BACKGROUND
The Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) is designed to improve
the condition of scientific and engineering equipment and facilities for
research and research training in our Nation's academic institutions. This
program seeks to improve the quality and expand the scope of research and
research training in science and engineering, and to foster the integration
of research and education by providing instrumentation for research-intensive
learning environments.
Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be
competing for about $50 million in Fiscal Year 1998. The overall proposal
funding rate for the FY 1997 MRI competition was approximately 33%.
GOALS
The goals of the MRI Program are to:
- Support the acquisition, through purchase, upgrade, or development, of
major state-of-the-art instrumentation for research, research training, and
integrated research/education activities at U.S. institutions;
- Improve access to and increase use of modern research and research
training instrumentation by scientists, engineers, and graduate and
undergraduate students;
- Enable academic departments or cross-departmental units to create
well-equipped learning environments that integrate research with education; o
Foster the development of the next generation of instrumentation for
research and research training; and
- Promote partnerships between academic researchers and private sector
instrument developers.
SCOPE
The MRI Program assists in the acquisition or development of major
research instrumentation by U.S. institutions that is, in general, too costly
for support through other NSF programs. The maintenance and technical
support associated with these instruments are also supported. Proposals may
be for a single instrument, a large system of instruments, or multiple
instruments that share a common research focus. Computer systems, clusters of
advanced workstations, networks, and other information infrastructure
components necessary for research are encouraged. Proposals for computer
networks as general purpose equipment will not be reviewed. A list of
assorted instruments or general lab equipment that do not share a common
research or research training focus will not be reviewed. Instrumentation
requested exclusively for standard S&E courses will also not be reviewed.
This program will not support renovation or modernization of research
facilities or fixed equipment (see definitions). Note: The MRI Program
will not review a duplicate proposal submitted to another NSF instrumentation
program.
Awards for instrumentation will range from $100,000 to $2 million. Lesser
amounts will be considered in proposals from non-Ph.D. granting institutions,
from mathematical sciences, or from the social, behavioral and economic
science communities.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
Proposals may be submitted by U.S. institutions of higher education,
independent nonprofit research institutions, research museums, and legally
incorporated consortia thereof. An institution may submit up to three
proposals: two proposals for instrument acquisition or development,
plus a third solely for instrument development. In addition, an
institution may be included as a member of a consortium submitting a separate
proposal, clearly labeled as such in the proposal's title. A consortium may
also submit a proposal, through a U.S. university, for instrumentation to be
used at a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). Small
businesses are eligible for instrument development support as private sector
partners with submitting universities.
ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Proposals will be considered for instrumentation used for any
NSF-supported field of science, mathematics, and engineering. The research
activities using this instrumentation need not be supported by NSF or the
Federal government. The Program will not provide support for instrumentation
to be used in the conduct of disease-oriented research, including the
etiology, diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality
or malfunction in human beings or animals, or the design and testing of drugs
for treatment of such conditions.
INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT
The academic research enterprise relies on and produces new generations of
sophisticated research instrumentation and software simulations thereof. The
right design, development, and manufacturing processes can yield new
instruments that are more widely used, open up new areas of research and
research training, and have potential as commercial products. This
competition seeks to expand the research community's capabilities by
supporting the development of new instruments (or their software simulations)
with enhanced performance. "Performance" includes: accuracy, reliability,
resolving power, throughput speed, sample capacity, flexibility of operation,
breadth of application, user-friendliness, and cost of acquisition,
operation, and maintenance.
Individual investigators and teams of researchers are encouraged to apply
for instrument development support. NSF is taking the initiative in
stimulating development of the next generation of research instrumentation by
allowing institutions to submit a third proposal that targets instrument
development. NSF particularly encourages collaborations between disciplinary
scientists who are knowledgeable in unique instrumentation areas and private
sector experts in the area of instrument manufacture. Working together within
a framework of concurrent engineering, such partnerships have the potential
to create new products with wide scientific and commercial impact. These
academic research/private sector partnerships must be performed in the United
States. The "United States" is defined as the 50 states, territories and
possessions of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands, and the District of Columbia.
ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS
Eligible project costs are those total project costs (comprising the NSF
award plus the institution's cost sharing) that are properly and reasonably
allocable to the research instrumentation based on the percentage of time
that it is used for research and research training. For instrument
acquisition proposals, eligible project costs include: costs of instrument
purchase, installation, commissioning, and calibration. The direct and
indirect costs of operation, maintenance, and other appropriate technical
support during the award period are also eligible. For instrument
development proposals, eligible project costs include all of the items listed
above, as well as the direct and indirect costs associated with support for
personnel engaged in the instrument development effort.
COST SHARING/MATCHING REQUIREMENTS
Cost sharing at a level of 30% of total eligible project
costs is required. The minimum award from NSF will be $100,000
(except for non-Ph.D. granting institutions, mathematical sciences, and the
social, behavioral and economic sciences), and the maximum award will be $2
million. The minimum total project cost will therefore be $143,000 (assuming
30% cost sharing). The cost sharing may come from any private or non-Federal
public source and may be in cash or in kind, fairly valuated (see OMB
Circular A-110, Section.23). Manufacturers' discounts are encouraged for
reducing total project costs, but are not eligible institutional cost
sharing. For instrument acquisition projects, eligible cost sharing may
include partial purchase of the instrumentation and costs of instrument
installation and calibration. In addition, an institution may provide as
cost sharing the direct and indirect costs of supplies and personnel directly
associated with operation and maintenance of the instrumentation, up to a
yearly limit equivalent to 10% of the total instrument hardware cost in each
year of the award period (up to three years). For instrument development
projects, eligible cost sharing includes all items eligible for instrument
acquisition projects. In addition, an institution may provide as cost sharing
the direct and indirect costs of supplies and personnel directly associated
with instrument design, development, operation, and maintenance, up to a
yearly limit equivalent to 10% of the total instrument hardware cost in each
year of the award period (up to five years).
Institutional cost sharing must occur during the award period.
PROPOSAL FORMAT REQUIREMENTS AND ELECTRONIC
SUBMISSION
Proposals must be submitted electronically using the NSF
FastLane system for electronic proposal submission and review, available
through the World Wide Web at the FastLane home page
(http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov).
Instructions for electronic submission can be found by accessing the FastLane
home page. Since this process is fairly new to many users, it is advised that
the proposal preparation and submission process be done early. General
information about NSF's policies and procedures on proposals, declinations,
and awards is contained in Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 98-2) and can be
located on the NSF homepage (http://www.nsf.gov).
In order to use NSF FastLane to prepare and submit a proposal, you must
use a browser that supports multiple buttons and file upload (e.g., Netscape
3.0 and above for Windows, UNIX, or Macintosh). In addition, Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view and
print forms. Adobe Acrobat Exchange 2.0 or above, Adobe Distiller 2.0 or
above, or Acrobat 3.X (which includes Adobe Exchange and Distiller) is needed
for creating PDF files. To access the FastLane Proposal Preparation
application, your institution needs to be a registered FastLane institution.
A list of registered institutions and the FastLane registration form are
located on the FastLane home page.
For questions or problems concerning submitting a MRI proposal via
FastLane, please contact a FastLane User Support person at electronic mail:
mriflane@nsf.gov or phone (703)
306-1142 {If you reach the automated attendant, please dial extension 4686}.
For non-FastLane questions related to the MRI competition, please contact the
MRI program at mri@nsf.gov or at (703)
306-1040.
Proposals that do not adhere to the format below or the stated page
limitations will not be reviewed. Submission Deadline and Timing:
Proposals must be received electronically by 5 PM, EST, January 30, 1998.
A signed paper copy of the Proposal Cover Sheet, Certification Page, and
letters of commitment to institutional cost-sharing must arrive by February
5, 1998. Structure and Content:
Cover Page (Form 1207). On the cover page, select Major
Research Instrumentation as the designated organizational unit. The project
title should identify the scientific discipline(s) for which the
instrumentation is requested, should convey the primary purpose of the
proposal, e.g., "Acquisition of ____" or "Development of ____," and should
specify if the proposal is being submitted by a consortium. The requested
amount shown on the cover page should be the amount requested from NSF, not
the total eligible project costs.
Information about Principal Investigators/Project Directors
(Form 1225 is automatically generated by FastLane).
Paginated Table of Contents (Form 1359 cannot be edited
and is automatically completed by FastLane)
Project Summary (Maximum length, 1 page). Describe the
proposed major research instrumentation, the type of research/research
training conducted, and the activity that would result if the project is
funded by NSF.
Project Description (Maximum length, 15 pages, including all
figures and charts). Please note: When preparing the Project Description in
Fastlane, this section must include items A-E. If item A, "Results from
Prior NSF Support "is not applicable, the project description should contain
items B-E.
a. |
Results from Prior NSF Support (Maximum length, 5 pages). Include
this section only if the PI(s) has received NSF support for
instrumentation. |
b. |
Research Activities (Maximum length, 10 pages; 6
suggested for instrument development). Describe the research and research
training activities and projects to be conducted with the desired
instrumentation, and sources of support, if any. In narrative or tabular
form, list by number and type (e.g., senior personnel, postdoctoral fellows,
graduate students, undergraduate students) the personnel using the
instrumentation for research and research training on a regular
basis. |
c. |
Description of the Research Instrumentation
and Needs (Maximum length, 2 pages; 6 suggested for instrumentation
development). Provide a technical description of the requested
instrumentation, including manufacturer and model number. The description
should be comprehensive enough to allow reviewers to evaluate the extent to
which the equipment is essential and appropriate. A listing and/or
description of related instrumentation currently available at or near the
submitting institution should be provided, and the request should be
justified in this context. For development of new instrumentation, present
the design concept, rationale, and development methods in sufficient detail
to allow evaluation of its technical feasibility. Provide preliminary
results from existing equipment, or appropriate calculations or models to
show the performance (e.g., sensitivity, capacity, stability, resolution or
signal-to-noise ratio) to be achieved by the new instrument. Justify the
necessity and adequacy of the new instrumentation for the proposed research
projects, with reference to existing instruments. |
d. |
Impact of Infrastructure Projects
(Maximumlength, 2 pages). Describe how the instrumentation will contribute to
meeting the research and educational goals of the institution or consortium.
Indicate how the instrumentation will attract researchers and students,
particularly underrepresented groups and women pursuing advanced degrees in
science and engineering, and improve the quality of their research training.
For instrument development proposals, discuss the potential impact of this
activity on the Nation's academic research infrastructure. Describe how
students will be involved and how their education will be enhanced through
development efforts. If the development effort involves a private sector
partner, submit a letter of agreement describing their role with the signed
cover sheet. |
e. |
Project and Management Plans (Maximum
length, 1 page). Outline procedures for allocating instrument time if
appropriate. Describe user fees if any are planned. Provide plans for the
maintenance, operation, and technical support of the instrumentation, and for
attracting new users. |
References Cited.
Budget and Funding. Provide a single cumulative budget
page (Form 1030) presenting only those eligible project costs that NSF is
being asked to fund. Institutional cost sharing should be shown on Line M,
Form 1030. The budget justification, which must not exceed three-pages,
should itemize and explain all eligible project costs, assign each to
either the NSF request or institutional cost sharing, and explain the basis
for all cost estimates. Specify the sources and amounts of cost sharing funds
(e.g., state appropriations, department funds, private sources); the steps
necessary to obtain cost sharing funds; and a projection of when they will be
available. A letter of commitment to institutional cost sharing from the
appropriate institutional officer must accompany the signed cover sheet.
