Funding-Limited Submission - NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (NSF 11-503); October 1, 2012

The Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) serves to increase access to shared scientific and engineering instruments for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education, museums, science centers, and not-for-profit organizations. This program especially seeks to improve the quality and expand the scope of research and research training in science and engineering by providing shared instrumentation that fosters the integration of research and education in research-intensive learning environments. Development and acquisition of research instrumentation for shared inter- and/or intra-organizational use are encouraged, as are development efforts that leverage the strengths of private sector partners to build instrument development capacity at academic institutions.

The MRI program assists with the acquisition or development of shared research instrumentation that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. Instruments are expected to be operational for regular research use by the end of the award period. Proposals must be for either acquisition or development of a single instrument or for equipment that, when combined, serves as an integrated research instrument (physical or virtual). The MRI program does not support the acquisition or development of a suite of instruments to outfit research laboratories/facilities or to conduct independent research activities simultaneously. Additional guidance can be found in the MRI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11011/nsf11011.jsp

Instrument acquisition or development proposals that request funds from NSF in the range $100,000 - $4 million will be accepted from all eligible organizations. Proposals that request funds from NSF less than $100,000 will also be accepted for the disciplines of mathematics or social, behavioral and economic sciences.

Cost Sharing: Cost-sharing at the level of 30% of the total project cost is required for Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education. The Vice President for Research supports applications to the NSF MRI program and will provide part of the required 30% match and the institutional letter documenting it.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: Three (3)   If three proposals are submitted, at least one of them must be for instrument development (i.e., no more than two proposals may be for instrument acquisition).  Note that if UK is included as a 20% or greater subawardee on another institution’s development project, then that project will also count as one of UK’s allowable proposals, so a proposal must be submitted in this competition for that project.

See the full program solicitation for more information: http://nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11503/nsf11503.htm

Internal Competition: Because NSF limits the number of proposals an organization may submit, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a MRI proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday October 1, 2012:

1. Instrument type and specify if the proposal is for Instrument Acquisition or Instrument Development; If it is for Instrument Development with another institution as the prime, specify the anticipated percentage of UK’s subcontract.

2. PI name and department and names and departments of other researchers involved;

3. Short description (2 page maximum) of the research/research training to be enabled with the instrument and the importance of the equipment to that activity;

4. Letter of commitment from the College Dean indicating the specific amount of funds he or she will contribute;

5. A budget – itemize total instrument cost, anticipated recurring costs (such as maintenance, operating cost and technical support for the life of the equipment), anticipated renovation costs for site if appropriate, and cost-sharing from all sources. Include in the budget justification a description of the match required. The priority for institutional cost-sharing will be to supply operations funds for personnel, supplies, or other eligible support costs, which must be directly allocable to the instrument and be expended during the award period. Matches are welcome from other sources, such as personnel time.

Priority will be given to proposals for multi-user instruments in areas of institutional research priority with a clear plan for extended maintenance and usage and to those that intend to place such instruments in supported core facilities operating as recharge centers.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.) A committee will be convened to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s submissions. All applicants will be notified in time to submit the proposal by the NSF deadline - fourth Thursday in January (January 24, 2013).