The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in the state of Louisiana will enhance the research competitiveness of approximately 54 scientists working in 5 research clusters at four institutions (University of Southwestern Louisiana, Tulane University, Louisiana State University, and Tulane University Medical Center). The research areas to be studied are: (1) Development of a Interdisciplinary Center in Molecular Evolution; (2) Mechanism of Action of Lytic Peptides; (3) Synthesis of Properties of Enzymes and Other Biopolymers; (4) Fault Tolerant Neural Networks: Design Theories and Applications; and (5) Transport Processes Through Interfaces, Membranes, and Porous Media. NSF funding through the state's EPSCoR Committee ("LaSER") has provided a catalyst to structure and target the earnings from the Louisiana Educational Quality Fund (LEQSF), a $550 million trust fund dedicated to enhancing education. Since 1987, $56 million has been expended from LEQSF in carefully targeted science and engineering (S&E) fields to increase research competitiveness, enhance departments, endow chairs, and provide graduate traineeships. EPSCoR activities are designed to increase the average federal expenditure level per S&E in five priority fields by 30 to 45 percentage points against the national average, and to increase the number of S&E bachelors and doctoral degrees awarded, particularly among minorities, to approximately 90 percent of the national per capita average. These objectives will be achieved by continuing successful LEQSF/LaSER programs and building on the strengths developed in, or emerging from, the projects being supported through stimulation the formation of strong focused research groups and using such "clusters" to promote S&E human resource development. The State and institutions will contribute over $12 million over 3 years.
