National Science Foundation (NSF) 23-519: Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program:

Number of slots: up to 4 within Track limits (see below)

Internal Deadline: September 27, 2024 

Sponsor Proposal Deadline: November 15, 2024

The Award & Eligibility Criteria

An MRI proposal may request from NSF up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Each performing organization may submit in revised "Tracks" as defined below, with no more than two (2) submissions in Track 1 and no more than one (1) submission in Track 2. For the newly defined Track 3, no more than one (1) submission per competition is permitted. As a result, it is now possible for an institution to submit up to four MRI proposals within the Track limits as described above.

• Track 1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than $100,0001 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: Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,0001 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. Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals.

Cost sharing requirements for new awards in the MRI Program are waived for a period of 5 years beginning with the FY 2023 MRI competition. Institutional submission limits for Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 proposals remain.

Guidance for the Nomination Process
Interested PIs should submit a 1-2 page project description and C.V. in OpenWater by 5 p.m. on September 27th, here:  https://slu.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/181/home

A SLU faculty selection committee will review and select the most suitable applicant(s) and notify all applicants of the outcome by October 4, 2024, barring any unforeseen circumstances.  The full proposal deadline is 5pm on November 15, 2024.

For more information on the program, please see here, and for the program guidelines and solicitation, please see here.