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Find similar grantsMajor Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) is sponsored by NSF. Supports the acquisition or development of multi-user research instruments that are critical to the advancement of science and engineering.
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Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) NSF's implementation of the revised 2 CFR NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website .
These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.
Important information for proposers All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements.
Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.
Updates to NSF Research Security Policies On July 10, 2025, NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to the agency's research security policies, including a research security training requirement, Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program annual certification requirement, prohibition on Confucius institutes and an updated FFDR reporting and submission timeline.
Supports requests for up to $4 million from NSF for the development or acquisition of multi-user research instruments that are critical to the advancement of science and engineering. Instrument Acquisition or Development Supports requests for up to $4 million from NSF for the development or acquisition of multi-user research instruments that are critical to the advancement of science and engineering.
The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program ( MRI Program Website) 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 $100,000 [1] 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 [1] 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.
The MRI Program especially seeks broad representation of groups, institutions, and geographic regions that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines. Proposals from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities and early-career PIs are encouraged, as are proposals that benefit early-career researchers and proposals with PIs from geographically underserved regions, including EPSCoR jurisdictions.
Additionally, proposals are encouraged from under-resourced institutions, including from emerging research institutions, where MRI can significantly build capacity for research.
___________________________ [1] Track 1 proposals requesting funds from NSF less than $100,000 will be accepted only from: a) eligible performing organizations requesting instrumentation supporting research in the disciplines of mathematics or social, behavioral and economic sciences; or b) non-Ph. D. -granting institutions of higher education requesting instrumentation supporting research in any NSF-supported disciplines.
Updates and announcements NSF Major Research Instrumentation presentation slides for FY 2026 Changes to NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program for FY 2026 Additional MRI Program Contacts General information for the MRI Program is available as follows: Office of Integrative Activities (OIA) Major Research Instrumentation Program National Science Foundation OIA MRI Website: http://www. nsf.
gov/od/oia/programs/mri October 4, 2024 - MRI Town Hall Webinars - October 3rd and 4th October 3, 2024 - MRI Town Hall Webinars - October 3rd and 4th September 15, 2023 - Major Research Instrumentation Virtual Town Halls September 14, 2023 - Major Research Instrumentation Virtual Town Halls July 12, 2023 - MCB Virtual Office Hour: Major Research Instrumentation Program… June 20, 2023 - Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Virtual Office Hours December 8, 2022 - MRI 2023 Solicitation Virtual Townhall Meeting December 7, 2022 - MRI 2023 Solicitation Virtual Townhall Meeting July 19, 2022 - DBI Virtual Office Hour: Instrumentation Additional program resources Awards made through this program Browse projects funded by this program Office of Integrative Activities (OD/OIA) Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) Directorate for Engineering (ENG) Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)
Key questions and narrative sections extracted from the solicitation.
Instrument Location and Type: Provide a statement describing the physical location of the instrument.
Research Activities Enabled: Describe specific research projects, personnel by type and number, and funding sources that the instrument will support.
Instrument Description and Needs: Provide technical specifications, justification for why the instrument is needed, and feasibility of acquisition or development.
Broader Impacts: Describe training opportunities, contributions to diversity, community benefits, and the institution's DEIA commitment.
Management Plan: Describe operations, maintenance, personnel expertise, and usage allocation procedures for the instrument.
For Development proposals: Justify why the submission qualifies as development, address design, construction, and commissioning phases with work breakdown, and provide risk mitigation and knowledge transfer plans.
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Nonprofits, Universities, State/local governments, For-profit organizations Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Funding amounts vary based on project scope and sponsor guidance. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
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Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
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