Sponsor
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Summary
The NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program supports the acquisition or development of a multi-user research instrument that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. The MRI program focuses on multi-user/shared instrumentation that often supports research needs across disciplinary boundaries. An instrument acquired or developed with support from the MRI program is expected to be operational by the end of the award period to enable the research/research training activities committed to in the proposal.
For more information, view the Major Research Instrumentation Program solicitation (NSF 23-519).
Award
Track 1: at least $100,000 but less than $1.4M.
Track 2: at least $1.4M and up to a maximum of $4M.
Track 3: at least $100,000 and up to maximum of $4M. Track 3 is for requests that include the acquisition, development, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to reduce consumption of helium.
Regardless of track, acquisition proposals may be funded for up to three (3) years and development proposals may be funded for up to five (5) years.
Limited Submission Requirements and Timeline
Four (4) submissions per institution are allowed. This includes submission as a lead organization, non-lead organization, or subawardee on any proposal. Proposals may be for instrument acquisition or instrument development. Two (2) submissions are permitted for Track 1, one (1) submission is permitted for Track 2, and one (1) submission is permitted for Track 3.
Only proposals approved by the Division of Research and Economic Development may be submitted to this program. For such approval, PIs must first submit a one- to two-page white paper to limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu by 4 pm on August 14, 2024.
Your white paper should follow the structure of the provided white paper template and include:
- An overview of the proposed project and how it will make a substantial improvement in the organization’s capabilities to conduct leading-edge research.
- For acquisition proposals:
- Description of how the instrument is used for multi-user, shared-use research and/or research training.
- For instrument acquisition proposals of $1 million or above, describe the potential impact of the instrument on the research community of interest at the regional or national level, if appropriate.
- For development proposals
- The need for development of a new instrument and its need in the large user community to advance new frontiers in research.
- The availability of appropriate technical expertise to design and construct the instrument.
- Description of space requirements or other university resources that may be associated with the proposed project.
- Description of how the project will provide research experiences for undergraduate students and broaden participation.
White papers will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- The extent to which the proposed project will make a substantial improvement in the organization’s capabilities to conduct leading-edge research, to provide research experiences for undergraduate students using leading-edge capabilities, and to broaden the participation in science and engineering research (especially as lead PIs) by women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities and/or early-career investigators.
- For acquisition proposals:
- The extent to which the instrument is used for multi-user, shared-use research and/or research training.
- Whether the research to be enabled is compelling and justifies the instrument request.
- For instrument acquisition proposals of $1.4 million or above, the potential impact of the instrument on the research community of interest at the regional or national level, if appropriate.
- For development proposals:
- The need for development of a new instrument and appropriateness of submission as a development proposal.
- The availability of appropriate technical expertise to design and construct the instrument.
Key Submission Dates
- August 14, 2024 by 4 pm – White papers due to limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu (we encourage you to cc your Dean for visibility as well)
- August 28, 2024 – Anticipated date applicants will be notified of approval
- November 7, 2024 – All final proposal documents due to OSP
- November 14, 2024 – Full proposal due to NSF
NOTE: Please send all inquiries and submissions for Limited Submission opportunities to limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu.