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L0048
NSF
Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)
NSF

URL for complete guidelines: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09502/nsf09502.htm

Brief Description:

The Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) is designed to increase access to scientific and engineering equipment for research and research training in our Nation's organizations of higher education, research museums and non-profit research organizations. This program seeks to improve the quality and expand the scope of research and research training in science and engineering, and to foster the integration of research and education by providing instrumentation for research-intensive learning environments. The MRI program encourages the development and acquisition of research instrumentation for shared inter- and/or intra-organizational use and in concert with private sector partners.

The MRI program assists in the acquisition or development of major research instrumentation that is, in general, too costly for support through other NSF programs. For proposals over $2 million, requests must be 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.

Please refer to the "Revision Notes" in the complete NSF guidelines for changes.

Award Amount:

• Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be competing for about $110 million in Fiscal Year 2008; up to $20 million of these funds will be available for mid-range instrument acquisition, pending availability of funds.
• The maximum request is $4 million for acquisition proposals or $2 million for development proposals. Acquisition proposals over $2 million must be for single instruments only. The minimum request is $100,000; proposals requesting less than that will be considered only from non-Ph.D. granting organizations or from the disciplines of mathematical science or social, behavioral, and economic science at any eligible organization.
• Proposers may request an award period up to three years for acquisition proposals and up to five years for development proposals.
• Cost Sharing is not required.

Eligibility:
See guidelines for specific eligibility information.

Limitation:
Three per campus
The proposal limit is three (3) per campus, as described below. Both of the following conditions must be met or proposal(s) will be returned without review:

1. An organization (campus at IU) may submit or be included as a partner or subawardee in no more than three proposals.
2. If an organization (campus at IU) submits or is included as a partner or subawardee in three proposals, at least one of the three proposals must be for instrument development.

NSF reserves the right to carefully examine development proposals to ensure that an institution does not exceed its proposal limit. If NSF determines that a development proposal is an acquisition proposal, and such determination results in an institution exceeding its limit, then said proposal will be returned without review.

Internal deadline: 11/23/2009
Internal deadline Indy: 11/23/2009
Preliminary Proposal Deadline: - (Required)
Agency deadline: 1/28/2010

*Status of Internal Competition:
Bloomington - Closed
Indianapolis - Open
East - Open
Fort Wayne - Open
Kokomo - Open
Northwest - Open
South Bend - Open
Southeast - Open

To apply for IU Internal competition:
Although the internal deadline has passed, this opportunity may still be available on a first come-first serve basis at your campus. Please contact your campus representative listed below to verify that applications are still being accepted. IUB is CLOSED.

For consideration, submit the following documents electronically to your campus representative by November 23, 2009 for internal competition if necessary.

• 1-2 page Project Narrative (does not include references): Describe the proposed major research instrumentation, the type of research and/or research training it will enable, and the activities that would result if NSF funds the project. Please be sure to indicate at the top of your proposal if it is for acquisition or development.
• A Letter from the Chair or Dean
• 2-3 page abbreviated CV of the PI/PD

IUB interested applicants, notify Donna Carter at limsub@indiana.edu and IUPUI interested applicants, notify Etta Ward at emward@iupui.edu of your interest in this program ASAP.

IUB College of Arts and Sciences Departments must also copy Robert deRuyter, Assoc. Dean for Research, deruyter@indiana.edu, about your interest in this program.

Contact Information for Inquiries and applications:

Limited Submission		Donna Carter	(812) 856-1368
Bloomington		Donna Carter	(812) 856-1368
East		Mary Blakefield	(765) 973-8522
Fort Wayne		Carl Drummond	(260) 481-5750
Indianapolis		Etta Ward	(317) 278-8427
Kokomo		Linda Bielewicz	(765) 455-9227
Northwest		Marie Czach	(219) 981-4262
South Bend		Erika Zynda	(574) 520-4181
Southeast		Walter Ryan	(812) 941-2539

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*If you are interested in a program with an expired internal deadline which shows a status of "Open", send an e-mail to the appropriate contact above to inquire about submitting an internal proposal for consideration. A program showing a status of "Closed" is not accepting any additional internal applications.
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