to develop and support UH Faculty small satellite and UAV instrument, software, and 

hardware projects. (1c) Managing/Facilitating State Aerospace Infrastructure Development â€“ In 

addition to the development of PSCH, management of other aerospace-related projects include 

planning the $12M (State funded) Innovation and Manufacturing Center (IMC) for Hilo, augmenting the 

infrastructure of UH-Hilo and Hawaii Community College to support local aerospace workforce 

development, and upgrading the Kauai CC ground station with software defined radios. (2) We will 

encourage new NASA infrastructure development in Hawaii by providing seed grants and travel grants 

to investigators willing to work with NASA Centers or Mission Directorates. (3) We will continue to 

partner with Guam on NASA research projects in order to increase collaborative efforts.

 
NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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ID - 18-EPSCoR RID-0026 

Director: Dr. Joseph Law

University Of Idaho, Moscow

Idaho NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development 2019 - 2021

Central objectives of the proposal: 

Idaho NASA EPSCoR is dedicated to increasing Idaho’s competitive research capabilities in areas aligned 

with NASA’s missions and activities. Idaho NASA EPSCoR is guided by the following Vision, Mission, and 

Strategic Goals that align with NASA’s priorities while serving the unique needs of Idaho. 

Vision: A nationally-competitive aerospace research capability in Idaho

Mission: To provide opportunities, foster collaboration, stimulate research, and develop innovation in 

Idaho

Strategic Goals: 

Goal 1: Promote the development of research expertise and infrastructure that will allow Idaho 

researchers to compete nationally in areas of strategic interest to NASA and help to retain qualified 

early career scientists and engineers in Idaho.

Goal 2: Develop partnerships with NASA and industry that enable Idaho’s researchers and students to 

contribute to NASA’s missions through innovative research opportunities. 

Goal 3: Support research in areas that will enhance economic development in Idaho.

Methods/techniques proposed to accomplish the proposal objectives: 

Through the proposed work, the Idaho NASA EPSCoR will execute a portfolio of competitive and meritbased projects to enhance Idaho’s research capabilities in areas of interest to NASA. The majority of 

funds will support competitive research initiation grants and collaboration grants. In addition to the 

competitive grants, Idaho NASA EPSCoR will identify promising Idaho researchers to attend the 

Technical Interchange Meetings organized by NASA EPSCoR to help initiate further collaboration 

between NASA and Idaho researchers. All of the proposed activities align with Idaho NASA EPSCoR’s 

Vision, Mission, Strategic Goals, Objectives and Priorities. 

Perceived significance of proposed work: 

Idaho NASA EPSCoR’s programs are designed to increase development and use of aerospace and STEM 

workforce and infrastructure through competitive opportunities and partnerships with Idaho institutions 

of higher education, state and federal agencies, and other STEM-focused organizations.

Data Management Plan: The administration of this research infrastructure development project will not 

directly generate scientific data; however, the sub-awards that will be made from it may generate data. 

As a condition of funding, Idaho NASA EPSCoR will require that researchers are aware of NASA's Plan for 

increasing access to the results of federally-funded research - and that any articles in peer-reviewed 
NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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journals or papers from conferences are uploaded to NASA's PubSpace at: 

http://www.nihms.nih.gov/db/sub.cgi 
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KS - 18-EPSCoR RID-0020 

Director: Dr. Leonard Miller

Wichita State University

The Kansas NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) Program

The Kansas NASA EPSCoR RID Program

 
NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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KY - 18-EPSCoR RID-0007 

Director: Dr. Suzanne Smith

University Of Kentucky, Lexington

NASA Kentucky EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 2019-2021

The Kentucky Statewide EPSCoR Program’s mission is to enhance the research and intellectual capacity 

of the state's universities and colleges by building and coordinating strategic investments in human 

capital necessary for Kentucky to excel in federal R&D funding competitiveness. This mission aligns with 

Kentucky's economic development strategy, which stresses the transition to advanced manufacturing, 

leveraging growth areas like aerospace, and the development of an innovation economy driven by the 

strengths of its educational system: cutting-edge R&D and a highly educated workforce.

Supporting this statewide mission, NASA Kentucky EPSCoR's goals are to enhance capacity through 

strategic investments in NASA-priority research areas and to increase researcher competitiveness for 

non-EPSCoR NASA funding. A key factor in achieving the latter goal is initiation of relationships between 

Kentucky’s and NASA’s researchers that can develop into partnerships. Every aspect of the current RID 

portfolio emphasizes this process of relationship-building, including pursuing collaborations that enable 

commercial space partnerships.

To reach these goals, four specific objectives of the NASA Kentucky EPSCoR program align with those of 

the NASA EPSCoR program: 1) to develop human research infrastructure in areas strategically important 

to NASA, 2) to gain support from non-EPSCoR sources, 3) to develop NASA Partnerships, 4) to develop 

science, technology and economic capacity.

The centerpiece of the NASA KY EPSCoR RID Program is the Research Infrastructure Development Grant 

(RIDG) competitively awarded to faculty for one year. RIDG proposals to NASA KY stress collaborative 

relationship building with NASA. Faculty principle investigators (PIs) must include a letter of 

collaboration from a NASA collaborator based on prior interactions, describe a schedule for regular 

contact with the NASA collaborator and plans for a visit to the NASA site and, if funded, are expected to 

result in submission of a jointly authored paper to a conference or journal.

