Sponsored by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is designed to promote the development of science and technology resources across the United States.  Through partnerships with universities, government, and small businesses, Montana NSF EPSCoR operates on the principle that aiding researchers and institutions in securing Federal Research and Development funding will develop the state’s research infrastructure and advance economic growth.

The two primary research focus areas, Hydrogen and the Environment (HE) and Large River Ecosystems (LRE), were chosen for the current three-year grant (2007-2010) due to their regional relevance, national significance, probability of participation by universities and tribal colleges, and because they utilize the unique resources in Montana.  

Montana NSF EPSCoR strives to maximize the potential inherent in this state’s science and technology resources and use those resources as a foundation for economic growth. The majority of research in Montana occurs through its PhD granting institutions (Montana State University and The University of Montana) and their affiliate schools.  Therefore, the largest portion of the Montana NSF EPSCoR award is invested in higher learning institutions: high-quality research faculty, state-of-the-art equipment, exceptional graduate students and eager undergraduates, with additional importance placed upon recruitment of qualified women and/or candidates from underrepresented groups to diversify the scientific community in Montana and the nation.

Investment in the minds of Montana’s youth is yet another way to bolster the research infrastructure in the state. To encourage and grow the next generation of US-born scientists, Montana NSF EPSCoR offers outreach and educational programs to encourage young people to become interested in science. These initiatives also are means to communicate the research being conducted at Montana's universities to local communities.