Documentation indicating price quotes of largest items may also be submitted
with the signed cover sheet.
Current and Pending Support (Form 1239). Provide a form for the
PI, Co-PI, and each major user of the instrumentation listed in 5b, above.
If an individual has no current or pending support (other than this
proposal), completion of the form is not required. FastLane will
automatically generate a form indicating that no current and pending support
was provided for that individual.
Biographical Sketches. Each copy must include the collected
two-page biographical sketches of the PI, Co-PI, and senior personnel who are
major users of the relevant research instrumentation, listing no more than
five recent publications most relevant to the research and research training
using the requested instrumentation. Also identify the individual responsible
for the instrumentation and provide his/her brief vitae, including relevant
experience Do NOT send copies of the publications. Where the number of senior
personnel is large, limit the number of biographical sketches.
Letter to Director, OSTI, of Institutional Cost Sharing
Commitment (required) and Letters of Industrial Partnership
(optional) should be submitted with the signed cover sheet and certification
page. Letters are not to be submitted over FastLane.
NOTE: No other items are to be included. Proposals containing
items other than those required above will not be reviewed.
Where To Submit:
Proposals for the Major Research Instrumentation Program must be submitted
electronically to NSF no later than 5 PM, on January 30, 1998. Note:
A signed paper copy of the Proposal Cover Sheet, Certification Page, and
letters of commitment to institutional cost-sharing and industrial
partnerships must be mailed to the address below to arrive by February 5,
1998.
- Office of Science and Technology Infrastructure
Major Research Instrumentation Program
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 1270
Arlington, VA 22230
REVIEW AND SELECTION
Proposals will be reviewed in the appropriate NSF division. PIs will
receive an acknowledgment with a proposal number and a three-letter prefix
for the cognizant division. Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with
established NSF procedures and the revised merit review criteria described in
the GPG.
Evaluation Criteria:
What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?
How important is the requested instrument in advancing knowledge and
understanding within the proposed field or across different fields? How well
qualified is the proposer (individual or team) who will use or develop the
instrumentation? (If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality of
prior work.) To what extent does the use of the requested instrumentation in
the research activity suggest and explore creative and original concepts? How
well conceived and organized is the proposed activity? Is the instrumentation
appropriate and required for current and expected research and training
activities? Are there sufficient institutional resources to maintain and
operate the requested instrument?
What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?
Will the proposed acquisition or development of the instrumentation
advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and
learning? How well does the proposed instrumentation help broaden the
participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity,
disability, geographic, etc.) in research and training activities? To what
extent will the proposed instrumentation be used to enhance the institution's
academic scientific and engineering infrastructure for research and
education? Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and
technological understanding? What may be the benefits of the proposed
activity to society?
Additional Considerations
In addition to the two evaluation criteria stated above, NSF will consider
the following factors in making MRI awards:
Instrument development with a private sector partner.
The ability to demonstrate the shared use of the instruments for
research and/or research training.
Whether the research and/or research training served by the
instrumentation advances the goals and aligns with the goals and core
strategies articulated in "NSF In A Changing World,"
the Foundation's strategic plan (NSF 95-24).
The program is committed to supporting quality proposals from
non-Ph.D. granting and minority institutions.
Geographic distribution and distribution across Ph.D. and non-Ph.D.
granting institutions.
AWARDS
NSF awards will be grants that range from approximately $100,000
(exceptions listed above) to a maximum of $2 million. Award durations are not
expected to exceed three years, except awards for the development of major
research instru-mentation which may be made for up to five years. It is
anticipated that award decisions will be announced in the Fall 1998.
NSF awards will stipulate that the awardee is responsible for contributing
the specified and agreed upon amount of cost sharing during the award period.