To assist researchers in establishing initial connections with NASA and developing interdisciplinary 

research teams, faculty are encouraged to submit proposals for Workshop/Conference/Seminar awards 

(WCS). Workshop funding builds Kentucky and NASA partnerships to develop interdisciplinary teams 

interested in pursuing the three-year EPSCoR Research Area (RA) or other nationally competitive 

solicitations. Conference funding provides partial support for a local, regional, national or international 

meeting hosted in Kentucky focused on NASA related research. Seminar funding supports a series of 

seminars or webinars on an aerospace topic.

Faculty Travel (FT) awards are also awarded to assist faculty in developing new relationships with NASA. 

Individual travel awards are awarded to researchers after review of the application, which must include 

a NASA invitation to visit and discuss potential collaboration. Analysis of the EPSCoR RAs awarded to KY 

shows that, to be competitive nationally, it is necessary for a proposed project to have multiple NASA 

connections. Helping new-to-NASA PIs make an all-important initial contact will enable successful 

submissions for RIDG awards; allowing RIDG PIs to develop relationships and expand their network will 
NASA EPSCoR 2019 Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 

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prepare them for RA submissions and national non-EPSCoR competitive solicitations in subsequent 

years.

In addition to managing the proposal submission competitions, NASA KY management also tracks and 

communicates the impact of NASA Kentucky EPSCoR Programs.

 
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LA - 18-EPSCoR RID-0018 

Director: Prof. T. Gregory Guzik

Louisiana Board Of Regents

New Development for Louisiana Aerospace Research

Louisiana’s commitment to Aerospace Science & Technology development has been well established 

over the decades. We have a diverse cadre of researchers working on active NASA & NASA-related 

projects across institutions and facilities in the state, and there is an increasing understanding that a 

highly skilled technical workforce is necessary for our long-term goals. The NASA ESPCoR program is a 

crucial contributor to the continued growth of Aerospace Science & Technology development. Louisiana 

participates in all of the agency EPSCoR programs through the Office of Sponsored Programs at the 

Louisiana Board of Regents (BoR), which provides state matching funds and, consequently, acts as the 

fiscal agent for the EPSCoR programs. Program management & technical oversight is conducted 

primarily out of the Louisiana Space Grant/NASA EPSCoR office housed at LSU. The two offices work intandem to fulfill the mission-driven requirements of NASA while buoying the infrastructure 

development needs of the state. 

Louisiana’s strategy for EPSCoR success involves Engagement, Collaboration and Partnership. We 

engage faculty, post-docs, and students in performing research projects; we develop 

Collaborations/Mentorships between NASA scientists/engineers and the Louisiana research community, 

and we establish Partnerships between educational institutions (minority and majority) and with 

external facilities and other agencies. We are currently working with most of the designated research 

universities in the State, many of the smaller less research-intensive institutions, with the Michoud 

Facility in New Orleans, and with Stennis Space Center through both EPSCoR and the Louisiana Space 

Grant (LaSPACE). The NASA EPSCoR RID Award provides financial support and a framework to improve 

the research infrastructure in Louisiana while supporting the mission goals at NASA.

During our previous 3-year cycle alone â€“ through several small-scale, but targeted programs â€“ we 

supported 13 different faculty researchers, representing 7 different Louisiana Universities (LaTech, LSU, 

Southern-BR, Southern-NO, ULL, UNO, and Xavier) to conduct research projects in collaboration with 11 

NASA researchers from 5 NASA Centers (Ames, Glenn, Johnson, Marshall, and Stennis). In June 2018 

Louisiana NASA EPSCoR RID funding will bring a dozen researchers from 7 campuses to Goddard Space 

Flight Center in Maryland for a NASA Technical Interchange Meeting. These meetings allow interested 

Louisiana researchers an opportunity to discuss current projects and support needs with active NASA 

scientists and engineers, which could lead to future collaborations. Our goal for the next three years is 

to build upon our previous successful TAP, SAR, & RAP subprograms to expand and improve New 

Development for Louisiana Aerospace Research.

 
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ME - 18-EPSCoR RID-0006 

Director: Dr. Terry Shehata

Maine Space Grant Consortium

Maine NASA EPSCoR Program 2019-2021 RID Proposal

During the previous 2015-2018 RID Program period of performance, we invested in three Visioneering 

Workshops. In the absence of a state vision for economic growth, of the three, the brainstorming 

around the Maine SpacePort Complex provided THE vision that could galvanize the public and all sectors 

of Maine’s economy to generate excitement and investments in research and education infrastructure 

for a new space economy. The investments in education and research infrastructure for the Maine 

SpacePort Complex could be the rising tide that lifted all boats. In other words, the investments for the 

complex would also enable education, training, and research and commercialization in other industry 

areas. The Maine SpacePort Complex is not the vision of the Maine NASA EPSCoR Program but a shared 

vision of the stakeholders, including the Maine NASA EPSCoR Program, who took part in the Visioneering 

workshop and were inspired to use a new space economy to generate economic growth in Maine. 

