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 (see additional information in Important Note on Sponsor Requirements below).
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.
Notice of Interest Process. Only proposals approved by the Division of Research and Economic Development may be submitted to this program. For such approval, the Principal Investigator (PI) must first submit a Notice of Interest to limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu by 4 pm on June 3, 2025. The Notice of Interest must indicate the PI and Co-PIs, and a brief, one paragraph description of the proposed project.
**If necessary, a further white paper round may be required**
Key Submission Dates
- June 3, 2025 by 4 pm – Notice of Interest due to limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu
- June 9, 2025 – Anticipated date applicants will be notified of approval
- November 7, 2025 – All final proposal documents due to OSP
- November 14, 2025 – Full proposal due to NSF
Important Note on Sponsor Requirements
If a subaward to an organization in a development proposal is 20% or less of the proposal’s total budget request from NSF, the subawardee’s submission limit will not be affected. For subawards within a linked collaborative proposal, the 20% threshold applies to the budget request from NSF in the proposal containing the subaward(s), not to the combined budget request from NSF for the collaborative project.
NOTE: Please send all inquiries and submissions for Limited Submission opportunities to limitedsubmissions@boisestate.edu.