Research Guidance during COVID-19

2020 - NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)

Limited Submission Funding Opportunity for Texas A&M Faculty and PIs

National Science Foundation

Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2018/nsf18513/nsf18513.htm

 

Limited Submission Program (LSP): This funding opportunity and the Limited Submission Program (LSP) is open to all Texas A&M University faculty and principal investigators who meet the eligibility requirements. Texas A&M and The Texas A&M University System agencies jointly administer this process to select the proposal(s) that will be submitted to the sponsor in response to this solicitation.

 

*NOTE*

For internal selection of instrument acquisition proposals, preference will be given for instruments that will be placed in core facilities and/or have a broad interdisciplinary user base.

 

PI Eligibility:  There are no restrictions or limits.

 

The MRI Program especially seeks broad representation of PIs in its award portfolio, including women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities. Since demographic diversity may be greater among early-career researchers the MRI program also encourages proposals with early-career PIs and proposals that benefit early-career researchers.

 

The proposal will be prepared and submitted by Sponsored Research Services (SRS).

 

Proposal Limit: Each organization is limited to a maximum of three proposals in revised “Tracks” as defined below, with no more than two submissions in Track 1 and no more than one submission in Track 2.

 

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 $100,000 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.

 

Consistent with the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-69), cost sharing of precisely 30% of the total project cost is required for Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education and for non-degree-granting organizations. Non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education are exempt from the cost-sharing requirement and cannot include it. National Science Board policy prohibits voluntary committed cost sharing.

 

Please see the solicitation text for organizational definitions used by the MRI program.

 

The MRI Program especially seeks broad representation of PIs in its award portfolio, including women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities. Since demographic diversity may be greater among early-career researchers the MRI program also encourages proposals with early-career PIs and proposals that benefit early-career researchers.

 

Dates:

October 8, 2019
Deadline for an email of intent including the title of the internal proposal and a one to three sentence description of the project.  Send email of intent to limitedsubmissions@tamu.edu
October 15, 2019
Deadline to submit an internal proposal.All proposals for the LSP must be submitted electronically using the e-proposal on-line application system.Be prepared to upload your internal proposal. The sections will include a research plan summary (3 pages max not including references), two-page bio-sketch (per PI), and preliminary budget.The e-proposal site is password protected. Texas A&M principal investigators may use their NetID and password to access the system. If you do not have a NetID, click HERE for help to activate your NetID. You will need your UIN and your date of birth.  Once you log-in to e-proposal, choose “Limited Submission Grant” from the Available Grants section.

If you have any questions, please contact:shelly.martin@tamu.edu  or 979.862.2233.
November 1, 2019
Target date for the notifications to PIs of the result of the internal competition.
January 19, 2020
Sponsor deadline for the full proposal.

Internal Selection Procedures:

Texas A&M has established a procedure to identify limited submission opportunities and internally select proposals for Texas A&M submissions.  Please contact us if you have any questions about the limited submission process.