Although early in the statewide public acceptance phase, from our perspective, this is a unifying vision, a 

potential outcome of the Visioneering workshop strategy, which integrates several of the research 

themes in a manner that connects to Maine’s base of industry and supports the growth of Maine 

Technology Institute’s technology clusters. It is a vision that informs the Maine NASA EPSCoR’s role and 

guide our investments. Of the many components of the Complex, it seems fitting that the role of the 

Maine NASA EPSCoR Program is to use RID funds to seed research and and technology development 

activities that lay the foundation for realizing the potential of the Maine SpacePort Complex. This 

strategy aligns with the purpose of RID which is to build the core strength needed to increase 

competitive research and technology development methods and activities for the solution of scientific 

and technical problems of importance to NASA and to Maine. Therefore, our goal is to contribute to the 

development of a new space economy in Maine as envisioned by the Maine SpacePort Complex. Our 

strategy is to leverage the investments made by Maine NASA EPSCoR in the research themes over the 

last decade to build the core strengths needed to increase competitive research and technology 

development methods and activities for the solution of scientific and technical problems of importance 

to the new Space Value Chain. Our objective for the next three years is to annually seed up to three 

potential ground-breaking research and technology development projects around opportunities in the 

new Space Value Chain.

 
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MS - 18-EPSCoR RID-0011 

Director: Dr. Nathan Murray

University Of Mississippi

Mississippi NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) Program

The Mississippi NASA EPSCoR Director proposes a competitive seed grant program to strengthen 

Mississippi’s research competitiveness. Individual seed grants will (a) build on the current strengths of 

individual members of the Consortium, (b) focus these strengths on issues of particular relevance to

NASA, and (c) increase the applicability of Mississippi’s research to areas of interest within NASA. MSSGC 

uses the RID program to fill a unique role by infusing NASA investment into human research asset 

development. The goal is to provide initiation funds to set in motion the maturation of innovative 

research and technology ventures that are relevant to NASA and NASA related Mississippi industry. The 

competitive seed grant opportunities are focused on developing and/or maturing research activities that 

explore promising research avenues, establish or strengthen collaboration between researchers in the 

Jurisdiction, and enhance MS research relevance to NASA through communication/collaboration with 

NASA scientists.
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MT - 18-EPSCoR RID-0014 

Director: Dr. Angela Des Jardins

Montana State University, Bozeman

Montana NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure (RID) Program 2019-2021

Since the beginning of the NASA EPSCoR program in Montana in 1994, great strides have been made in 

developing and coordinating Montana research activities aimed at solving current technical and 

scientific problems facing NASA and the aerospace community. These accomplishments and their 

resulting infrastructure have given many Montana researchers opportunities to work with NASA that 

were not present prior to the implementation of NASA EPSCoR program. Due to the success achieved 

thus far, the goals for the Montana NASA EPSCoR RID program will remain consistent with those of the 

earlier program. 

GOALS

RID-Specific Goal: Help boost the research programs of Montana higher education faculty research in 

areas that match scientific and technical problems of importance to NASA to a new level of national 

prominence, enabling them to compete successfully for regular NASA research funding. 

General Montana NASA EPSCoR Goals:

Goal 1. Bring the capabilities of Montana’s nationally competitive researchers to the attention of NASA.

Goal 2. Build infrastructure to enhance Montana’s capabilities and expertise in areas of importance to 

NASA, focusing on institutions of higher learning. 

Goal 3. Use EPSCoR sponsored research to strengthen partnerships with Montana’s high-tech 

companies and drive the growth of Montana's aerospace-related economy.

Goal 4. Focus on building nationally prominent, competitive research groups at Montana's major 

universities while also providing collaborative opportunities to faculty members at smaller institutions.

SMART OBJECTIVES

RID Project Element A: Research Initiation Grants

Research Initiation Grant Objectives

A1. Continue to evaluate Research Initiation Grant proposals based on the following criteria: 

1) Scientific/Engineering impact, 

2) NASA connection, 

3) Technical feasibility, 

4) Broader impacts (such as state research infrastructure and economic development), 

5) Suitability of the proposed research team, and 

6) Probability of the work resulting in further NASA funding.
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A2. Continue to require letters of support from NASA personnel in Research Initiation Grant proposals.

Tasks associated with Research Initiation Grant Objectives

Ai. Hold regularly scheduled, well-advertised annual opportunities for faculty from all institutions of 

higher education to propose for Research Initiation Grants; evaluate submitted proposals via a wellrounded review panel consisting of at least four people within three months of submission. 

Aii. Maintain active information about all currently funded Research Initiation Grants on the Montana 

NASA EPSCoR website (http://nasaepscor.montana.edu) including pictures, biographical sketches, 

stories, and project information; retain information about past Research Initiation Grants on the 

website.

RID Project Element B: Travel Grants

Travel Grant Objectives

B1. Continue to evaluate Travel Grant proposals based on the following criteria: 

1) Scientific/Engineering impact, 

2) NASA connection, and 

3) Broader impacts, such as state research infrastructure and economic development.

B2. Continue to recommend that faculty make a presentation during their visit to the NASA site.

