Extramural Coordinated Funding

UM Submission Instructions: Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) 2024

Sponsor:	National Science Foundation (NSF),National Science Foundation (NSF),National Science Foundation (NSF)
Award Title:	Major Research Instrumentation (MRI)
Amount:	$4M Track 1 MRI proposals can request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than $1,400,000. Track 2 MRI proposals can request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000. Track 3 MRI proposals can request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than or equal to $4,000,000 for requests that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to reduce consumption of helium.
UM Deadline:	08/05/2024
Sponsor Deadline:	11/15/2024
Description:	Four proposals are allowed from UMN, two from Track 1, one from Track 2, and one from Track 3. 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.
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit:	4
Additional Requirements:	None
Sponsor Guidelines:	https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/major-research-instrumentation-program-mri/nsf23-519/solicitation
UM Nominations Process:	Those interested in applying should send the following items as a single pdf document to collabor@umn.edu no later than 4pm on 8/5: 1. Cover page including PI name, department; contact information; title of program, amount requested (identify if Track 1, 2 or 3); and abstract (1 paragraph). 2. Biosketch of PI (NSF format) 3. Project description of the proposed instrumentation, the type of research/research training conducted, the activity that would result if NSF funds the project, and if it supports and/or enhances existing instrumentation. (2-3 pages total, an additional page may be included for citations) 4. One extra page may be included for figures, photographs or letters of collaboration 5. Proposals may include manufacturers’ quotes but they are not required. Questions can be sent to collabor@umn.edu.
Peer Review Coordination:	Research and Innovation Office contact email
Status:	No longer accepting applications.
Please note:	To be considered for peer review and internal selection, faculty must follow the above submission guidelines and meet the UM deadline as set by the office coordinating the peer review for this opportunity.

General Information

Each posting has information about the external sponsor and opportunity as well as the internal application instructions.
Opportunities can be sorted by column headings; just click on the heading to re-sort by that column.
When a link redirects you to another site, it opens in a new browser window.
If you know of an opportunity that is not on the list, please contact Kristin Mead.

Internal Requirements

Sponsor: Name of funder.
Award Title: Funding opportunity nameAmount: Range/Maximum dollar amount awarded.
UMN Deadline: Submission deadline for internal proposal as determined by the coordinating office.
Sponsor Deadline: External deadline identified by the sponsor.
Description: General information about the sponsor and the funding opportunity. Usually describes the purpose of the funding opportunity, overview of what the sponsor is looking for, including distinctive criteria. This is not meant to take the place of the sponsor guidelines; please read the sponsor guidelines before deciding to apply.
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to Submit: The maximum number of applications the sponsor will allow the university to submit.
Additional Requirements: Identifies any special requirements such as cost sharing, partners, etc.
Sponsor Guidelines: Link to the sponsor’s funding opportunity website.
UMN Nominations Process: Contains specific internal submission requirements including internal proposal instructions, deadline, eligibility, internal nomination process, contact information.
Peer Review Coordination: The name and contact email of the office coordinating the funding opportunity. RIO coordinates most limited submissions, but opportunities coordinated by other offices or programs are also posted on this webpage.
Status:
- Open: UM deadline has not passed and the opportunity is open for application.
- Forecasted: The funder has not yet formally published the opportunity. The deadline has yet to be determined.
- Archived: The opportunity has been archived by the funder.
- Spots Remaining: UMN deadline has passed, with some applicant spots still available. Contact collabor@umn.edu if interested
- First-Come, First-Served: Applicants accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact collabor@umn.edu if interested
- Contact Us: The internal deadline has passed, but no applicants were selected. Please contact the office coordinating the peer review for more information.
- In Review: Peer review process is in progress for the opportunity.
- PI Selected: The PI(s) have been selected as the official UMN nominees.
- Closed: UMN is no longer accepting applications.

UMN Selection Process

Once the internal deadline has passed, if the number of applicants is less than or equal to the number of spots the university is allowed to send forward, the applicants automatically become the UMN nominee(s).
If the status of an opportunity is "First-Come, First-Served", there was not time to hold an internal review. Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
If there are no applicants, the status will change to "Contact Us". At this point, the opportunity changes to a first-come, first-served opportunity.
If there are multiple applicants, the office coordinating the nomination will determine the review criteria and coordinate the review process. The status will change to "In Review".
Once the review has been completed all parties will be notified via email.
Nominees will be provided with an email from RIO (or the designated coordinating office) indicating that they are the university's nominee. This letter should accompany the nominee's proposal.
SPA is notified of the university's nominee(s) and the status is updated to "PI(s) Selected".

*If you have questions about the University's process related to extramural funding opportunities requiring nomination or if you have any technical issues with the site, contact collabor8@umn.edu.