EPIIC

EPIIC at Stan State

A Stan State team was awarded the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) grant in September 2025. This grant aims to create sustainable, equitable models for collaboration between the campus community, regional industry partners, and external evaluators. While its initial focus is on a regional circular bioeconomy initiative lead by BEAM Circular and North Valley THRIVE through the NSJV-RITE project with the University of the Pacific. As described below, the NSJV-RITE project aims to strengthen all connections that advance Stan State’s strategic goals and expand student opportunities. Focus areas will include reducing barriers to innovation in research, applied learning and entrepreneurship.

EPIIC Team:
Jake Weigel, Professor of Art, NSF EPIIC Principal Investigator & Project Coordinator
Dr. Adam Devitt, Associate Professor of Teacher Education, NSF EPIIC Co-Principal Investigator
Dr. Kari Knutson Miller, Dean of Professional and Global Education (PaGE), NSF EPIIC Co-Principal Investigator
Dr. Kris Roney, Associate Vice President of Faculty Affairs

While we continue to build out the website with more information and updates to the process, please contact Jake Weigel for questions or information.

_{North San Joaquin Valley Regional Innovation Translation Ecosystem (NSJV-RITE)}

The North San Joaquin Valley Regional Innovation Translation Ecosystem (NSJV-RITE) project is a collaboration between Stan State and the University of the Pacific to strengthen the region’s innovation capacity and economic resilience. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this initiative seeks to make the NSJV into a dynamic hub for research, entrepreneurship, and applied learning by aligning institutional assets with regional industry. By mapping institutional strengths, addressing barriers and developing partnership frameworks, the project will connect students, faculty, and local businesses to real-world innovation opportunities.  NSJV-RITE enables Stan State and its partners to drive inclusive and sustainable regional growth, addressing the region’s historic disinvestment and fostering cross-sector collaboration.

_{About NSF EPIIC}

"The Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) program 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 NFS, 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.”