B3. Continue to coordinate travel opportunities with MT NSF EPSCoR, MT NIH INBRE, and other state 

and federal agencies.

Tasks associated with Travel Grant Objectives

Bi. Regularly advertise the Travel Grant opportunity to all Montana higher education campuses.

Bii. Maintain updated Travel Grant opportunity information on the Montana NASA EPSCoR website 

(http://nasaepscor.montana.edu).

 
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ND - 18-EPSCoR RID-0023 

Director: Dr. James Casler

University Of North Dakota, Grand Forks

North Dakota NASA EPSCoR: Proposal to Expand Research Infrastructure and Capabilities in 

North Dakota

The overall goal of North Dakota NASA EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) 

is to increase the competitiveness of North Dakota for merit-based grants and contracts in support of 

science and technology research from federal funding agencies. This mission statement is the guiding 

principle for all ND NASA EPSCoR program activities. ND NASA EPSCoR has established the following 

goals, objectives, and priorities, to train the North Dakota workforce in STEM (science, technology, 

engineering, and mathematics) disciplines of relevance to NASA.

ND NASA EPSCoR goals include: 1) Establish long-term, self-sustaining, nationally-competitive research 

capabilities in aerospace and STEM disciplines at North Dakota colleges and universities; 2) Promote 

research in North Dakota of strategic importance to the NASA mission; 3) Promote programming that 

demonstrates a lasting and positive impact on the overall research infrastructure, STEM capabilities, 

economic development, and citizens of North Dakota.

To accomplish each of these goals, ND NASA EPSCoR has established the following methods/techniques 

(objectives). 1) Build core competitive research strength in NASA-relevant STEM fields through seed 

grants awarded to faculty at North Dakota colleges and universities; 2) Promote collaboration and 

research partnerships through travel grants awarded to North Dakota faculty, staff, and students 

participating in NASA-relevant research; 3) Support synergistic activities that provide opportunities for 

North Dakota researchers to participate in meetings, workshops, professional development, and travel 

to enhance NASA-relevant research initiatives.

ND NASA EPSCoR also focuses on three priorities: 1) diversity, 2) collaboration, and 3) student support. 

The significance of the seed grants, travel grants, and synergistic activities to NASA can be seen through 

the five Research Focus Areas (RFAs): RFA A â€“ Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, RFA B â€“ Human 

Space Exploration, RFA C â€“ Earth Science, RFA D â€“ Materials Science, and RFA E â€“ Small Satellites. 

These RFAs align with NASA strategic goals 1, 2, and 3. All project elements also align with the NASA 

Science Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) , and NASA’s 

Technology Area (TA) Roadmaps. Through this alignment, ND NASA EPSCoR aims to meet NASA’s 

research and technology development priorities.

 
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NE - 18-EPSCoR RID-0008 

Director: Dr. Scott Tarry

University Of Nebraska, Omaha

NASA Nebraska EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) Program FY 2019-2021

NASA Nebraska EPSCoR has established an outstanding record of success and has demonstrated its 

commitment to developing research capabilities that are long-term, self-sustaining, and nationally 

competitive. The proposed research infrastructure development (RID) program for FY2019 to FY2021 

will continue to support and sustain unique research activities that address the priorities of both NASA 

and Nebraska. NASA Nebraska EPSCoR’s philosophy of using strategic investments in seed projects to 

develop competitive proposals for the national NASA EPSCoR competitions has been incredibly 

successful in developing Nebraska’s aerospace infrastructure. Industry partnerships have been, and will 

continue to be, vital to the program’s success. The proposed RID program will build on these historically 

productive relationships and will actively involve industry in all facets of the program’s 

implementationâ€”from RID to technology transfer.

 
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NH - 18-EPSCoR RID-0017 

Director: Dr. Antoinette Galvin

University of New Hampshire, Durham

New Hampshire NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program 2019-2022

The strategic goal of the NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, Research 

Infrastructure Development (EPSCoR RID) project in New Hampshire is to support promising academic 

research enterprises within the State that are directed toward generating or enhancing long-term, selfsustaining, nationally-competitive capabilities in areas of strategic importance to the NASA mission and 

of mutual benefit to the research infrastructure in New Hampshire. The program elements included in 

this RID proposal provide 1) support for program management and meetings, 2) funding for research 

and technology infrastructure seed grants (including research travel grants for jurisdiction researchers 

for the purpose of establishing or enhancing partnerships), and 3) further development of a CubeSat 

Swarm mission concept called ARCS. The administration of the RID is based at the NH NASA EPSCoR 

Directorship office at the University of New Hampshire. The research leads for this proposal are from 

the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College. This proposal requests three years of funding 

for implementation of the RID objectives. The proposed cost includes a 1:1 matching funds requirement.

NASA Alignment. NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has four areas of research: Earth Science, 

Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. The Research and Technology Infrastructure Seed 

Grants (and associated travel awards) of this RID proposal will be selected to promote the infrastructure 

for future competitive (non-EPSCoR) proposals in one or more of these SMD research areas. The ARCS 

swarm mission concept element aligns with the SMD’s Heliophysics area, particularly ionospheric 

studies. NASA has also listed “autonomous swarm operationsâ€• as a technology enabler in NASA’s 

Game Changing Technology program.

