(CLOSED) NSF 23-519 - Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI): Track 3 - Helium Conservation

THE NSF has published a new solicitation to replace NSF 18-513. Major changes in the new solicitation involved changes to deadlines, the elimination of the mandatory cost share and the addition of a new Track 3 that requests proposals that include the acquisition, development, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to reduce consumption of helium.

As there have not been significant changes to the descriptions of Track 1 and Track 2, OSVPR will honor the down-selected proposals nominated in October for the February 2023 NSF deadline and are NOT inviting internal proposals in these tracks in this NOI. A full limited submission process for all three tracks will be posted in Spring 2023 to make selections for submission to NSF at the November 2023 Deadline

If you intend to submit a proposal to the new Track 3 for the NSF FEBRUARY deadline you MUST respond to this notice of intent by Thursday, December 8.

Important Solicitation Revision Notes:

• The maximum funding a proposal can request from NSF remains $4 million. Since voluntary cost sharing is not permitted, the maximum total project cost of proposed new projects is also $4 million.
• "Track 1" has been revised to include proposals that request funds from NSF greater than $100,000¹ and less than $1,400,000. "Track 2" has been revised to include proposals that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000.
• A new track has been added ("Track 3") to incorporate opportunities, consistent with section 10373 of the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022" (42 U.S.C. 19083), for proposal requests that include the acquisition, development, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to reduce consumption of helium.
• NSF Deadlines have been moved to mid-November through the expiration of the solicitation in 2026

Synopsis of Program:

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI Program Website) 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 of a multi-user research instrument that is commercially available through direct purchase from a vendor, or for the personnel costs and equipment that are required for the development of an instrument with new capabilities, thereby advancing instrumentation capabilities and enhancing expertise for instrument design and fabrication at academic institutions. MRI instruments are, 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 obtain next-generation research instruments by developing instruments with new capabilities 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.

An MRI proposal may request from NSF up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Each performing organization may submit in revised "Tracks" as defined below, with no more than two (2) submissions in Track 1 and no more than one (1) submission in Track 2. For the newly defined Track 3, no more than one (1) submission per competition is permitted. As a result, it is now possible for an institution to submit up to four MRI proposals within the Track limits as described above.

• Track 1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than $100,000¹ and less than $1,400,000.
• Track 2: Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000.
• Track 3: Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000¹ and less than or equal to $4,000,000 that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of helium. Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals. Consistent with the goals of the MRI Program, support for such requests will be limited to equipment and instrumentation that serve shared-use research instrumentation.

Cost sharing requirements for new awards in the MRI Program are waived for a period of 5 years beginning with the FY 2023 MRI competition. Institutional submission limits for Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 proposals remain.

The MRI Program especially seeks broad representation of PIs in its award portfolio, including women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities. Since demographic diversity may be greater among early-career researchers the MRI program also encourages proposals with early-career PIs and proposals that benefit early-career researchers