Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Research Infrastructure Development (RID)

The Oklahoma NASA EPSCoR Reaearch Infrastucture Development goal is “To help Oklahoma researchers develop relationships with NASA through improved research capabilities that are long-term, self-sustaining, and nationally competitive.” The goals of both the Oklahoma EPSCoR and the Oklahoma NASA EPSCoR parallel the NASA EPSCoR Program: • Contribute to and promote the development of research infrastructure in NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions in areas of strategic importance to the NASA Mission; • Improve the capabilities of the NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions to gain support from sources outside the NASA EPSCoR program; • Develop partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions, and industry; • Contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, higher education, and/or economic development of the jurisdiction; and Work in close coordination with the NASA Space Grant program to improve the environment for science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education in the jurisdiction. The magnitude and scope of Project Elements in Oklahoma’s Research Infrastructure Development (RID) proposal are intended to provide the greatest possible opportunity for Oklahoma researchers and students to identify and develop technology and research initiatives, to establish long-term relationships with NASA, and gain support from competitive sources outside of the NASA EPSCoR program. Specific RID activities will target four objectives: 1. Initiate contacts and forge direct partnerships with scientists and researchers at the three Mission Directorates, the Office of the Chief Technologist, and/or one or more of the ten NASA Centers; 2. Promote collaborative research programs with the NASA Centers, Mission Directorates and Industry; 3. Initiate research activities in areas of strategic importance to the Agency; and 4. Support undergraduate and graduate research experiences.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.