DMP. This is a development effort that will not generate any data for release, so a Data Management 

Plan is not applicable.

 
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NV - 18-EPSCoR RID-0009 

Director: Dr. Lynn Fenstermaker

Nevada System of Higher Education

Nevada NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program

This proposal identifies opportunities to enhance Nevada’s research infrastructure that will result in 

sustainable research programs relevant to both NASA and the State’s interests.

The overall goals of the Nevada NASA EPSCoR program are: 

 Contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, higher 

education, and/or economic development of Nevada; 

 Improve the capabilities of Nevada faculty/researchers to gain support from sources outside the 

NASA EPSCoR program that are most relevant to NASA research and missions;

 Develop partnerships among researchers at NSHE, NASA Centers, and industry; and

 Work in coordination with the NASA Space Grant program to improve the environment for science, 

mathematics, engineering, and technology education in Nevada.

Specific objectives that have been targeted to meet Nevada NASA EPSCoR RID program goals include:

 Objective 1: Enhance research infrastructure by competitively awarding at least two significant RID 

seed grants each year. Grants will be relevant to both NASA and Nevada strategic science plans, as 

well as the NASA Center and Mission Directorate science priorities provided by the national NASA 

EPSCoR Project Manager. A requirement of the seed grant solicitation is the submission of at least 

one competitive proposal. 

 Objective 2: Promote the planning and implementation of training and proposal development 

workshops that will foster collaboration and the development of skills and knowledge to improve 

Nevada research infrastructure. Funding for at least one workshop per year is budgeted. An 

expected outcome from the workshops is the submission of a competitive research proposal.

 Objective 3: Facilitate new research collaborations among NASA Centers and NSHE faculty by 

awarding travel grants. As many travel sub-awards as possible with remaining RID funds will be 

made available each year. An expected outcome is the submission of a competitive and 

collaborative research proposal among NSHE faculty and NASA Center scientists.

The science priorities for this proposal are responsive to the NASA Center and Mission Directorate 

priorities provided by the national NASA EPSCoR Project Manager, the 2018 NASA Strategic Plan, the 

2015 NSHE Science and Technology Plan and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development plan 

entitled “2012-2014 Moving Nevada Forward: A Plan for Excellence in Economic Developmentâ€•. In 

preparation for this proposal, the NV RID TAC collaboratively developed a subset of science priorities as 

a focal point for future Nevada NASA EPSCoR endeavors based on the above documents, NSHE current 

and emerging research areas and business member perceptions of current focus areas for NASA. The 

TAC identified subset of science priorities is listed below by NSHE, State, and Business focus areas. 

NSHE Research Focal Areas that are NASA Relevant:
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Space exploration materials; Space Psychology; Materials and Advanced Manufacturing; Robotics 

(emergency services; human services, construction and mining technologies); UAS (materials, hardware, 

software, command/control and applications); Big Data; Radiation protection; Renewable Energy and 

Photovoltaics; Software engineering; Cybersecurity; Electronics; 3D Printing; CubeSat; Mars 

geochemistry; Astrobiology/Exobiology; Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences (James Webb telescope 

launching in 2020); Sample Science; Cell and Developmental Biology;Plant biology and Ecosystems; 

Microbial biofilms will shed light on how biofilms form and identify materials and ways to control biofilm 

formation. Water Resources; Hydrometeorology and Climate Modeling; Dry Land Agriculture; Earth 

Science; and Aerosols and Atmospheric pollutants and properties

State of Nevada Focal Areas for NSHE:

More STEM-Related Research and Development; UAS and Autonomous Ground Vehicles; Aerospace; 

andCrypto/Cyber Security

 
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OK - 18-EPSCoR RID-0025 

Director: Dr. Andrew Arena

Oklahoma State University

NASA Oklahoma EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development

Specific RID activities will target four objectives: 1) Initiate contacts and forge direct partnerships with 

scientists and researchers at the Mission Directorates, the Office of the Chief Technologies, and/or one 

or more of the ten NASA Centers; 2) Promote collaborative research programs with the NASA Centers, 

Mission Directorates and Industry; 3) Initiate research activities in areas of strategic importance to the 

Agency; and 4) Support undergraduate and graduate research experiences. The majority of the 

proposed funding will be used for Travel Grants and Research Initiation grants awarded to Oklahoma 

faculty researchers that align with Goals 1-3 of The 2014 NASA Strategic Plan. All of the objectives of 

this proposal also are in alignment with priorities of the Oklahoma jurisdiction, in particular the 

Aerospace Industry Engineer Workforce Bill of 2008, House Bills 680 and 681 in conjunction with Senate 

Bill 720 that ensure that research impacts the State’s economy through the technology transfer pipeline, 

opening doors to universities to license technology and faculty members to own businesses that market 

technology and invention, and the Council of Science and Technology. 

