Research infrastructure: e-core: research infrastructure for AI-based sustainable stem technologies in puerto rico

The National Science Foundation Office of Integrative Activities awarded the University of Puerto Rico Research and Development Center Division a cooperative agreement worth $9 million on July 15, 2026, to develop networked research infrastructure across Puerto Rico supporting artificial intelligence-based sustainable STEM technologies and workforce development. The award, under the Integrative Activities program (CFDA 47.083), funds construction of a collaborative research ecosystem spanning the University of Puerto Rico campuses at Mayaguez, Rio Piedras, Aguadilla, Arecibo, Bayamón, Carolina, Cayey, Humacao, Ponce, and Utuado, as well as the Ana G. Méndez University System campuses.

The project advances research capacity in AI-driven energy-resilient systems and quantum sensing and secure communications while increasing resources for emerging research institutions, building a skilled STEM workforce, and pursuing opportunities to leverage NSF-funded projects and partnerships with the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust and the Science and Technology Steering Committee. The initiative emphasizes scalable, energy-resilient research infrastructure designed to serve as a cornerstone for economic development across Puerto Rico through entrepreneurship, seed funding, and integration of hardware and software technologies addressing local energy infrastructure challenges.

Place of performance is Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, with a period of performance extending through June 30, 2030. The award obligates $9 million.

Abstract

This epscor collaborations for optimizing research ecosystems (e-core) proposal is for a collaborative project among university of puerto rico mayaguez (UPR-m), university of puerto rico RIO piedras (UPR-RP) and emerging research institutions (eris) participating in the research infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI)-based sustainable stem technologies in puerto rico. They include the university of puerto rico campuses (UPR): UPR aguadilla, UPR arecibo, UPR bayam?n, UPR carolina, UPR cayey, UPR humacao, UPR ponce, UPR utuado, and the ANA g. M?ndez (AGM) university system campuses. The project will advance puerto rico's research ecosystem through the development of a networked research infrastructure across the jurisdiction to support AI-driven sustainable stem technologies, increased resources for eris, and workforce development to boost student enrollment and stem participation. The project will pursue opportunities to leverage NSF-funded projects, partnerships with the puerto rico science, technology, and research trust (prstrt) and the science and technology steering committee (stsc), expanding innovation in energy-resilient AI-based technologies through entrepreneurship, seed funding, and building upon the skilled stem workforce addressing local energy infrastructural challenges. The research activities in AI-based energy resilient systems and quantum sensing/secure communication are well aligned with national priorities. This project aims to enhance puerto rico?s research ecosystem by building research capacity for AI-based stem technologies. IT integrates advanced technologies to develop a scalable, energy-resilient research infrastructure for a collaborative, interinstitutional science and technology research ecosystem that serves as a cornerstone for economic development across PR. A key strength is the combined focus on hardware and software development to improve computing performance and power efficiency, which would dramatically strengthen research capacity. The project also demonstrates strong alignment with NSF?s priorities in artificial intelligence and quantum information science, particularly in areas related to quantum sensing and secure communication. The project fosters sustainable interconnections among academia, government, and industry to address interconnected challenges in energy resilience, research infrastructure, and economic development. IT also creates entrepreneurial opportunities and cultivates a skilled workforce equipped with knowledge in AI-based integrative systems for renewable energy, remote sensing, and quantum/secure communications. The project aligns with puerto rico?s jurisdictional needs and research capacity and includes a clearly defined structure for communication and interaction with the jurisdiction steering committee to ensure effective collaboration. The project will integrate faculty and students from eris into the broader research ecosystem through 23 seed awards, along with additional funds to provide access to advanced computing facilities. This project is supported by the epscor research infrastructure improvement program: epscor collaborations for optimizing research ecosystems (e-core). E-core supports jurisdictions in strengthening their jurisdiction-wide research ecosystems through fostering interconnected networks, building research infrastructure, and growing research capacity and competitiveness aligned with jurisdictional priorities. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.