Dear Researchers,
In late October, the NSF rescinded the solicitation for the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program in order to comply with the recently passed CHIPS Act. A new solicitation was released this morning. Cost sharing is no longer required or permitted. Tracks and funding limits have also been updated as follows:
- 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 (New): 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.
UCSC may submit up to four proposals, with no more than two in Track 1, one in Track 2, and one in the new Track 3. We will be conducting a new internal competition. Submissions to the internal competition are due December 16, 2022 through InfoReady. Proposals are due to NSF by February 21, 2023. NOTE: Inclusion as a funded subawardee on a Development proposal at a level in excess of 20% of the total budget requested from NSF, or as a funded subawardee on any acquisition proposal, will be counted against an organization’s proposal submission limit. Therefore, UCSC PIs intending to propose as collaborators on another institution’s proposal and that fall into the above categories MUST respond to this internal call, regardless of the procedure at the lead campus.
The MRI Program provides support to acquire or develop critical research instrumentation that advances frontiers in science and engineering research and is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. MRI supports instrumentation across NSF’s Directorates and Divisions and focuses on multi-user/shared instrumentation that often supports research needs across disciplinary boundaries. An MRI-supported instrument is intended to serve multiple users both in research and in the training of the next generation of instrument users and/or developers.
See this linked summary for additional information, including internal competition requirements. Research development partners, thank you for distributing widely.
Best regards,
Heather Bell
Director of Research Development