The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in the state of North Dakota will enhance the research competitiveness of approximately 20 faculty members working in three established research clusters located at the two major state universities, North Dakota State University (NDSU) and The University of North Dakota (UND). The research clusters selected for enhancement have the potential for national prominence and include: (1) Supramolecular Protein Complexes: Roles in Metabolic Regulation and Intracellular Structure (NDSU and UND); (2) Population Change and Genetic Diversity (NDSU and UND) and (3) Main Group Organometallic Chemistry (NDSU). A fourth emerging research cluster in the area of intelligent systems will be supported entirely by state funds. It will provide the state with a means to pursue its economic development strategy in advanced scientific computing. In addition, outreach programs in education and human resource development will be conducted that build and strengthen partnerships between the two universities and the two- and four-year state colleges, Native American community colleges, the high schools and junior high schools in the state, and the general public. The state of North Dakota and institutions will help build and maintain the science and engineering infrastructure through an outright contribution of $1.333 million per year in matching funds plus a full contribution of all indirect costs for a total contribution over three years of over $6.5 million.
