Major Research Instrumentation Program
This program provides funding for U.S. colleges, non-profit research organizations, and their partnerships to acquire or develop expensive scientific instruments that enhance research capabilities and training in various fields.
The **Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program** by the National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to enhance access to shared scientific and engineering instruments critical for research and training. This program funds the acquisition or development of multi-user research instruments that are too costly for other NSF programs. It aims to build institutional research capacity, foster innovation, and support the development of next-generation instruments. Proposals fall into three tracks based on funding levels and focus: **Track 1** (requests between $100,000 and $1.4 million), **Track 2** (requests from $1.4 million up to $4 million), and **Track 3** (helium conservation/reduction equipment requests up to $4 million). Institutions may submit up to four proposals annually: two for Track 1, one for Track 2, and one for Track 3. Proposals are encouraged from underrepresented groups, emerging research institutions, and geographically underserved areas to broaden participation in STEM fields. The program allocates approximately $75 million annually, funding around 100 awards. Cost sharing requirements are waived for five years starting FY 2023, and voluntary cost sharing is prohibited. Funded projects must result in operational instruments by the end of the grant period. Acquisition projects typically span three years, while development and helium-related projects may take up to five years. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based higher education institutions, non-profit research organizations, and consortia involving these entities. For-profit entities may participate as subawardees but cannot apply directly. Proposals must detail the technical and scientific rationale, broader impacts, management plans, and the operational commitment for the proposed instrumentation. Institutions must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in their proposals. Proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov during specified submission windows, typically between October and November annually. Proposals undergo a rigorous merit review process based on NSF’s Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria, alongside specific requirements for this program. Proposals should also address collaboration plans and provide relevant vendor quotes, management strategies, and supplementary documentation. The MRI program aims to advance scientific and engineering research frontiers, including fostering U.S. leadership in microelectronics and helium conservation. By investing in cutting-edge instrumentation, the program also promotes research training for students and builds long-term institutional research capacity.
Award Range
$100,000 - $4,000,000
Total Program Funding
$75,000,000
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: - Organizations thatmay apply for the MRI program: Submission Eligibility Proposals may only be submitted by organizations located in the United States, its territories or possessions, as follows. (Campuses or organizations that plan to submit a proposal through the sponsored projects office (SPO) of other campuses or organizations should contact NSF to discuss eligibility as early as possible and at least six weeks before submitting such a proposal.) <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>To facilitate access to unique instrumentation for a broad user base of U.S. scientists and engineers, and to encourage collaboration and sharing of state-of-the-art instrumentation, the MRI program accepts proposals from consortia of organizations. Consortium proposals may be submitted as follows:</li> </ol> <p style="padding-left: 60px;">3a. Legally incorporated, not-for-profit consortia that include two or more submission-eligible organizations as described in items (1) and (2) above may submit proposals on behalf of the consortium. The cover sheet must clearly indicate the consortium nature of the proposal in the title. 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 have 501(c)(3) status. <p style="padding-left: 60px;">3b. Submission-eligible organizations as described in items (1) and (2) above may submit, as part of their limit, proposals on behalf of consortia. The cover sheet of such a proposal must a) clearly indicate the consortium nature of the proposal in the title, and b) it must identify both a PI and co-PI(s) from at least two MRI submission-eligible organizations (items 1 and/or 2 above) as lead investigators in the consortium. These consortium proposals may also include as partners other U.S. organizations that are not eligible to submit MRI proposals. For-profit commercial organizations, especially U.S. small businesses with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education, are eligible for instrument development support through subawards/subcontracts as private sector partners with submitting organizations; they may not submit proposals. Such partnerships must be substantive and meaningful, and build capacity for instrument development within MRI submission-eligible organization(s). Title to the resulting instrument should be retained by the MRI-eligible performing organization(s). Prospective PIs may contact the cognizant MRI program officer regarding organizational eligibility, and for information on other NSF funding opportunities for instrumentation; see also Section IX for a list of related NSF programs for research instrumentation. Organization Categories All MRI-eligible organizations belong to one of the following three categories: <ol> <li>Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education are accredited colleges and
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
October 15, 2025
Application Closes
November 14, 2025
Grantor
National Science Foundation (NSF)
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