The primary activities and majority of the funding support up to six Travel Grants, which provide 

opportunities for researchers to forge a direct partnership with a NASA Center, Mission Directorate, or 

Office of Technology Development for possible collaborations. Once Travel Grant awardees have 

successfully established links, they may apply for one of three Research Initiation Grants (RIGs), to 

further develop research collaborations.
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PR - 18-EPSCoR RID-0021 

Director: Dr. Gerardo Morell

University Of Puerto Rico, San Juan

PR NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development

Established in 1994 by the Resource Center for Science and Engineering (RCSE) of the University of 

Puerto Rico (UPR) in conjunction with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the 

Puerto Rico NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (PR NASA EPSCoR) 

implements strategic tasks and projects directed at enhancing Puerto Rico’s research competitiveness 

and infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, and higher education, while building the core 

strength required to engage in technology development methods and activities for the solution of 

scientific and technical problems of importance to NASA in alignment with NASA’s Mission. 

The goal of the PR NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) program is to build in 

Puerto Rico the core strength needed to increase competitive research and technology development 

methods and activities for the solution of scientific and technical problems of importance to NASA in 

coordination and collaboration with NASA Centers and Mission Directorates and other research centers 

around the Nation that seek to advance U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests through a robust 

space exploration program. 

PR NASA EPSCoR RID supports the initiation of new research projects in collaboration with NASA Centers 

and Mission Directorates that expand Puerto Rico's capabilities in NASA mission-related sciences and 

technology-development projects. To encourage and nurture activities that advance NASA’s research 

priorities, the RID projects are competitively selected based on their connection, interaction, and 

relevance to NASA centers. The evaluation criteria include: intrinsic scientific and/or technical merit; 

alignment with NASA technology needs; relevance to, partnerships with, and interactions with the 

jurisdiction; credentials and track record of the investigators. 

The emphasis is placed on developing a core expertise capable of successfully competing for funds from 

NASA and non-NASA sources outside of the EPSCoR program. With the guidance and support of the 

Technical Advisory Committee, the RID researchers receive technical assistance to transition their 

projects progressively toward gaining support from sources outside the NASA EPSCoR program by 

aggressively pursuing additional funding opportunities offered by industry and other sources.

 
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RI - 18-EPSCoR RID-0027 

Director: Prof. Peter Schultz

Brown University

Rhode Island NASA EPSCOR Research Infrastructure and Development Grant

The proposed effort is designed to enhance NASA research infrastructure and stimulate new 

partnerships between RI institutions of higher learning and NASA’s Mission Directorates. This will be 

accomplished through: competed research seed grants (directly related to NASA’s goals and missions) 

each of the three years; workshops within the state in order to broaden participation in NASA 

opportunities; updated website presence; and participation in national NASA EPSCoR meetings. From 

such efforts, we seek to increase competitiveness in both EPSCoR Research competitions and future 

NASA grants and involvement.

 
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SC - 18-EPSCoR RID-0001 

Director: Dr. Cassandra Runyon

College of Charleston

SC NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development 2019-2021

The South Carolina Space Grant Consortium (SCSGC) requests $125,000 for its 2018 NASA EPSCoR 

Research Infrastructure Development (RID) program to further research and improve the quality of 

South Carolina’s future workforce. This RID program will provide support for research and subsequent 

proposal preparation for scientists, engineers and students working to fulfill NASA’s mission 

requirements in support of NASA’s Vision to reach for new heights and reveal the unknown. In South 

Carolina, the NASA EPSCoR program’s goal is to foster academic research that enables faculty to meet 

NASA mission objectives and to develop a self-sustaining, nationally competitive research program that 

can successfully compete for non-EPSCoR funds. A partnership between the SC NASA EPSCoR / SC Space 

Grant Consortium (SCSGC) Office and the SC EPSCoR/IDeA program helps SC researchers to establish 

contacts with and access resources from NASA. The SC NASA EPSCoR opportunity provides seed grant 

support for competitively selected projects of benefit to both NASA and the South Carolina jurisdiction. 

Each proposals receives a high quality external peer review as a part of the competitive process. Those 

proposals selected for funding include strong research components, and successfully demonstrate: 1) 

strong NASA ties; 2) the significance of their research to SC’s vision for competitiveness in science, 

technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); and 3) make evident their potential for growth and 

sustainability.

 
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SD - 18-EPSCoR RID-0003 

Director: Dr. Edward Duke

South Dakota School Of Mines & Technology

South Dakota NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program

The goal of the South Dakota Research Infrastructure Development (RID) program is to promote 

competitive research and technology development in the state with an emphasis on areas of strategic 

importance to NASA. Attaining that goal requires close coordination among the state’s research 

institutions, government, industry, NASA Headquarters, and NASA research and development centers. In 

recent years NASA EPSCoR activities in South Dakota have become increasingly integrated with efforts of 

other EPSCoR and EPSCoR-like programs resulting in better overall alignment with the broader mission 

of nurturing and diversifying the nation’s scientific and engineering research enterprise.

The implementation strategy to achieve the four major objectives of the NASA EPSCoR Program focuses 

on the major STEM Ph.D.-granting institutions in the state, but also seeks to develop collaborations 

between those institutions and additional institutions of higher education in the state, including tribal 

universities. Because RID resources are limited, the allocation of these investments in the state is guided 

by the following criteria: (1) alignment with NASA R&D priorities, (2) development of NASA research 

contacts, (3) support for state R&D priorities, (4) formation of multi-institution collaborations, (5) 

meaningful involvement of Minority-Serving Institutions in research, and (6) potential for economic 

development and industry partnerships.

