Nevada Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) was motivated by Congressional interest in the geographic distribution of Federal research funds. Nevada EPSCoR competed successfully in 1986 (the second round of competition) when 8 out of 12 eligible states won awards. Nevada received the maximum allowed award of $3 million of NSF funds over 5 years on a matching grant formula. Built on existing strengths, the Nevada EPSCoR plan was designed to reduce the barriers to research that had kept "very good" scientists, who currently had stood just below the threshold for Federal research funding, from developing into "excellent" scientists of nationally competitive status. The Nevada proposals were submitted through the University of Nevada System and administered by the Nevada EPSCoR committee and project director.