EPSCOR/IDEA Coalition: Advancing Research Funding and Advocacy

EPSCOR/IDEA FOUNDATION AND COALITION 6.53 Mission and Goals Mission and Goals February 3, 2025 Annual Meeting February 3, 2025 Annual Meeting

WHY EPSCOR/IDEA? 1950: In legislation creating the National Science Foundation (NSF), Congress called on NSF to pursue strategies and tactics to strengthen research and education in science and engineering throughout the United States and to avoid undue concentration of such research and education. 1977-1978: Congressman Ray Thornton (D-AR) Chairs the House Subcommittee on Science, Research and Technology 1978: National Science Board approved the creation of the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to further this mandate and to increase support for states that receive relatively small proportions of NSF funds. 1988: The EPSCoR Coalition is created (name is later changed to the EPSCoR/IDeA Coalition) 1993: Congress authorizes the IDeA program for the purpose of broadening the geographic distribution of NIH funding for biomedical and behavioral research by enhancing the competitiveness for research funding of institutions located in states in which the aggregate success rate for grant applications to the NIH has historically been low. 1995: The EPSCoR Foundation is created (name is later changed to the EPSCoR/IDeA Foundation) Sources: NAS Evaluation of EPSCoR, 1993 Public Health Service Act

WHAT DOES THE EPSCOR/IDEA COALITION DO? Mission Mission: Est. in 1988, the Coalition advocates for increased funding each year by working with the Committees of jurisdiction and the Members/staff of those committees Activities Activities 1) February/March Annual Conference 2) Generate talking points, draft report language, letters to House/ Senate appropriations Chairs and Ranking Members, complete required appropriations forms 3) Submit IDeA questions/testimony for budget hearings 4) Ongoing education of Members/staff 5) Coordinate with NAIPI to develop and support these initiatives

CONGRESSIONAL AND AGENCY ADVOCACY Work with Hill staff and Members of Congress to educate Work with Hill staff and Members of Congress to educate them about the importance and benefits of the EPSCoR and them about the importance and benefits of the EPSCoR and IDeA programs IDeA programs Work through the legislative process to support funding and Work through the legislative process to support funding and legislative language in support of the programs. legislative language in support of the programs. Work with our membership on advocating for our programs Work with our membership on advocating for our programs Engage with agency staff to ensure that the EPSCoR and Engage with agency staff to ensure that the EPSCoR and IDeA programs are aligned with the needs and interests of IDeA programs are aligned with the needs and interests of the EPSCoR/IDeA Community the EPSCoR/IDeA Community Be flexible and adaptable as opportunities and problems Be flexible and adaptable as opportunities and problems arise arise to promote the best interests of our community to promote the best interests of our community 5

WHAT DOES THE EPSCOR/IDEA FOUNDATION (EIF) DO? Mission Mission: : Est. in 1995, and created to support the Coalition, the EIF is a non- lobbying 501 (c) (3) organization that interfaces with federal agencies, the community through PD/PI groups such as NAIPI, the NASA EPSCoR Caucus and the NSF EPSCoR PDs to identify program priorities, gather data, and communicate the impact of the IDeA program Activities Activities 1) State and federal agency outreach to achieve mutually beneficial programming 2) EIF newsletter 3) Data Collection/State One-Pagers 4) Respond to requests for information 5) Partnerships with PI/PD groups and other agencies 6