In light of this requirement, NSF funds will not be awarded until required
cost sharing commitments have been assured. A letter from an
institutional officer stating the amount and source of eligible cost sharing,
and assuring availability and commitment of these funds during the proposed
award period must accompany the signed cover sheet for an award
recommendation to be processed. In addition, NSF award conditions may
specify special reports, on-site inspections, or other requirements.
NSF requires prospective grantees to furnish, upon request by NSF's
Division of Grants and Agreements, basic organization and management
information that will assist the NSF Grant Officers in assessing their
financial and managerial responsibility. These requirements are described in
the NSF Grant Policy Manual (July 1995), particularly Chapters IV and V.
Grants awarded as a result of this solicitation are administered in
accordance with the terms and conditions of NSF GC-1, "Grant General
Conditions," or FDP-III, "Federal Demonstration Partnership General Terms and
Conditions," depending on the grantee organization.
INQUIRIES
Inquiries about the NSF Major Instrumentation Program should be addressed
to:
- Office of Science and Technology Infrastructure
Major Research Instrumentation Program
National Science Foundation
Room 1270
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel. (703) 306-1040
E-Mail: mri@nsf.gov(Internet)
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply to the Major Research Instrumentation
Program and this program solicitation:
Institution: A separate legal and fiscal entity, whether at
the central or system level, main campus level, or branch campus level, which
can receive awards and which is sep-arately and consistently identified at
that level by NSF.
Institutions of Higher Education: Institutions legally
au-thorized and accredited at the college level by a nationally recognized
accrediting agency to offer and which are offer-ing at least a two-year
program of college-level studies leading toward a degree.
Independent Nonprofit Research Institutions: Independent
legal entities, other than institutions of higher education, which are
generally recognized as separately incorporated, non-profit, tax exempt
organizations, and which conduct research as one of their primary
purposes.
Research Museums: Independent nonprofit science museums,
zoological parks, aquaria, natural history museums, etc., which conduct
research as one of their primary purposes.
Consortia: Legally recognized groups consisting exclusively
of two or more eligible institutions. For the purposes of evaluation and
review, a consortium proposal will be identified with the institution
where the requested research instrumentation is located.
Research Facilities: The bricks-and-mortar physical plant in
which sponsored or unsponsored research activities (including research
training) take place, including related infrastructure, systems
(e.g., HVAC and power systems, toxic waste removal systems), and
fixed equipment.
Fixed Equipment. The permanent components of a research
facility that are integral (i.e., built in, rather than
affixed) to the facility (e.g., clean rooms, fume hoods, elevators,
growth chambers, laboratory casework); their removal would affect the
integrity or basic operation of the facility. Research Training:
Training of individuals (including ad-vanced undergraduates, graduate
students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty) in research techniques
where such activities utilize the same facilities as research
activities. Research training does not include introductory science
or engineering instruction, whether in a classroom or instructional
laboratory.
Minority Institutions: Historically Black
colleges and uni-versities defined as "part B institutions" by
section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1061(2)) and other institutions whose enrollments are: (a) more than
50 percent of a combination of any of the following groups: Alaskan
Native (Eskimo or Aleut), American Indian, Afro/American Black,
Hispanic, or Native Pacific Islander; or (b) 20 percent or more of
any one of the above eligible minorities.
Non-Ph.D. Granting Institutions: Two- and four-year colleges
and universities that have produced fewer than 20 Ph.D.s or D.Sci.s in all NSF-supported
disciplines during the two previous academic years.
Private Sector:
A business that is: 1) independently owned and operated, has its
principal place of business in the United States, and is organized
for profit; and 2) at least 51 percent owned, or in the case of a
publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of its voting stock is
owned by United States citizens or lawfully admitted permanent
resident aliens.
