NSF-Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program
NSF-Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program
To: Chairs, Departments in the Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences
From: Heather Daniels, Graduate School
Date: October 1, 2008
Subject: NSF-Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program
Deadlines:
Nominations are due at the Graduate School on October 22; Applications are due for internal review at 4:30 pm, Wednesday, October 29.
Project Description:
The MRI program accepts proposals for acquisition or development of research instrumentation that is, in general, too costly for support through other NSF programs. MRI encourages the development and acquisition of research instrumentation for shared inter- and/or intra-organizational use. Proposals may be for a single instrument, a large system of instruments, or multiple instruments that share a common or specific research focus. NSF is stimulating the development of the next generation of research instrumentation by encouraging organizations to submit proposals for instrument development.
For proposals over $2 million, requests must be for the acquisition of a single instrument. For proposals under $2 million, requests may include support for instrument development or for aquisition of a single instrument, a large system of instruments or multiple instruments that share a common or specific research focus.
Eligibility:
The number of proposals UW–Madison may submit is limited to two, but if at least one proposal is for instrument development, three proposals may be submitted. For this reason we will convene an ad hoc committee to review the applications internally and to select the projects to be forwarded to NSF.
NSF requires cost-sharing in the MRI program of at least 30%. See the notice at this web site: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf07251/nsf07251.jsp
The Graduate School has a limited amount of funds available each year to assist applicants to the NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program when that program requires a match. The Graduate School will consider committing a contribution to the match for successful applications, but not more than 50% of the required match nor more than $300,000. However, potential Graduate School contributions are also subject to the availability of funds, competitive review and approval by the Dean of the Graduate School.
Website:
NSF-Major Research Instrumentation Program Solicitation
NSF-Major Research Instrumentation FAQs
This contains additional information on the program and specific application instructions, etc.
Internal Competition Application Instructions:
Notice of intent: Send an email message to gsgrants@bascom.wisc.edu by Wednesday, October 22, 2008 to inform us of your intention to submit a proposal. Please include the following in your email message:
--name and full contact information for the PI
--names and departments of the Co-PIs
--a brief description (sentence or two) of the instrumentation requested
--indicate whether you are proposing instrument development or instrument acquisition
Applications for internal review: Submit your application for the internal competition, including the following information in your application:
1. Prepare applications in 12-point font, single-spaced.
2. Applications should include:
-- Cover page with proposal title, full contact information (building address, phone, email) for the PI
-- 2-3 page description of the proposed instrumentation, the need for the instrumentation, and the faculty/staff programs impacted
-- 2-3 sentences on your plans for meeting the NSF cost-sharing requirement (see NSF cost-sharing notice)
3. Save application as a pdf file.
4. Submit the application as an email attachment to gsgrants@bascom.wisc.edu by 4:30 pm, Wednesday, October 29, 2008 with NSF-MRI-PI’s name in the subject line of the email message.
The NSF-MRI program solicitation will provide detailed proposal preparation and submission instructions. For those projects selected, complete proposals must be submitted using FastLane. For requests between $2 and $4 million, a letter of intent is due at NSF by 5 pm CST on in mid-December. Information about campus procedures for FastLane is posted on the RSP Web site. The NSF proposal deadline is Thursday, January 22, 2009.
If you have any questions about this procedure, please contact Heather Daniels (608) 263-7274 or Petra Schroeder (608) 265-4868 or email gsgrants@bascom.wisc.edu