Major Research Instrumentation Program: (MRI) Instrument Acquisition or Development

Number of applications UW can put forward: 3 (2 in Track 1, 1 in Track 2) The number of MRI proposal submissions allowed per institution continues to be a maximum of three, but is now based on the dollar value of the amount requested from NSF; no more than two submissions are permitted in a newly-defined Track 1 (Track 1 proposals are those requesting from NSF $100,000 to less than $1 million) and no more than one submission is permitted in a newly defined Track 2 (Track 2 proposals are those requesting from NSF $1 million up to and including $4 million). Proposal submissions within the two tracks may be either for acquisition or development of a research instrument.

Note: 3 documents are required for the final proposal to the sponsor (but not for the pre-proposal)

• Matching Funds Form - This requires 30% institutional matching, of which the Office of research will provide 1/3rd for any successful proposals – for this, a Matching Funds Request form will be needed: https://www.washington.edu/research/or/matching-funds-request/
• Cost share letter: PI works with Chair to draft the cost share letter outlining the funding from all units.
• Letter of Institutional Support: PI drafts the institutional support letter, which includes 5 years’ worth of MRI awards detail to UW.

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 or development of a multi-user research instrument that is, 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 develop next-generation research instruments 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 up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Beginning with the FY 2018 competition, each performing organization may submit in revised “Tracks” as defined below, with no more than two submissions in Track 1 and no more than one submission in Track 2.

• Track 1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000¹ and less than $1,000,000.
• Track 2: Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,000,000 up to and including $4,000,000.

Consistent with the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-69), cost sharing of precisely 30% of the total project cost is required for Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education and for non-degree-granting organizations. Non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education are exempt from the cost-sharing requirement and cannot include it. National Science Board policy prohibits voluntary committed cost sharing.

Application Instructions

Please submit:

1. a one-page letter of intent with a description of proposed aims and approach
2. CV (not NIH format)  of the PI
3. A letter of support from the Dean or Chair. This letter of support signifies that the Dean or Chair have ensured that the nominee and application are likely to be of sufficient quality to be competitive nationally

to research@uw.edu by 5:00 PM Thursday September 5, 2019. Proposals are due to the sponsor 1/19/20, so you will need to have your materials in to the Office of Sponsored Programs by 1/9/20 for processing, if given the go ahead by the Proposal Review Committee. O