The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Established (formerly Experimental) Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), which was created in 1979, identifies, develops, and makes the best use of a state’s academic science and technology resources. SD EPSCoR is NSF-funded.

Besides the National Science Foundation, five other federal agencies have EPSCoR (or EPSCoR-like) programs in which South Dakota participates:

• National Air and Space Administration (NASA EPSCoR) with SD Space Grant Consortium
• National Institutes of Health (NIH IDeA INBRE) with South Dakota NIH IDeA (BRIN)
• Department of Energy (DOE EPSCoR)
• Department of Defense (DEPSCoR)
• Department of Agriculture (USDA EPSCoR)