NSF 09-502

The Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) 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 MRI program assists with the acquisition or development of shared research instrumentation that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. For the purposes of the MRI Program, proposals must be for either acquisition or development. Instruments are expected to be operational for regular research use by the end of the award period. The MRI program now accepts proposals requesting over $2 million in NSF support (to the maximum request of $4 million) for the acquisition of a single instrument. For proposals requesting $2 million or less, investigators may seek support for instrument development or for acquisition of a single instrument, a large system of instruments, or multiple instruments that share a common or specific research focus.

For more information see: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09502/nsf09502.htm

NSF requirements

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 3 as described below:

• No more than two proposal submissions may be for instrument acquisition.
• To promote instrumentation development, the MRI program continues to require that if an organization submits or is included as a funded subawardee/subcontractor in three MRI proposals; at least one of the three proposals must be for instrument development.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: None specified

Important

In order to review candidate proposals to the MRI program, the Office of Research requests a one page description of the proposed project.

Please submit this information to Natalie Wonders at wonden2@rpi.edu by Friday, November 21, 2008 in order to be considered for this program. Proposers will be informed of submission decisions by December 2, 2008. The deadline for submitting full proposals to NSF is January 22, 2009.