NSF – Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) would like to announce the Major Instrumentation Program (MRI) sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The MRI program is a limited submission award, and as such the OVPR will be conducting an internal screening process. Being a highly competitive NSF program, this internal competition is being announced well in advance of the anticipated sponsor deadline as the OVPR wants to be able to provide more time for teams to foster opportunities, as well as provide research support services to assist teams in developing competitive proposals that may be selected for submission to the current or future submission cycles.
The Major Research Instrumentation Program serves to increase access to shared scientific and engineering instruments for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education, museums and science centers, and non-profit organizations. The program provides organizations with opportunities to acquire major instrumentation that supports the research and research training goals of the organization and that may be used by other researchers regionally or nationally.
The MRI program assists with the acquisition or development of a shared research instrument that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. The program does not fund research projects or provide ongoing support for operating or maintaining facilities or centers.
The instrument acquired or developed is expected to be operational for regular research use by the end of the award period. For the purposes of the MRI program, a proposal must be for either acquisition (Track 1) or development (Track 2) of a single, well-integrated instrument. The MRI program does not support the acquisition or development of a suite of instruments to outfit research laboratories/facilities or to conduct independent research activities simultaneously.
Limited Submission
Because a limited number of applications can be submitted for this program, an internal screening process is required. If you are considering submitting an application for the program listed below, an on-line Notification of Intent to Submit must be completed by the requested Intent to Submit Deadline.
When submitting pre-proposals for the internal screening process, be sure to check the Guidelines for updates. Pre-proposals not adhering to these guidelines and instructions will be returned. If you are planning to resubmit a previous proposal or pre-proposal, you must include reviewers’ comments with your submission.
Program Requirements
Limit: Three proposals; at least one must be for instrument development
Intent to Submit Deadline: June 22, 2015
Internal Screening Deadline: July 8, 2015
Sponsor Deadline: January 13, 2016
Additional Instructions: Proposals require a 30% cost-share commitment. As part of the internal screening process, applicants must indicate how the cost-share will be accomplished and should include commitments from respective PIs, department heads, and/or deans. In addition, a listing of the PIs and Co-PIs external funding (funded, pending, and closed) must be included.
For more information, contact: Office of the Vice President for Research at research@uconn.edu