Website National Science Foundation
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 $100,0001 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.
In light of these restrictions, it is important that faculty considering participating as a sub awardee on an NSF MRI proposal notify the Office of Research (via email to OR@research.uci.edu) as soon as possible (and prior to the internal deadline listed below for lead proposals). Please note, sub awards that count against our organizational limit will be prioritized by the proportion of use at UCI, with 100% UCI use getting the highest priority.
UCI Faculty seeking to submit either a UCI-lead or co-lead NSF MRI proposal, are asked to submit preliminary proposals containing the following information to the Office of Research (via UCI Review), by Monday August 19, 2024 Thursday, August 29, 2024
- Project summary (no more than 2 pages) that includes:
- An overview, a statement on the intellectual merit of the proposed activity, and a statement on the broader impacts of the proposed activity.
- For instrument acquisition: the manufacturer and model number of desired equipment.
- For instrument development: details about the design phase of the project.
- Preliminary budget estimate of equipment costs (including a quote), and any additional costs (e.g., personnel, travel).
- List of faculty on the proposal (including their titles).
- If your MRI proposal will be a resubmittal, please also provide a short history of the proposal, provide the reviews from the NSF review panel, and please note any interactions with, and feedback from, the Program Officer.
An ad hoc committee will be convened to review the preliminary proposals, and the selected PI(s) will be notified in ample time to meet NSF’s November 15, 2024 deadline.
For the complete NSF guidelines, including detailed information about the MRI Program, please refer to https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/major-research-instrumentation-program-mri.
Questions about our internal campus review process may be directed to Mike Gallo in the Office of Research, at magallo@uci.edu.