Montana EPSCoR’s Infrastructure: Cross-sectional Partnership Building for the Future

The Montana EPSCoR Infrastructure project is a strategic initiative designed to elevate the state’s research profile by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across three key pillars. First, the Integrative Analysis of Complex Biological Systems bridges environmental sciences with the physical and social sciences at both the University of Montana and Montana State University to tackle multifaceted ecological challenges. Second, the Nanotechnology pillar leverages Montana State University’s diverse expertise in optical technology, electrical engineering, physics, and chemistry to drive innovation at the molecular scale. Finally, the Biological Structure and Function focus area unites researchers from various University of Montana departments and institutes to create a centralized, collaborative forum for biological discovery.

The primary objective of this project is to transform these institutions into powerhouse competitors for major multi-investigator research awards. By building on existing institutional strengths, the project will not only modernize physical infrastructure but also cultivate the next generation of scientists. This includes expanding the quality and number of graduate students, increasing hands-on research opportunities for undergraduates, and launching educational outreach programs intended to have a significant regional and national impact.