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

Note: this Solicitation was canceled in November 2022 and reissued as NSF 23-519.

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. An MRI proposal may request up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument.

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.

The number of MRI proposal submissions allowed per institution is three, and based on the dollar value of the amount requested from NSF: no more than two submissions are permitted in 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 inTrack 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 RFA requires 30% institutional matching. For candidates who plan to request UW Provost Matching Funds, note that being selected for a limited submission does not guarantee that Matching Funds will be approved. See the full guidelines at: 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 Office of Research supplies that detail).

Application Instructions

Please submit:

1. A one‐page letter of intent with a description of proposed aims and approach
2. If the final application requires a diversity statement or statement of broader impacts, please summarize your plans to address the specific requirements on an additional page.
3. CV (not biosketch) of the PI
4. 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 limitedsubs@uw.edu by 5:00 PM Wednesday, October 26, 2022. Proposals are due to the sponsor 1/19/2023, so you will need to have your materials in to the Office of Sponsored Programs by 1/9/2023 if given the go‐ahead by the review committee.