Conference: expanding cise research capacity across epscor jurisdictions

The National Science Foundation Division of Information and Intelligent Systems awarded Northern Kentucky University $190,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering program (CFDA 47.070) to support a workshop expanding computing research capacity across EPSCOR jurisdictions.

The award funds a workshop co-located with the 2026 CRA Summit that convenes computing research leaders from EPSCOR jurisdictions with NSF CISE leadership. The workshop focuses on strengthening institutional research and long-term collaboration, with presentations from NSF CISE leadership on EPSCOR-related initiatives and research capacity building. The project provides in-person networking opportunities with NSF representatives and travel support for eligible participants. The Computing Research Association (CRA) collaborates on workshop design and logistics; its Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP) will assess workshop effectiveness and contribute to a final report documenting workshop outcomes, institutional challenges, and recommendations for increasing NSF CISE proposal submissions and strengthening computing research communities across EPSCOR jurisdictions.

Performance occurs in Highland Heights, Kentucky, with a period of performance from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Sub-awards are planned under this award. The award is classified as a Project Grant.

Abstract

The goal of the epscor program is to enhance the research competitiveness in targeted states. The northern kentucky university and the computing research association (CRA) seek to increase research capacity in computing for epscor jurisdictions. This project supports a workshop that brings together computing research leaders from epscor jurisdictions and NSF cise leadership. IT focuses on strengthening institutional research and long-term collaboration. The project aims to document actionable strategies to increase NSF cise proposal submissions and strengthen computing research communities across epscor jurisdictions. The workshop includes presentations from NSF cise leadership. Topics include epscor-related initiatives and epscor research capacity building. The workshop provides in-person networking opportunities with NSF representatives. IT provides travel support for eligible participants. The CRA?s center for evaluating the research pipeline (cerp) provides assessment of the workshop effectiveness. A workshop report will be issued that summarizes the workshop outcomes, institutional challenges, and recommendations for strengthening participation in NSF cise research programs. The workshop is CO-located with the 2026 CRA summit. IT provides an opportunity for leadership in institutions in epscor jurisdictions and senior leaders from across academia, industry, and government to engage in discussions on the future of computing research and education. 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.