History

Montana holds a distinctive place in the history of the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). When NSF launched the pioneering program in 1979 to address dramatic disparities in federal research funding among states, Montana was one of the original five EPSCoR states selected to participate. The intention was simple yet transformative: to broaden the geographic distribution of federal research investment and build scientific capacity in states that historically received the least research and development support. This experiment worked—and Montana has received continuous EPSCoR support ever since.

Origins of the EPSCoR Program

In 1978, Congress authorized the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, responding to concerns about an “undue concentration” of federal research and development funds in a small number of states. The National Science Foundation implemented the program in 1979. NSF identified the “least competitive” states using a composite formula based on per-capita and per-scientist federal R&D expenditures—criteria under which Montana qualified for participation.

Montana received an initial planning grant, followed by one of the first $3 million EPSCoR Implementation Grants. At that time, while strong faculty existed across the Montana University System, major institutional changes were needed for Montana to meet NSF requirements. Investments were required in laboratory space, equipment, research infrastructure, and graduate student support. Notably, Montana State University’s Research Park was established during this period as part of these improvements.

MONTS: The Early Montana EPSCoR Model

Montana’s first EPSCoR initiative was Montanans on a New Track for Science (MONTS), led by MSU plant pathologist Gary Strobel. Structured as a “mini NSF,” MONTS created a statewide competitive proposal process in which faculty submitted research proposals that underwent peer review by a Montana-based committee. Mentorship, peer review, visiting speakers, and cross-campus scientific collaboration defined this formative period.

Every federal EPSCoR dollar required a state match, which catalyzed significant coordination among university leadership, the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, and private-sector partners. MSU President Bill Tietz and Vice President John Jutila were instrumental in securing matching funds used to hire new faculty and purchase major instrumentation. A state science committee was also formed, charged with identifying and supporting high-priority research areas for Montana’s long-term economic and scientific growth.

Transition to MONTS II and State Investment in Research Infrastructure

After roughly a decade of MONTS activity, NSF advanced new expectations for EPSCoR states. Montana responded by developing the MONTS II program and, critically, by pursuing legislative action.

In 1989, the Montana Legislature passed two landmark bills:

  • HB 683, which established a five-year, $7.5 million statewide research “Seed Capital” fund, administered by the Montana Science and Technology Alliance (MSTA).
  • HB 233, which returned 100% of indirect cost (IDC) recovery to campuses, enabling reinvestment into research capacity.

These actions signaled Montana’s growing commitment to strengthening its research enterprise.

The Swenson Era and Rapid Growth in the 1990s

Dr. Bob Swenson

When Dr. Bob Swenson became MSU’s Vice President for Research in 1990, he described the faculty as enthusiastic and energized by the emerging opportunities. He noted a campus-wide “can‑do” spirit as research programs scaled upward. Montana expanded capacity to hire new faculty, acquire equipment, and increase external grant competitiveness.

During the 1990s, NSF EPSCoR broadened its focus to include STEM education, technology transfer, and economic development, all priorities that aligned well with Montana’s needs. State match funding continued to support these expansions.

Meanwhile, EPSCoR-like programs were adopted by additional federal agencies—NASA, NIH (through IDeA), DoD, DOE, and EPA. Montana leveraged its successful MONTS framework to organize effective statewide programs for each new agency, contributing substantially to the state’s research competitiveness. By the end of the decade, Montana ranked second in the nation (after Louisiana) in winning EPSCoR awards.

Enduring Impact

EPSCoR has now shaped Montana’s research landscape for more than four decades. Across its history, the program has:

  • Strengthened research infrastructure at MSU and the University of Montana, as well as other four‑year campuses and tribal colleges.
  • Expanded Montana’s scientific workforce and graduate training capacity.
  • Supported interdisciplinary research in emerging fields—more recently including climate science, ecosystem processes, and cyberinfrastructure.
  • Positioned Montana as a national leader among EPSCoR jurisdictions.

Montana’s long-running success underscores the original vision of EPSCoR: empowering states to build sustainable, competitive research environments that contribute to national scientific and economic advancement.