WKU News

Kentucky EPSCoR (the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) announced today (June 1) that the National Science Foundation Grants Conference it is hosting has quickly reached capacity. The Conference will take place June 5-6 at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville.

Three hundred and twenty-five conference registrants, including 86 from Kentucky, will spend two days attending presentations and interacting with NSF staff to better understand NSF-funded research opportunities and obligations. Attendees hope to increase their likelihood of winning research funding, complying with grant requirements and producing impactful research results.

“KY EPSCoR is pleased to be able to host the National Science Foundation in our state,” said Dr. F. Richard Kurzynske, Director of Kentucky’s Statewide EPSCoR Program. “The KY EPSCoR Program has been the channel for over $550 million in competitively won research funding which is expanding the Commonwealth’s research infrastructure, promoting STEM-H education, and nurturing a culture of innovation. Federal research funding fosters knowledge-based prosperity by expanding the science and engineering capabilities of Kentucky’s workforce.” 

Agenda items address types of NSF opportunities, proposal preparation, the award management process, financial reporting processes and related topics.

Representatives from 38 states and 144 research institutions, including WKU, the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky as well as many of the Commonwealth’s public comprehensive universities and technical colleges, will be in attendance. For information, visit www.nsfgrantsconferences.com.

About KY EPSCoR: Kentucky’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (KY EPSCoR) exists to stimulate sustainable improvements in the Commonwealth’s R&D capacity and to advance science and engineering capabilities for discovery, innovation and knowledge-based prosperity.

About NSF: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. NSF’s budget was $7.5 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2016. NSF funds research in all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 48,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards about $600 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

Contact: Alethea Bernard, abernard@kyepscor.org