FOA-Mid-scale
Research Infrastructure-2 (Mid-scale RI-2); February 3, 2021
Agency
National
Science Foundation
Description
In
2016, the National Science Foundation (NSF) unveiled a set of “Big Ideas,” 10
bold, long-term research and process ideas that identify areas for future
investment at the frontiers of science and engineering (see https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/index.jsp).
The Big Ideas represent unique opportunities to position our Nation at the
cutting edge of global science and engineering leadership by bringing together
diverse disciplinary perspectives to support convergence research. As such, when
responding to this solicitation, even though proposals must be submitted to the
Office of Integrative Activities, once received, the proposals will be managed
by a cross-disciplinary team of NSF Program Directors.
NSF-supported
science and engineering research increasingly relies on cutting-edge
infrastructure. With its Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program and Major
Multi-user Research Facility projects (Major Facilities), NSF supports
infrastructure projects at the lower and higher ends of infrastructure scales
across science and engineering research disciplines. The Mid-scale Research
Infrastructure Big Idea is intended to provide NSF with an agile,
Foundation-wide process to fund experimental research capabilities in the
mid-scale range between the MRI and Major Facilities
thresholds.
NSF
defines Research Infrastructure (RI) as any combination of facilities,
equipment, instrumentation, or computational hardware or software, and the
necessary human capital in support of the same. Major facilities and mid-scale
projects are subsets of research infrastructure. The NSF Mid-scale Research
Infrastructure-2 Program (Mid-scale RI-2) supports the implementation of unique
and compelling RI projects. Mid-scale RI-2 projects may include any combination
of equipment, instrumentation, cyberinfrastructure, broadly used large-scale
data sets, and the commissioning and/or personnel needed to successfully
complete the project. Mid-scale RI-2 projects should fill a research
community-defined scientific need, or address an identified national research
priority, that enables current and next-generation U.S. researchers and a
diverse STEM workforce to remain competitive in a global research environment.
The total cost for Mid-scale RI-2 projects ranges from $20 million to below the
threshold for a Major Facilities Project, currently $100 million. Mid-scale
RI-2 projects will directly enable advances in any of the research domains
supported by NSF, including STEM education research. Projects may also include
upgrades to existing research infrastructure.
The
Mid-scale RI-2 Program emphasizes projects that have strong scientific merit,
respond to an identified need of the research community, demonstrate technical
and managerial readiness for implementation, include a well-developed plan for
student training in the design and implementation of mid-scale research
infrastructure, and involve a diverse workforce in mid-scale facility
development, and/or associated data management. Training of students in design
and implementation, not just in scientific exploitation of the infrastructure,
is essential.
Please
consult NSF 19-068 Major Facilities Guide (MFG) for definitions of terms used
in this solicitation, such as the Project Execution Plan (PEP). Section 5 of
the MFG provides guidance specific to Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure
Projects, including guidance on the PEP.
Mid-scale
RI-2 will consider only the implementation (typically construction or
acquisition) stage of a project, including a limited degree of final
development or necessary production design immediately preparatory to
implementation. It is thus intended that Mid-scale RI-2 will support projects
in high states of project and technical readiness for implementation, i.e.,
those that have already matured through previous developmental investments.
Accordingly, Mid-scale RI-2 does not support pre-implementation (early-stage
design or development) activities. Mid-scale RI-2 also does not support
post-implementation research, operations or maintenance, the anticipated
source(s) of which are expected to be discussed in the
proposal.
The
Mid-scale RI-2 Program seeks broad representation in its award portfolio, with
PIs from a broad geographic distribution of institutions (including EPSCoR jurisdictions), women, early-career researchers,
underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities. For the latter
group, Mid-scale RI-2 encourages PIs to consider Facilitation Awards for
Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) requests as part of a
Mid-scale RI proposal submission (see the current PAPPG). The total amount
requested, including the base Mid-scale RI-2 budget and the FASED request must
not exceed the Mid-scale RI-2 program’s budget limit.
It
is anticipated that future solicitations will be issued approximately
biennially.
Note:
Research infrastructure and instrumentation in the range just above the current
Major Research Instrumentation Program threshold and below the Mid-scale RI-2
threshold is the subject of the Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1
solicitation (NSF 21-505).
Announcement
Number:
NSF
21-537
Closing
Date:
Required
Letter of Intent Due: February 03, 2021
Required
Preliminary Proposal Due: March 05, 2021
Full
Proposal Deadline: September, 20, 2021
Link
to Full Announcement
https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21537/nsf21537.htm
Contact
Information
Brian
Midson
(703)
292-8145