Shared Instrumentation

NCRR's Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) program supports the purchase of research equipment in the $100,000 to $500,000 price range. Examples of instrumentation supported by SIG funding include nuclear magnetic resonance systems, electron and confocal microscopes, mass spectrometers, protein and DNA sequencers, biosensors, x-ray diffractometers and cell sorters.

• View the FY 2010 SIG Program Announcement (Deadline: March 23, 2009)

From FY 1997 to FY 2008, the SIG program provided 1,609 awards to biomedical research institutions in 49 states and the District of Columbia, totaling $502,508,002.

• FY 1997-2008 SIG Awards (930KB PDF file, requires free Acrobat Reader)

Purpose

The SIG program provides a cost-effective mechanism for groups of NIH-supported investigators to obtain commercially-available equipment that costs more than $100,000. Instruments in this price range are typically too expensive to be obtained through a research project grant. The maximum SIG award is $500,000. These grants cover the direct costs of the instruments; the grantee institution must meet costs for maintenance, service contracts, and technical support. Awards are for one year only and are not renewable.

Eligibility Requirements

SIG awards are made to domestic public and non-profit institutions, including health professional schools, graduate institutions, hospitals, health departments and research organizations. To be eligible for a SIG, an institution must identify three or more major users of the technology who are principal investigators on active NIH awards funded through the P01, R01, U01, R35, R37, DP1, or DP2 mechanisms. However, the principal investigator of the SIG itself does not have to be NIH funded.

How to Apply

SIG applications are submitted to NIH electronically through Grants.gov using the SF 424 Research and Related forms. The application receipt date is once a year, usually in March. Detailed information is available in the most recent SIG program announcement.

Because the SIG program interfaces with other NCRR and NIH grant programs, potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the SIG program director before submitting a proposal.

Forms for Grantees

• SIG Final Progress Report - Instructions
• Form HHS 568 - Final Invention Statement and Certification (For Grant or Award)
• Standard Form 269A - Financial Status Report (Short Form) - 7/97

Contact Information

For further information about NCRR support for shared instrumentation, contact:

Marjorie A. Tingle, Ph.D.
Director, Shared Instrumentation Grant Program
Division of Biomedical Technology
National Center for Research Resources
National Institutes of Health
One Democracy Plaza, Room 962
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4874 (20817 for express mail)
Telephone: 301-435-0772
Fax: 301-480-3659
E-mail: SIG@mail.nih.gov