NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)
An NSF program funding the acquisition or development of shared research instrumentation.
Official program page- Sponsor
- National Science Foundation
- Mechanism
- MRI
- Typical award
- Individual instruments generally between $100K and $4M; cost-sharing rules apply to many non-exempt institutions.
- Deadlines
- An annual window, with the competition's deadline announced in the current solicitation.
What it funds
- Acquisition of a single major instrument
- Development of a novel instrument
- Shared, multi-user research infrastructure
Who can apply
Institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and certain consortia. Each institution may submit a limited number of proposals per year.
Best for
A department or core facility that needs a major shared instrument.
Figures and deadlines change year to year: always confirm current details on the official program page before applying.
Related programs
All NSF opportunitiesNSF's most prestigious award for early-career faculty, integrating a research program with an education plan.
A DoD program that funds research instrumentation to support defense-relevant university research.
NSF's flagship fellowship supporting outstanding graduate students in STEM early in their studies.
Managing a NSF MRI proposal?
GrantsManager tracks the deadline, budget, and submission from first draft to award.