SD NASA EPSCoR offers travel grants and seed grants (Research Initiation Grants) to promote 

development of new contacts and cooperative research ties with NASA Centers and/or Mission 

Directorates. Because South Dakota has limited university-based and industry-based aerospace R&D, a 

major focus of SD NASA EPSCoR is redirection of non-aerospace research assets to efforts that address 

research and technology development needs of NASA. In the solicitations for Research Initiation Grants 

and NASA EPSCoR major research grants, explicit emphasis is given to development of new or continuing 

partnerships among colleges and universities in the jurisdiction that will enhance the jurisdiction’s 

abilities to respond to the research and technology development needs of NASA.

This NASA EPSCoR RID program proposal outlines South Dakota’s plan to continue to support 

improvement of the research environment in South Dakota and to further promote technology 

developments that align with NASA’s strategic goals. SD NASA EPSCoR is well positioned to identify and 

cultivate new research collaborations within the state and with NASA that will increase the state’s 

capacity in STEM research and education and effectively address the critical research and development 

and economic development priorities of the state and NASA.
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VI - 18-EPSCoR RID-0028 

Director: Dr. David Morris

University of The Virgin Islands

NASA EPSCoR in the Virgin Islands

The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) has entered a new era in its partnership with NASA to promote 

STEM research, education, and outreach in the territory. Over the past 6 years, the University of the 

Virgin Islands (UVI) has led a focused effort to leverage existing facilities and faculty expertise to raise 

the level of awareness of, participation in, and support for NASA-related science activities in the USVI. 

Seven years ago, UVI had $0 in NASA federal awards, only 1 full-time physics faculty, and no scientists in 

the territory were submitting competitive proposals to NASA's Cooperative Agreement Notices (CAN). 

Over the past 7 years, UVI has raised its level of CAN responses to 5 per year (academic 2017-18), its 

level of NASA-sponsored research and education support to more than $1,000,000 per year (academic 

2017-18), and now employs 7 full-time physics faculty and researchers. 

This dramatic growth in NASA-related research activities at UVI was initiated through a 2013 NASAEPSCoR Research Award that supported revitalization of research instrumentation at UVI's Etelman 

Observatory, provided student funding for authentic research experiences at the Observatory and at our 

NASA partner, Goddard Space Flight Center, and provided funding to hire the first-ever full-time 

astrophysics resident observer-researcher at UVI (stationed at Etelman Observatory). The success of this 

project coincided with an unprecedented growth in interest and enrollment in physics and astronomy 

courses at UVI from 2009-2014(see Figure 1, below) as well as a dramatic increase in scientific 

production in physics and astronomy.

This dramatic increase in physics and astronomy activity at UVI led to our successful submission of a 

NASA-MIRO proposal, in 2015, to support the first-ever 4-year degree in physics at UVI, designed to 

capitalize on the success of our ongoing NASA EPSCoR-funded project and to better meet the increased 

demand for physics offerings at UVI. Through the new UVI physics program, UVI has hired 3 new fulltime physics faculty who now support this increasing demand for physics and astronomy offerings at UVI 

with research projects and additional courses in physics and astronomy. We have also dramatically 

increased the number of students doing research at UVI and with our research partners.

This unprecedented growth in faculty and student research activity in the USVI together with rapidly 

growing ranks of faculty and researchers with NASA-related research interests and highly-trained 

students in physics and astronomy, has provided an unparalleled opportunity to embed NASA research 

activities as a cornerstone of the STEM educational experience in the USVI. Through NASA-EPSCoR RID 

funding in 2016-2018 we have: 

*Established the first-ever NASA-seed-grant program at UVI

*Funded several UVI students to do research at UVI both through direct funding and through seed 

grants

*Supported travel for several UVI students to national meetings

*Supported 2 USVI high school students to do research at UVI during the summer.
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*Supported the hiring of a dedicated NASA grants administrator at UVI to assist in all grant-related 

activities and reporting in the USVI

 
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VT - 18-EPSCoR RID-0012 

Director: Prof. Darren Hitt

University Of Vermont, Burlington

VT NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) - Phase VI

This document details the proposed activities, along with corresponding priorities, targets, and metrics, 

for the Phase VI installment of the NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) project for 

Vermont. The Vermont NASA EPSCoR Program operates at the intersection of both NASA priorities and 

the State’s vision for technology and economic development. According, all activities are part of a 

coordinated strategy to develop research infrastructure in areas of importance to NASA’s mission while 

creating ties between Vermont’s academic researchers, its technology-based companies, and NASA 

centers. 

A multi-faceted approach will be taken to foster NASA-relevant research among faculty, graduate 

students, and the industrial sector while also strengthening collaborative ties with NASA personnel. The 

main project elements proposed for Vermont's Research Infrastructure Development Project include: 

Faculty Research Pilot Grants for initiating new projects; Faculty Research Small-Scale Grants for more 

mature projects; and NASA Center Travel Grants for exploring new, or strengthening existing, research 

collaborations. In addition, the Industrial Partners Initiative (IPI), based on an SBIR Phase â€ ̃0’ concept, 

will foster links between Vermont’s knowledge/technology-based private sector companies, academia, 

and NASA.