RELATED NSF PROGRAMS FOR RESEARCH
INSTRUMENTATION
Program Title |
Brochure |
Telephone |
Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities |
NSF
98-10 |
(703) 306-1849 |
Instrumentation for Materials Research |
NSF
94-108 |
(703) 306-1810 |
Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation Program, Division of
Astronomical Sciences |
No Publication # |
(703) 306-1829 |
Scientific Computing Research Equipment for the Mathematical
Sciences |
NSF
98-31 |
(703) 306-1870 |
Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities |
NSF
96-50 |
(703) 306-1558 |
Ocean Science Research, Ocean Technology and Interdisciplinary
Coordination Program |
NSF
93-163 |
(703) 306-1584 |
Ocean Centers and Facilities, Instrumentation and Technical Services
Program |
NSF
94-124 |
(703) 306-1578 |
Engineering Research Equipment* |
No Publication # |
(703) 306-1360 |
Improvements in Facilities, Communications, and Equipment at Biological
Field Stations and Marine Laboratories |
NSF
98-17 (electronic only) |
(703) 306-1469 |
Instrument Development for Biological Research |
NSF
98-119 (electronic only) |
(703) 306-1472 |
Multi-user Biological Equipment and Instrumentation Resources |
NSF
98-137 (electronic only) |
(703) 306-1472 |
Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement |
NSF
98-45 |
(703) 306-1667 |
Computer Information Science & Engineering Research Infrastructure |
NSF
98-159 |
(703) 306-1981 |
Instrumentation Grants for Research in Computer and Information Science
and Engineering |
NSF
98-132 |
(703) 306-1980 |
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Science Instrumentation
(contact Dr. John Yellen) |
NSF
95-13 |
(703) 306-1759 |
Small Business Innovation Research |
NSF
97-64 |
(703) 306-1391 |
Information on the above NSF Instrumentation Programs can be
retrieved by accessing the individual Directorate websites on the NSF Home
page (http://www.nsf.gov). |
*(Note: As of FY 1998, the Directorate for
Engineering will no longer have a separate "Research Equipment Grant"
Program). Access the Directorate for Engineering's webpage to retrieve
information on the types of support available for the acquisition of
specialized equipment and /or instrumentation. |
The Foundation provides awards for research in the sciences and
engineering. The awardee is wholly responsible for the conduct of such
research and preparation of the results for publication. The Foundation,
therefore, does not assume responsibility for the research findings or their
interpretation.
The Foundation welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists and
engineers and strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with
disabilities to compete fully in any of the research related programs
described here. In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and NSF
policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or
disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits
of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving
financial assistance from the National Science Foundation.
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED)
provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with
disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research
assistants) to work on NSF projects. See the program announcement or contact
the program coordinator at (703) 306-1636.
Privacy Act and Public Burden. The information requested on proposal
forms is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act
of 1950, as amended. It will be used in connection with the selection of
qualified proposals and may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff
assistants as part of the review process; to applicant institutions/grantees;
to provide or obtain data regarding the application review process, award
decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors,
experts, volunteers, and researchers as necessary to complete assigned work;
and to other government agencies in order to coordinate programs. See
Systems of Records, NSF 50, Principal Investigators/Proposal File and
Associated Records, and NSF-51, 60 Federal Register 4449 (January 23, 1995).
Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records, 59 Federal Register 8031
(February 17, 1994). Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to
provide full and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of
your receiving an award.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to
average 120 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing
this burden, to Gail A. McHenry, Reports Clearance Officer, Information
Dissemination Branch, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Suite 245, Arlington, VA 22230.
The National Science Foundation has TDD (Telephonic Device for the Deaf)
capability, which enables individuals with hearing impairment to communicate
with the Foundation about NSF programs, employment, or general information.
To access NSF TDD, dial (703) 306-0090; for FIRS, 1-800-877-8339.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers:
- 47.041 Engineering Grants
47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences
47.050 Geosciences
47.070 Computer and Information Science and Engineering
47.074 Biological Sciences
47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
47.076 Education and Human Resources
47.078 Polar Programs
OMB# 3145-0058
P.T. 18
NSF 98-16 ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION ONLY
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