Office of Research, UC Riverside
Search Funding

Program TitleNSF 23-519: Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program: Instrument Acquisition or Development
Program WebsiteLink
AgencyNSF
Number of Submissions Allowed4
Internal UCR Deadline8/15/2024
Agency Final Deadline10/15/2024

Summary:



The
Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program serves to increase access to
multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research
training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit
scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the
acquisition of a multi-user
research instrument that is commercially available through direct purchase from
a vendor, or for the personnel costs and equipment that are required for the
development of an instrument with new capabilities, thereby advancing
instrumentation capabilities and enhancing expertise for instrument design and
fabrication at academic institutions. MRI instruments are, in general, too
costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.



MRI
provides support to acquire critical research instrumentation without which
advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise
occur. MRI also provides support to obtain next-generation research instruments
by developing instruments with new capabilities that open new opportunities to
advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI
award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the
next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.



An
MRI proposal may request from NSF up to $4 million for either acquisition or
development of a research instrument. Each performing organization may submit
in revised
"Tracks" as defined below, with no more than two (2) submissions in
Track 1 and no more than one (1) submission in Track 2. For the newly defined
Track 3, no more than one (1) submission per competition is permitted. As a result,
it is now possible for an institution to submit up to four MRI proposals within
the Track limits as described above.



  • Track
    1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater
    than $100,0001
    and less than $1,400,000.
  • Track
    2: Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater
    than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000.
  • Track
    3: Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater
    than or equal to $100,000 and less than or equal to $4,000,000 that
    include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of
    equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of
    helium. Institutions
    may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3
    proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2
    proposals.


Cost sharing requirements for new awards in the MRI Program are
waived for a period of 5 years beginning with the FY 2023 MRI competition.
Institutional submission limits for Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 proposals
remain.





  • Limit on Number of ‘Track 1’ Proposals per
    Organization:
    2
  • Limit on Number of ‘Track 2’ Proposals per
    Organization:
    1
  • Limit on Number of ‘Track 3’ Proposals per
    Organization:
    1


Anticipated Type of Award:
Standard Grant



Estimated Number of Awards: 100.
The final number of awards will depend on the availability of funds and the
quality of the proposals.



Anticipated Funding Amount:
$75,000,000



Submission
Window Date(s)
(due by
5 p.m. submitter's local time):



  • October 15, 2024 - November 15,
    2024
  • October 15, 2025 - November 14,
    2025
  • October 15, 2026 - November 16,
    2026



Database Key: 2126966006