The way to the Electron Ion Collider in the US

Understanding the emergence of nucleons and nuclei and their interactions from the properties and dynamics of quarks and gluons in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) is a fundamental and compelling goal of nuclear science. A high-energy, high-luminosity polarized electron-ion collider (EIC) has been proposed to explore and advance many aspects of QCD studies in the gluon dominated regions in nucleon and nuclei. Two projects for the EIC are being considered in the U.S.: one each at Jefferson Laboratory (JLab) and at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). An overview of the physics opportunities at an EIC as well as the current activities in the dedicated working groups will be presented.