SD EPSCOR
Research. Education. Economic Development.
The National Science Foundation created the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in 1979 to address the uneven distribution of federal research and development grants. EPSCoR now spans federal agencies, including NASA, DOE, DoD, USDA, NIH, and NSF. South Dakota was one of the initial jurisdictions to participate in the EPSCoR program, starting in 1987.
Current Grant Opportunities
REACH Committee
The South Dakota Research Excellence: A Critical Hallmark (REACH) Committee was formed in 1988 to serve as the governing body for South Dakota’s EPSCoR activities.
The REACH Committee provides oversight for — and an independent and unbiased coordination of — the SD EPSCoR initiatives:
- Seek funding and assess the requirements for improved academic research initiatives supported by the Committee
- Formulate programs and procedures to stimulate and maintain a sustained, viable research infrastructure in the state of South Dakota emphasizing its impact on economic development
- Serve as an educational resource for the general populace concerning scientific research and its economic value
- Seek to achieve competitive research in science, math, engineering, and technology transfer including the encouragement of increased entrance into such fields by the state’s youth, and
- Serve as a catalyst to stimulate the collaboration between the federal government, state government, and industry dedicated to scientific research and infrastructure development within the state
SD EPSCoR REACH Committee
Executive Committee
Darren Haar
Black Hills Angel Fund
REACH Committee Chair
Jaret Heise
SD Science & Tech Authority
SURF Science Liaison Director
REACH Committee Vice Chair
Christoph Bausch
SAb Biotherapeutics
Judith Dittman
SD Board of Regents
Jared Kocer (Term ends 2025)
Director, Raven Industries
Nathan Lukkes
Executive Director/CEO,
SD Board of Regents
Kara McCormick
Sanford Research
Mark Stowers
The Global Bluefish Company LLC
Bill Even
Commissioner, Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Committee Members
Shawn Bordeaux
State Representative
Director, Institute of Tribal Lands
Sinte Gleska University
Dwaine Chapel
CEO/Executive Director,
Research Park at SDSU
Barry Dunn
President,
South Dakota State University
Steve Elliott
President,
Black Hills State University
Tom Eitreim
Executive Director,
South Dakota Enterprise Institute
Dana Gehring
Faculty member, Oglala Lakota College
Sheila Gestring
President,
University of South Dakota
Joseph Graves
Secretary,
SD Department of Education
José-Marie Griffiths
President,
Dakota State University
Mike Headley
Executive Director,
SD Science & Technology Authority
Sue Lancaster
Vice President,
South Dakota Innovation Partners
Steve Lewis
Vice President, POET
Brian Tande
President,
South Dakota Mines
Laurie Nichols
Interim President,
Northern State University
Ex-Officio Committee Members
Laurie Anderson
Vice President for Research,
South Dakota Mines
Liza Clark
Director of Government Relations and Economic Development,
SD Board of Regents
Todd Letcher
Director,
SD NASA EPSCoR
Dan Engebretson
Vice President for Research & Economic Development,
University of South Dakota
Victor Huber
Director,
SD Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN)
Alyssa Kiesow
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences,
Northern State University
Jon Kilpinen
Chief Research Officer,
Black Hills State University
Ashley Podhradsky
Vice President for Research & Economic Development,
Dakota State University
Daniel Scholl
Vice President for Research & Economic Development,
South Dakota State University
South Dakota Science & Technology Plan 2030
The South Dakota Science & Technology Plan 2030 emphasizes the need for the state to invest in research and commercialization to promote economic growth and diversification. It also aims to develop a highly skilled workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Vision: South Dakota aims to invest in research and commercialization to foster economic growth and diversification while educating a well-prepared STEM workforce.
Mission: The goal is to invest in research and commercialization activities, as well as in developing the technical and business skills necessary for the next generation of South Dakotans and students educated in the state. This will enable them to build successful careers and launch or expand science- and technology-driven companies.
Governance: The implementation of this plan will require leadership and coordination from:
1. The state government, through the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
2. The industry-led South Dakota EPSCoR REACH Committee
3. The vice presidents of research and research administrators from South Dakota’s six public universities and three tribal colleges
Partnerships
The South Dakota EPSCoR Office collaborates with a diverse array of national and federal agencies to advance research and development initiatives. Through these partnerships, we aim to enhance scientific exploration and innovation throughout the state, fostering a dynamic environment that promotes growth and collaboration.
Upcoming Events
SD Biotech Summit
October 27, 2025, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (Opening Mixer)
October 28, 2025, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
The Catlin Hotel (Former Hilton Garden Inn) – Downtown Sioux Falls
Research Day at the Capitol
February 23, 2026
11:00am to 2:00pm
Capitol Rotunda, Pierre, South Dakota