Press Release 09-095
NSF Announces $200 Million Funding for Research Instrumentation

Funding is provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

A mid-infrared laser being developed with support from NSF's Major Research Instrumentation program. Credit and Larger Version

May 11, 2009

The National Science Foundation today announced a special opportunity for funding projects that strengthen the research infrastructure in the nation's science and engineering research and education institutions. Funding of $300 million was provided for the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed into law by President Barack Obama in February 2009.

Under the special solicitation for proposals released today, NSF can invest up to $6 million for individual projects, up to a total of $200 million. The additional $100 million provided for MRI will be applied to NSF's annual MRI competition for FY2009.

NSF is one of the federal agencies designated to apply ARRA funds to ensuring that America remains a leader in science and engineering research and education.

The MRI program enhances the nation's research infrastructure by providing researchers and students access to state-of-the-art scientific and engineering equipment and instrumentation in environments that integrate research with education. The announcement issued today invites proposals from institutions of higher education, museums and science centers, and not-for-profit organizations. It encourages proposals for a broad range of projects, including developing and acquiring next-generation, shared instrumentation; using research instrumentation to promote the development of a diverse workforce; and leveraging the resources of private sector partners to build the research capacity at academic institutions.

The special MRI-Recovery and Reinvestment (MRI-R²) solicitation complements the annual call for MRI proposals completed in early 2009. Proposals submitted during that round are currently undergoing peer review.

Proposals for instrumentation submitted under the special solicitation will undergo NSF's normal merit review process, and will be considered for all NSF-supported fields of science, mathematics and engineering.

The MRI program is led by NSF's Office of Integrated Activities (OIA), which funds emerging, cross-disciplinary research and education centers and programs that enhance scientific discovery and workforce development. OIA's portfolio includes Science and Technology Centers and the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

Organizations interested in submitting proposals will have an opportunity to ask questions during an interactive webcast planned for later in May.

Additional information about the MRI-R² solicitation and webcast is available on the OIA MRI website at http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/programs/mri/. The deadline for solicitations is August 10, 2009.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Dana Topousis, National Science Foundation (703) 292-7750 dtopousi@nsf.gov

Program Contacts
Randy L. Phelps, National Science Foundation (703) 292-5049 rphelps@nsf.gov

Related Websites
Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI-R²) Recovery and Reinvestment: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf09561
Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI-R²) NSF Wide Programs: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5260
Major Research Instrumentation Program: http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/programs/mri/
NSF's Office of Integrative Activities: http://www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp?org=OIA
NSF Information Related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: http://www.nsf.gov/recovery/

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, its budget is $9.5 billion, which includes $3.0 billion provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 44,400 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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