NSF EPSCoR uses three mechanisms to improve the research and development competitiveness of researchers and institutions in the eligible jurisdictions: Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) grants, the Co-funding Mechanism, and EPSCoR Outreach.

• RII grants: These grants run for 36 months and provide up to $9 million to support infrastructure improvements in science and technology (S&T;) areas chosen by the applying jurisdiction's EPSCoR governing committee as being critical to future R&D; competitiveness. A 50 percent non-Federal matching share, up to a maximum of $4.5 million, is required.
• Co-funding Mechanism: This effort enables more awards to be made to researchers in EPSCoR jurisdictions from the Foundation's ongoing research, education, and special emphasis competitions, by providing partial support for those proposals that merit review places at or near the cutoff for funding by the reviewing program. This mechanism operates internally within NSF and does not require any action on the part of the proposer.
• EPSCoR Outreach: This mechanism provides financial support for outreach visits by NSF staff to acquaint researchers in the EPSCoR jurisdictions with NSF priorities, programs, and policies. EPSCoR Outreach also serves to acquaint NSF staff more fully with the facilities, research activities, and investigator expertise/potential within the EPSCoR jurisdictions.