/Office for Research and Innovation
Proposal Development

NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Update

NSF has released a new Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) solicitation, eliminating institutional submission limits. The Office for Research and Innovation (OR&I) is evaluating how many proposals the University will support during this cycle.

To inform these decisions, OR&I will continue the internal peer review process announced in September, for which applications have now closed. This process considers scientific merit, institutional priorities, and the commitment required for the long term operation and mainteance of the proposed equipment. The outcomes of this process will help inform institutional decisions regarding the required letters of commitment for proposal submissions. This review will address potential overlap among submissions and support the development of strong, coordinated proposals that meet shared instrumentation needs and serve a broad research community. For each selected proposal, the resulting plans and commitments will be documented in an Instrument Installation and Management Agreement (IMA). The IMA will inform the institutional letter of support to NSF, which will confirm the University's commitment to operate and maintain the equipment throughout its useful life.

Questions about this process may be directed to OPD_OVPR@stonybrook.edu.

 

NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)

NSF MRI PORTAL

All applications for this internal competition must be submitted via InfoReady. You can sign in using your Net-ID and your @stonybrook.edu email address. Please allow sufficient time to familiarize yourself with the portal prior to submitting your pre-application. Pre-application requirements are listed in the announcement below.

The Office for Research and Innovation invites applications to the NSF's Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI). The MRI program serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training.  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.

Please see below for details. If you are interested in applying as a lead or as a subawardee on another institution’s application, you must submit a pre-application via the MRI Portal in InfoReady by Monday, October 19, 2026 at 9 am. Pre-applications for internal review and selection must be uploaded to the portal as a single PDF document.

KEYWORDS: Instrumentation

WHAT DOES IT FUND: Proposal submissions may be either for acquisition or development of a research instrument. NSF strongly encourages MRI proposals that seek to develop next-generation research instruments that open new frontiers of research.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS: No restrictions. MRI encourages proposals from early-career researchers and those working in research areas aligned with agency and administration priorities. 

AWARD: $100k-$4M, except for proposals in mathematics, which must be under $100k. Average award size and duration are subject to availability of funds. Acquisition projects are expected to be funded for up to three years and development projects for up to five years. Proposals requesting over $1.4M should address the potential impact of the instrument on the research community of interest at the regional or national level, including concrete plans for enabling access by external users.

COST SHARE: Not required. Proposals should only be submitted by organizations that are willing to undertake the responsibility of maintaining and operating the instrument for the benefit of a community of users engaged in research and training in the operation of the proposed instrument. 

SPONSOR DEADLINE: January 29, 2027

 

A complete pre-application should include the following:
  • Application Title
  • Project Description (no more than 3 pages) that includes:
    • A description of the research instrument and why it is needed; 
    • The research activities that will be enabled by the acquisition or development of the instrument; 
    • Broader impacts, including the impact on research and training infrastructure; and 
    • The management plan for maintenance and operation of the instrument. **Please note: reviewers will be looking for a sustainable management plan that will ensure operation of the instrument for at least 5-years.**
  • Budget and Budget Justification (no more than one page)
  • Installation Location and Space Readiness Statement (no more than one page) that identifies the proposed building and room, indicates whether the unit responsible for the space has approved its use, and briefly describes any known renovations, utility upgrades, or environmental requirements that must be addressed before installation.
  • Major Users (one page per user) which includes their department/institution, a one-paragraph description of each user's involvement, and a list of their relevant research grants.