EPSCoR Midwest Summit 2026 Event Materials
The EPSCoR Midwest Summit: Increasing Research Engagement with NSF Engineering was held June 8–9, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. Hosted by the NSF Engineering Directorate, the invitation-only workshop brought together engineering researchers from EPSCoR jurisdictions to strengthen engagement with NSF funding opportunities, connect directly with program officers, and explore strategies for increasing research competitiveness. Through interactive discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, participants examined funding barriers, identified emerging opportunities, and explored ways to advance research capacity, STEM workforce development, and regional innovation.
Need a recap? Access available presentations from the EPSCoR Midwest Summit below, and bookmark this page to find new resources as they are added. Presentations were provided by speakers; content does not necessarily reflect UIDP policies or positions.
June 8, 2026
Introduction to NSF and Submitting ENG Proposals
Don Millard, NSF; William Olbricht, NSF; Alexis Lewis, NSF; Anthony Maciejewski, NSF; Eric Miller, NSF; Sohi Rastegar, NSF
Leadership from NSF ENG provided foundational guidance for prospective PIs, highlighting key considerations and essential elements for preparing and submitting an NSF proposal, as well as practical strategies for developing a competitive proposal to the NSF Engineering Directorate, with a focus on priorities, the program landscape, and proposal evaluation criteria. Representatives from each ENG section and office (CBET, CMMI, ECCS, EEC, and EFMA) also provided brief overviews of their areas, followed by opportunities for questions and discussion.
Strategies for Effective Collaborative Research Proposals
Eric Miller, NSF; Sohi Rastegar, NSF
This session explored approaches to developing collaborative research proposals, focusing on building strong teams, aligning contributions, and effectively framing collaborative efforts within a proposal.
Building Foundations for Leadership through NSF Early Career Programs
Carole Read, NSF
This session provided an overview of NSF early career funding opportunities, including CAREER and Engineering Research Initiation (ERI), and how they support the development of emerging research leaders.
Unlocking Opportunities with NSF Supplemental Funding
Alexis Lewis, NF; Kemi Ladeji-Osias, NSF
This session provided an overview of NSF supplemental funding opportunities and how they can be used to enhance existing awards and expand the scope and impact of ongoing research.
June 9, 2026
Introduction to the NSF EPSCoR Program
Hongmei Luo, NSF
Participants gained insight into the EPSCoR program, with particular attention to current opportunities and available funding mechanisms.
Additional NSF Resources
Connect with the NSF Engineering Directorate and learn how to:
- Subscribe to email updates from ENG
- Talk to an ENG program officer
- Volunteer to review proposals
Look for IPA rotator and federal employee job openings within NSF ENG at nsf.gov/careers/.
