Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1
This program provides funding for U.S. colleges, non-profits, and research consortia to develop or enhance critical research infrastructure projects that advance science and engineering.
The Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 (Mid-scale RI-1) Program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to support the implementation or design of mid-scale research infrastructure projects critical to advancing U.S. science and engineering. The NSF, established by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, is an independent federal agency that promotes scientific progress by funding research and education across diverse scientific disciplines. With this program, NSF seeks to address infrastructure needs not covered by its Major Research Instrumentation or Major Multi-user Facilities programs, by filling the funding gap between these initiatives. Mid-scale RI-1 supports two project categories: "Implementation Projects" ranging from $4 million to just under $20 million, and "Design Activities" that can request between $400,000 and just under $20 million. Design projects prepare for future implementation efforts, while implementation projects focus on building or upgrading infrastructure. The program is designed to enable advances in NSF-supported research areas, foster diverse workforce development, and promote equitable access to research infrastructure. It encourages broad participation, especially from underrepresented groups and institutions, and prioritizes projects with national relevance and transformative potential. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S.-based institutions of higher education, not-for-profit organizations, and consortia involving such entities. For-profit entities may participate only as sub-awardees. The program encourages geographically diverse participation, including institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions. Individual investigators may only serve as PI or co-PI on one proposal per cycle, though they may participate in multiple proposals as senior personnel. Applications are submitted in two phases: a preliminary proposal followed by a full proposal upon invitation. Preliminary proposals are mandatory and must follow a prescribed format including a project description, budget, and supplementary documentation. Full proposals, due only if invited, require more detailed plans, including a Project or Design Execution Plan (PEP/DEP), budget justifications, and environmental compliance documentation. Full proposals are reviewed for technical merit, broader impacts, management capacity, and cost estimates. The first full proposal deadline in the current cycle is June 5, 2025, with the program expected to recur biennially. Total anticipated funding for the FY 2025/26 and FY 2027/28 cycles is $100 million per round. Five to ten awards are expected per competition, based on proposal quality and available funds. Projects should be ready for operation by the end of the award period, and NSF does not provide post-implementation operation or maintenance funding through this solicitation. Adherence to the Build America, Buy America Act is mandatory unless waivers are granted. Applicants must submit proposals through Research.gov or Grants.gov, following the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. Questions should be directed to the program contacts: Randy L. Phelps at rphelps@nsf.gov, (703) 292-5049, or Jonathan Friedman at jfriedma@nsf.gov, (703) 292-7475. Further program details and updates are available on the NSF Mid-scale RI-1 program page.
Award Range
$4,000,000 - $19,999,999
Total Program Funding
$100,000,000
Number of Awards
10
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
Implementation projects range from $4M to under $20M; Design activities from $400K to under $20M. No post-implementation O&M funding. Awards can span up to 5 years.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: - Proposals may only be submitted by organizations located in the United States, its territories, or possessions, as follows. <ol> <li>Institutions of higher education (Ph.D.-granting and non-Ph.D.-granting), acting on behalf of their faculty members, that are accredited in and have their main campus in the United States, its territories, or possessions. Distinct academic campuses (e.g., that award their own degrees, have independent administrative structures, admissions policies, alumni associations, etc.) within multi-campus systems qualify as separate submission-eligible institutions.</li> <li>Not-for-profit, non-degree-granting domestic U.S. organizations, acting on behalf of their employees, for example (but not limited to) independent museums and science centers, observatories, research laboratories and similar organizations that are directly associated with the Nation's research activities. These organizations must have an independent, permanent administrative organization (e.g., a sponsored projects office) located in the United States, its territories, or possessions, and have 501(c)(3) tax status.</li> <li>Consortia as follows:</li> </ol> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">a) A legally incorporated, not-for-profit consortium that includes two or more submission-eligible organizations as described in items (1) and (2) above. Such a consortium is one with an independent administrative structure (e.g., a sponsored projects office) located in the United States, its territories, or possessions and has 501(c)(3) status. <p style="padding-left: 30px;">b) Submission-eligible organizations as described in items (1) and (2) above, on behalf of an informal consortium. The Cover Sheet of such a proposal must identify both a PI and co-PI(s) from at least two Mid-scale RI-1 submission-eligible organizations (items 1 and/or 2 above) as lead investigators in the consortium. These consortium proposals may also include as partners, via subawards,other U.S. and non-U.S. organizations that are not eligible to submit Mid-scale RI-1 proposals. <p style="padding-left: 30px;">In either case, the proposal title should indicate that a consortium is proposing. <p class="Default">For-profit commercial organizations, especially U.S. small businesses with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education, are eligible for infrastructure support through subawards/subcontracts as private sector partners with submitting organizations; they may not submit proposals in response to this solicitation. Such partnerships must be substantive and meaningful and build capacity for infrastructure development withinMid-scale RI-1 submission-eligible organization(s). In addition, the value added by the for-profit commercial organization should be justified as a unique contribution that is otherwise unavailable within organizations described in (1) and (2). Unless otherwise specified in the award, title to the resulting infrastructure should be retained by the Mid-scale RI-1-eligible performing organization. Prospective PIs may contact cognizantMid-scale RI-1 program officers regarding organizational eligibility, and for information on other NSF funding opportunities for instrumentation and research infrastructure. <p class="Default">Additionally: <ul> <li>Proposals that augment MREFC projects: The Mid-scale RI-1 program will not accept proposals for an instrument or other infrastructure that augments an ongoing NSF Major Multi-user Facility or Mid-scale RI-2 project in the construction stage, since the scope of those projects is already defined. A list of Major Facilities projects is available at <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/lfo/docs/major-facilities-list.pdf">https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/lfo/docs/major-facilities-list.pdf</a> and the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=109Y00&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanR
Geographic Eligibility
All
Strong project management and well-documented cost estimates are critical. Proposals must comply with Build America, Buy America requirements and demonstrate plans for O&M.
Next Deadline
September 1, 2026
Preliminary Proposal
Application Opens
August 20, 2024
Application Closes
February 8, 2027
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