Finally, significant efforts will be made in all activities to encourage the participation of 

underrepresented minorities and female students. While the non-diverse population of the State of 

Vermont will continue to pose challenges in this regard, we are confident that we will meet or exceed 

our target metrics.

 
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WV - 18-EPSCoR RID-0002 

Director: Dr. Majid Jaridi

West Virginia University

Research Infrastructure Development (RID) in West Virginia: A Proposal to NASA Established 

Program to Stimulate Competitive Research

The NASA West Virginia Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) requests 

$375,000 for the fiscal years 2019-2022 for implementation of the WV Research Infrastructure 

Development (WV RID) Project. NASA EPSCoR is an integral part of the mosaic of research infrastructure 

building programs conducted by the WV EPSCoR Committee as an umbrella organization for all EPSCoR 

programs in the state. The WV State Science and Research Council is the body that oversees all of the 

state EPSCoR programs and other science initiatives of the state.

NASA WV EPSCoR programs are designed in conjunction with the menu of programs offered by the West 

Virginia Space Grant Consortium. However, in order to preserve the independence and separation of 

Space Grant and EPSCoR programs, we have avoided any duplication of the offerings of Space Grant in 

this three-year proposal. Our mosaic of programs covers all aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering, 

and Mathematics (STEM) education pipeline and research in West Virginia. Our partners in academia, 

high tech industry, and government are hard at work to ensure that we have a highly cost-efficient and 

seamless transition between our programs and those of our partners. In summary, we have included 

new offerings to foster and enhance connections and collaborations between our faculty and NASA 

Centers and Mission Directorate, as well as help our relatively new faculty to conduct research of 

interest to NASA and train graduate students in STEM disciplines.

 
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WY - 18-EPSCoR RID-0013 

Director: Dr. Shawna McBride

University Of Wyoming

Wyoming NASA EPSCoR RID Proposal: FY 2019 - 2021

Wyoming remains the state with the smallest population (~500,000) and its economy is largely driven by 

extractive industries, agriculture, and tourism. The University of Wyoming (UW) is the only Ph.D. 

granting research institution in the state and therefore scientific activities that address key areas of state 

concern are concentrated at UW. In recent UW Academic Plans, areas for development in critical areas 

of science and technology have been identified, one being materials science research. Additionally, 

there is a continued focus on materials science and engineering research through the UW Tier-1 

Engineering and Science Initiatives. Both of which are involved in developing and identifying highpriority areas for research and economic focus for WY and the University. The WY Governor’s UW TopTier Science Programs & Facilities Task Force also identified material science as an area for future 

development, so there is considerable interest in this area within our jurisdiction. 

With support from previous WY NASA EPSCoR RID awards, the Materials Science and Engineering 

program (MSE) at UW has become a recognized and cohesive research group on campus. The MSE 

program brings together students and faculty with research interests and expertise in materials science 

and engineering from physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, environmental 

engineering, geology, and mechanical engineering. Materials science is a multidisciplinary field involving 

collaborations across many academic programs and the MSE program provides a rich, collaborative 

research environment for researchers to interact. Current strengths at UW include new materials 

synthesis, including 2D materials and composite materials, advanced laser materials processing and 

analytics, as well as computational methods for materials design, which fall into four areas of emphasis: 

catalytic materials, biomaterials, nanomaterials, and optoelectronic materials. Core MSE members also 

collaborate with established centers of excellence on campus, including the School of Energy Resources, 

which is engaged in a new Carbon Engineering Initiative and has a well-developed Center for 

Photoconversion and Catalysis. MSE faculty also participate in the newly formed Artificial Intelligence 

Materials Development Center at UW. In addition, MSE members are supported by NIH INBRE 

programs, which sponsors biomaterials-related research projects. The development of the MSE 

program has allowed for greater networking, collaboration, equipment sharing, and student 

opportunities in the area of materials science at UW. 

While the MSE program has become a recognized program on campus, there is still a considerable need 

for growth to establish the MSE program as a core center of expertise and excellence on campus. The 

goal of this RID project, therefore, is to further develop NASA-related materials science research at the 

University of Wyoming and to continue to expand the MSE program. The long-term vision and 

implementation strategy for the MSE program is to develop a Center for Materials Science and 

Engineering at UW aligned with NASA research objectives and that actively engages with NASA Centers 

conducting materials science research. This long-term vision will be achieved in multiple steps, which 

include: 1) establishing a multidisciplinary PhD program in Materials Science and Engineering, 2) 

participating in national NASA EPSCoR meetings to develop NASA contacts, 3) supporting faculty, 

especially early career faculty, in successfully obtaining extramural funding for materials science 
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research ($2-3M federal grants), 4) building grant funding, research, and collaborative successes to 

allow for the application of larger center-related grant proposals ($10-20M grants), and 5) integrating 

NASA Technology Readiness Level (TRL) training into courses and in developing collaborative research 

projects aimed at not only basic research, but also producing products.

 
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