Montana NSF EPSCoR is a Montana University System (MUS) program focused on stimulating sustainable improvements in Montana's R&D capacity and competitiveness in science and engineering research. We partner with the National Science Foundation EPSCoR (Established* Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) program to develop and manage strategic projects funded by competitive NSF EPSCoR awards to the state. We work collaboratively across the state's higher education institutions, including 7 tribal colleges, and with partners from business, government, and non-profit organizations. With offices at the University of Montana and Montana State University, MT EPSCoR is a program designed to develop, manage, and sustain projects over time.
NSF EPSCoR was established in 1978, and in 1980 Montana was one of five initial states to participate. Over the years Montana NSF EPSCoR has played an important role in enhancing research capacity and competitiveness for Montana, supporting innovative education for development of Montana's STEM workforce, and linking science outcomes to business opportunities and solutions for pressing issues.
Current NFS ESPCoR RII Track-1 Project
RII Track-1 projects are the core of our work focus. SMART FIRES (Sensors, Machine Learning, and Artifical Intelligence in Real Time Fire Science) is a five-year, $20M NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 partnership between Montana State University, University of Montana, Montana Technological University, Salish Kootenai College, Little Bighorn College, Flathead Valley Community College, and business and government partners to address knowledge gaps associated with prescribed fire usage and to understand prescribed fire’s impact on individuals and communities. The PI is Dr. Robert Walker (MSU), and the co-PIs are Dr. Libby Metcalf (UM), Dr. Joseph Shaw (MSU), and Dr. Lu Hu (UM).
Montana State Science and Technology Plan
Montana NSF EPSCoR is governed by the Montana Science and Technology Committee (MSTC) which is led by Joe Thiel the MUS Interim Deputy Commissioner, Academic, Research and Student Affairs. The EPSCoR program is guided by the state Science and Technology plan (2022). Research areas for project proposals are selected on a competitive basis by the MSTC as (1) being one of the most compelling long-term issues for Montana; and (2) having the best potential to improve the future research and development (R&D) competitiveness of the State.
About the NSF EPSCoR program
The mission of NSF EPSCoR is to enhance the research competitiveness of targeted jurisdictions (state, territory or commonwealth) by strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) capacity and capability through a diverse portfolio of investments from talent development to local infrastructure.
__________
*The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (AICA) (S. 3084) signed Jan 7, 2017 changed the "E" in EPSCoR from Experimental to Established.
