Research and Innovation Office

Extramural Coordinated Funding


UM Submission Instructions: Materials Innovation Platforms (MIP) 2025

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Award Title: Materials Innovation Platforms (MIP)
Amount: $18 Million to $30 Million
The proposed budget should be between $18,000,000 to $30,000,000 over a six-year period, must be commensurate with the project's scope, and thoroughly justified in the proposal. MIP funding is provided yearly. Pending the availability of funds, it is anticipated that $16,000,000 will be available in Fiscal Year 2026.
UM Deadline: 01/31/2025
Sponsor Deadline: 05/15/2025
Description: Materials Innovation Platforms (MIP) is a mid-scale infrastructure program in the Division of Materials Research (DMR) designed to accelerate advances in materials research. MIPs respond to the increasing complexity of materials research that requires close collaboration of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams and access to cutting edge tools.

The third MIP competition, in 2025, will accept proposals on alloys, amorphous, and composite materials.

Those interested in submitting a project for this limited submission review should follow the instructions below carefully and submit the materials to our office by 4PM Friday, January 31, 2025.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Competitive teams are expected to propose infrastructure and research that:
- Achieves goals of the Materials Genome Initiative Strategic Plan.
- Addresses opportunities identified in the Frontiers of Materials Research: A Decadal Survey that are still relevant.
- Embraces the approach described in Closing the Loop and is grounded in NSF's continued emphasis on use-inspired research and development.
- Both leverages artificial intelligence and advances its development and application in materials research. Strengthens both national economic competitiveness and national security.
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit: 1
Additional Requirements: None
Sponsor Guidelines: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mip-materials-innovation-platforms
UM Nominations Process: NOTE: NSF announced a webinar about the MIP program January 14th from 2:30-4:00 pm ET. Registration link and more information available here: MIP Webinar Link

1) LOI of 2 pages max, should cover the following areas:
a. High-level project description
b. Level of preparation- describe the steps taken to prepare for this opportunity:
-- Is there a team in place?
-- When did work start on this proposal?
-- Ability to have a plan in place by the deadline?
c. Transdisciplinary Approach - Explain how your transdisciplinary approach utilizes expertise in materials science, physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, mathematics, and/or computer science. Is there a convergence of ideas, approaches and technologies from diverse fields of knowledge that will stimulate innovation and discovery?
d. Explain how your project focuses on a grand challenge or challenges of fundamental research and aligns with national priorities (see RFP for details).

2) 2-3 names of possible reviewers (with no Conflicts of Interest) plus 5 keywords to be used as search terms for possible reviewers (can be added to Cover Page)
This will help us ensure we can be prepared with sufficient review panel members.

3) Provide an abbreviated CV for the lead PI.

4) Submit the LOI (step 1) + abbreviated CV (step 2 & 3) materials as a single pdf document to collabor@umn.edu no later than 4PM Friday, January 31, 2025

Any questions can be submitted to collabor@umn.edu.
Peer Review Coordination: Research and Innovation Office contact email
Status: The internal deadline has passed but no applicants were selected. Please contact the office coordinating the peer review for more information.
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 Robyn Kennedy.
Column Descriptions

  • Sponsor: redirects you to the sponsor's main website
  • Title/Guidelines: redirects you to sponsor specific information regarding the opportunity which may include description, eligibility, budget instructions, forms and other requirements
  • Amount: Maximum dollar amount awarded.
  • Add’l Req: Identifies special requirements such as cost sharing, partners, etc.
  • Sponsor Deadline: External deadline identified by the sponsor.
  • UM Submission Instructions: Contains specific internal submission requirements including internal proposal instructions, deadline, eligibility, internal nomination process, contact information.
  • # Apps: The maximum number of applications the sponsor will allow the university to submit.
  • UM Deadline: Submission deadline for internal proposal as determined by the coordinating office.
  • Status:
    • Open: UM deadline has not passed and the opportunity is open for application.
    • In Review: Peer review process is in progress for the opportunity.
    • PI Selected: The PI has been selected as the official UM nominee.
    • Closed: Sponsor deadline has passed and the opportunity is closed for application.
U of M Submission Instructions (Required)

This link includes summary sponsor information, specific instructions for internal submission and contact information for the university office coordinating the nomination process.

  • Follow the directions in the submission instructions and submit required materials by the UM deadline to the contact indicated.
  • Instructions vary according to the requirements of the sponsor and the university office coordinating the nomination process.
Registration (optional)

Registration is an optional but highly recommended feature. Perhaps you are looking for a wider audience for your proposal idea, or for potential collaborators to work with to create a stronger application. Registration allows applicants to share proposal ideas and post contact information.

Registration also provides information that helps the university office overseeing the nomination to determine the level of coordination needed and guide the review process.

To register (or view registrants), click on the UM Submission Instructions for a specific opportunity, then click on the Register Interest link.

Selection Process

  • Once the internal deadline has passed, the status will change to “In Review” and proposals will undergo review.
  • If there are multiple applicants, the office managing the nomination will determine the review criteria and coordinate the review process.
  • Once review has been completed all parties will be notified via email.
  • Nominees will be provided with a letter addressed to the sponsor from the RIO 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 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.

For questions, please contact RIO's Research Advancement group.