Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) is designed to expand participation in innovation ecosystems that drive key technologies and help colleges and universities build their capacity to grow external partnerships. The National Science Foundation (NSF), including its new Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP), created this program to speed up scientific and technological innovation across the country and ensure everyone can take part in the U.S. research and innovation landscape.

To build more innovation ecosystems, broad networks of partners need to come together to support research that’s practical and can lead to real-world applications or commercial use. This also means developing a skilled workforce. The NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program, under the TIP Directorate, focuses on creating these robust ecosystems nationwide. For this to work, all interested colleges and universities in a region need to be able to participate and bring their unique skills to the table.

Check out the EPIIC Awards.