The document summarizes the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program. EPSCoR is a federal program that builds research capacity in smaller states to spur competitiveness and economic development. It aims to assist the National Science Foundation in strengthening research and avoid undue concentration. The document also provides background on West Virginia's participation in EPSCoR, including key research areas and institutions. It concludes with recommendations from an EPSCoR 2030 workshop, including continuing and expanding EPSCoR funding, using EPSCoR states as test beds, and developing cyberinfrastructure.

2. What is EPSCoR?
The National Science Foundation’s
Experimental Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is a
federal program that builds research
capacity in smaller states to spur
competitiveness, scientific discovery
and economic development.
West Virginia is one of 31 eligible
states and territories.

3. The mission of EPSCoR is to assist the National
Science Foundation in its statutory function
"to strengthen research and education in
science and engineering throughout the
United States and to avoid undue
concentration of such research and
education." EPSCoR goals are:
a) to provide strategic programs and opportunities for
EPSCoR participants that stimulate sustainable
improvements in their R&D capacity and
competitiveness;
b) to advance science and engineering capabilities in
EPSCoR jurisdictions for discovery, innovation and
overall knowledge-based prosperity.
“A flexible driver for unique state resources”

4. West Virginia at a glance
Population, 2011 estimate 1,855,364
White 94.1%
White, Non-Hispanic 93.0%
Black 3.5%
Am. Indian/Alaskan Native 0.2%
Asian 0.7%
Native HI and Pac. Islanders > 0.1%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
Bachelor’s degree, age 25+ 17.3%
HS graduation rate in 2011 77.3%
Median household income $38,380
Persons below poverty level 17.4%
Land Area in sq. miles 24,038
Persons per sq. mile 77.1
West Virginia GDP 66.8 billion
State Budget for FY 2013 $11.6 billion
Major Industries
Chemicals, biotechnology, tourism, energy production,
timber
178 West Virginia Regional Innovation Participants
General Tech, Biometrics, Biotech, Materials & Chemicals
and Energy

5. Administration
Governor
Higher Education Policy Commission
Chancellor
Science and Research Advisory Council Vice Chancellor for Science and Research
WVEPSCoR State Director
External Technical
Advisory Board
NSF
NASA DOE DOD NIH
USDA EPA
EPSCoR
Research EPSCoR EPSCoR IDeA
Infrastructure
Improvement
Education,
Interdisciplinary Research
Diversity Evaluation Human Resource Workforce Administration
Teams
Development
and Outreach
Universities, PUI’s, CTS’s

6. VISION2015
VISION 2015 is the
strategic framework of
actions and initiatives
that position West
Virginia to achieve
measurable growth
in research and
technology-based
economic
development.
Fourteen goals in five categories
will be coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the
Science and Research Council and the West Virginia Development Office, in
conjunction with the business community and higher education institutions.

7. West Virginia’s Blueprint for Technology-
Based Economic Development –
recommends West Virginia’s focus
on four technology platforms
Energy and Energy-Related Technology;
Materials Science and Chemicals;
Identification, Security and Sensing Technology
(Biometrics);
Molecular Diagnostics, Therapeutics and
Targeted Delivery Systems.(Biotechnology)

8. Federal and State Research Investments in
West Virginia Higher Education

10. FBI Fingerprint Center
Clarksburg, WV
3,000 employees

11. Biometrics Fusion Center
Bridgeport, WV
DoD

12. Cyberinfrastructure

13. Dr. Feruz Ganikhanov
Dr. Michael Xiaodong Shi
Dr. Cerasela Zoica Dinu

14. West Virginia Regional
Technology Park

15. Executive Summary
Consensus opinions from the EPSCoR 2030 Workshop
The report summarizes background, issues, consensus
opinions and a series of five major recommendations that
grew out of the workshop. Consensus opinions include:
Consensus EPSCoR research universities are a vital resource
that can and must be employed as the States tackles S&T
issues impacting the ability of the country to compete in high-
tech global markets. Any national research agenda that ignores
or diminishes the role of half the states is an agenda that makes
a serious omission by excluding highly productive and important
components of the nation’s R&D capability.
Consensus There are challenges where EPSCoR institutions
have the experience that can help NSF and nation including
energy, climate variation, health, defense and homeland security
and cyberinfrastructure.

16. Consensus opinions Continued
Consensus While the NSF EPSCoR investment has fueled
incredible advancements in building research infrastructure, both
NSF and the EPSCoR states need to better articulate the need
for and achievements of the NSF (and federal-wide) EPSCoR
and IDeA efforts.
Consensus One of EPSCoR’s strengths is that state
committees, universities and faculty are committed to scientific
and engineering excellence.
Consensus EPSCoR’s current award mechanisms could be
modified to better reflect new NSF priorities, reduce the
emphasis on funding multiple activities with a single award,
focus funding on achieving critical needs in science and
infrastructure and allow groups of EPSCoR researchers to better
pool the expertise which EPSCoR already has developed in
areas like water, energy, and cyberinfrastructure.

17. Executive Summary
Recommendations from the EPSCoR 2030 Workshop
Since NSF EPSCoR research is critical to the nation’s
science and technology policy, NSF must continue to
expand its EPSCoR funding and overall support in order to
guarantee this program’s relevance.
NSF EPSCoR should return to its original focus of
increasing research capacity.
NSF should use EPSCoR states and their research
institutions as a test bed for new agency initiatives taking
advantage of their size, diversity and nimble structures.
NSF and EPSCoR institutions must act now to develop a
robust cyberinfrastructure to ensure that faculties are, and
remain, competitive.
The “EPSCoR success story” must be better told in the
national interest.