Annual Reporting

EPSCoR's Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Programs (e.g., RII Track-1, RII Track-2, and RII Track-4) integrative programs provide multiyear support to Principal Investigators (PIs) as continuing awards that are among the largest awarded by NSF. RII Track-1 awards provide up $4 million a year for each year up to five years, and RII Track-2 awards provide up to $1.5 million a year for each year up to four years. Since the duration and size of these awards are extensive, it is necessary for the NSF to ensure that its substantial investment is spent appropriately, that each of the project meets the goals stated in its multi-year strategic plan, and that activities satisfy the goals and objectives of the EPSCoR program. To enable effective oversight of its investment, NSF requires that each currently funded project submit an annual progress report that describes all activities of the project (research, integration of research and education, diversity, workforce development, external engagement, evaluation and assessment, management and sustainability). RII Track-4 awards, though smaller in both scope and duration (up to $300k for up to two years), are also required to submit an annual progress report that describes all activities of the project.

In addition, the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 requires that EPSCoR report on specific items and, as a result, EPSCoR must seek data from awardees to be able to comply with the directives of the Act. 

The annual progress reports and associated data are used to:

• Evaluate annual progress. The primary purpose of the annual reports is to provide the information necessary for the NSF to monitor and evaluate the progress and accomplishments, as well as, to identify problems of individual projects.  The annual reports provide background information for the reverse site visit/site visit reviews/evaluations that are conducted by teams of external reviewers and the NSF staff. The reviews and evaluations provide feedback to the EPSCoR and the NSF about strengths, weaknesses and recommendations to address any weaknesses. 
• Develop internal performance indicators and controls for a project. The annual reports provide information that is used by the leadership of each project to create and monitor metrics or performance indicators in the management of their projects.
• Make funding decisions. The RII Track-1 and Track-2 awards are funded as cooperative agreements, and funds are allocated to each project on an annual basis. The NSF staff uses each annual report together with input from the project’s external evaluator and findings of the cognizant of the Program Officer to make decisions on the continuation and level of funding for the project.
• Evaluate overall effectiveness of the program. The aggregate reports from all projects are used by NSF in evaluating the effectiveness of funding program on an ongoing basis. 
• Respond to Legislative Directives. The aggregate data is used in the reports required by legislation, and in responses to numerous Congressional inquiries and NSF Senior Leadership.