Opportunity Kick-off: NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)

Research Development Opportunity Kick-off events are introductions to specific funding opportunities that provide an overview of requirements, advice and lessons learned from experienced faculty, and a chance to network with other ASU faculty.

Summary: 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.

Solicitation link:  https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5260

Panelists:

• Ira Bennett, Associate Director for Research, School for the Future of Innovation in Society
• Petra Fromme, Center Director and Professor, Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery
• Peter Crozier, Professor, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy
• Andreas Spanias, Professor, School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering

Date: October 5, 2020
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Online only
Register: https://researchacademy.asu.edu/NSF-MRIOctober2020