Funding

The National Science Foundation's Major Research Instrumentation Grant (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

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

NSF limits the number of proposals submitted by an organization to the following: 2 proposals – Track 1 – fund request greater than $100,000 but less than $1,000,000 and 1 proposal – Track 2 – fund request greater than or equal to $1,000,000 and up to and including $4,000,000.

If three proposals are submitted, at least one of the proposals must be for instrument development (i.e., no more than two proposals may be for instrument acquisition).

Internal Selection Process:

1. Potential applicants must submit a notice of intent (NOI)  via the Kuali Build Application to compete by Thursday, November 12^th, 2021
2. Pre-proposal applications to this internal competition are due November 22^nd, 2021

All pre-proposal materials should be uploaded with in the Kuali Build Application (if internal competition is required)

Winners of the internal competition will be notified of their authorization to submit a full proposal to the NSF in the second week in December, 2021.  You will then with the Office of Research and Projects to prepare you submission to NSF.

1. Proposal Routed in Kuali Research: January 6^th, 2022, First Thursday in January.
2. NSF Full Application Deadline: January 19^th, 2022. Third Wednesday in January, through Kuali Research and Fastlane/Research.gov with the assistance of the SIUE Office of Research and Projects.

*Please note that Co-PIs on a proposal with someone outside of our institution are still required to submit proposal materials to the Office of Research and Projects. The NSF will count the collaborative proposal toward our institutional limit. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, including minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans. Faculty with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (618) 650-2333.

For More information Click here, or contact Jill Laughlin jilaugh@siue.edu. Ext. 3114.