Limited Submission Opportunity: NSF Funds Available

09/10/2024

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program is accepting proposals.

There are up to four slots within track limits. The internal deadline is Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. The sponsor proposal deadline is Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. 

An MRI proposal may request from NSF up to $4 million for either the 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 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 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 five years beginning with the FY 2023 MRI competition. Institutional submission limits for Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 proposals remain.

Guidance for the Nomination Process

Interested PIs should submit a 1-2 page project description and C.V. in OpenWater by 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13. 

A SLU faculty selection committee will review and select the most suitable applicant(s) and notify all applicants of the outcome by Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, barring any unforeseen circumstances. The full proposal deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

For more information on the program, visit the NSF website. Program guidelines and solicitation can also be found online.