Utah
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION (NSF)
is the only federal agency
whose mission includes support
for all fields of fundamental
science and engineering.
BY THE NUMBERS
Utah in FY 2013
$68 Million: NSF funds awarded
22nd: National ranking in NSF funds
25: NSF-funded institutions
235: NSF grant awards
EXAMPLES OF NSF-FUNDED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN UTAH
Researchers at the University of Utah and the University of Toledo are collaborating on a
Urban Water Infrastructure Sustainability Evaluation framework to improve stormwater
management. The project analyzes water infrastructure conditions in an effort to reduce
stormwater volumes and demand for potable water supply.
NSF-funded research at the University of Utah is studying the uniqueness of the influenza A
M2 channel and its effect on proton transport in the virus. In terms of basic research, the M2
channel is of considerable relevance to drug design and virology to target the replication
mechanisms of the flu virus. The research has helped explain how the anti-flu drug
amantadine, blocks the channel and causes it to shut down.
EXAMPLES OF NSF-FUNDED EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN UTAH
Through the S-STEM project, Southern Utah University (SUU) is recruiting and sustaining a cohort of financially
needy and academically talented students in the STEM disciplines. The S-STEM at SUU program targets firstgeneration college students, Title I school graduates, and students from minority populations and awards
scholarships to students majoring in mathematics, engineering, biology, geology, chemistry, or technology.
Ultimately, S-STEM at SUU is enabling scholarship recipients to pursue their degree in a STEM discipline, and
then attend graduate school or be placed in a career within their discipline.
A project supported by NSF’s Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Sciences Research competition at the
University of Utah will test three hypotheses that may explain the root causes of gender-related differences in
mobility patterns and evaluate how natural mobility, navigational style, and spatial ability are related. Because
spatial skills are related to higher levels of performance in mathematics and science, and women and
minorities are underrepresented in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology-related fields, this
research could help make science education and related employment opportunities more broadly accessible.
Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF)  1527 Eighteenth Street, NW  Washington, DC 20036  www.cnsfweb.org
Utah
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) not only funds cutting-edge
research at institutions across the country, NSF’s education initiatives ensure
the U.S. will remain a global leader in innovation for generations to come.
INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE = INVESTMENT IN UTAH
UTAH’S EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM to STIMULATE COMPETITIVE
RESEARCH (EPSCoR) AWARD
Utah is among several states selected by NSF to receive an EPSCoR award. This enables Utah to
compete for federal research funding opportunities not available to non-EPSCoR states. Similarly,
Utah also qualifies as a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA EPSCoR jurisdiction. Utah has
been awarded two NSF EPSCoR cyber-infrastructure grants with a third proposal for research
infrastructure pending. Additionally, Utah has two EPSCoR awards from NASA. Each EPSCoR grant
awarded has significant research, education and outreach components.
http://utepscor.org/about.html
RESEARCH STIMULATED BY EPSCoR
Cyberinfrastructure (CI)-Water, is an interdisciplinary team of Utah and Wyoming
researchers has received a $6 million, three-year award from the National Science
Foundation (NSF) to develop a better understanding of the interconnectivity of natural and
human water resources systems. The award will increase the technological capability of the
researchers to study how factors such as population growth, shifting land uses and climate
variability will impact water storage and availability in the Intermountain West. The CI-WATER
project includes researchers from Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, Utah
State University, and the University of Wyoming. BYU and the University of Wyoming are the
lead institutions for their respective states in the consortium.
iUTAH, innovative Urban Transitions and Aridregion Hydro-sustainability, is a statewide
effort dedicated to maintaining and improving water sustainability in Utah. Funded by the
National Science Foundation's EPSCoR program (Experimental Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research) this five-year, $20 million competitive award will assist in building the
human and research infrastructure needed to sustainably manage Utah's water resources.
Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF)  1527 Eighteenth Street, NW  Washington, DC 20036  www.cnsfweb.org