Overview

The Tennessee EPSCoR is a statewide effort led by a Committee representing the academic, private, state, and federal stakeholders interested in improving science and technology research and education within the state. The EPSCoR State Committee provides oversight to the program management team through regular meeting. The State committee has established an Executive Committee to provide guidance to the management team regarding urgent issues. The Committee is an important agent in establishment of partnerships and teaming arrangements between the various stakeholders to enhance and strengthen the EPSCoR program. An important role of the committee is to consider potential research thematic areas that are compatible with NSF guidelines and EPSCoR objectives. The committee will provide long-term vision to the academic community statewide.

The Tennessee EPSCoR management team includes representatives of the University of Tennessee system, the Tennessee board of Regents system and Vanderbilt University. The state Department of Economic and Community Development, the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, and various other universities and businesses provided input in the EPSCoR planning phase.

The goals of the proposed Tennessee EPSCoR program are:

• Improve the quality and competitiveness of the science and engineering research and education programs within the State.
• Emphasize and improve technology transfer between universities and the private sector.
• Promote investments and programs that create jobs, new companies and generally support the economic and community growth in the State of Tennessee.