NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program

FAS/SEAS Pre-Proposal Deadline: September 15, 2021

Award Amount: Up to $4,000,000. Cost sharing of 30% of the total project costs is required.

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program 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 or development of a multi-user research instrument that is, 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 develop next-generation research instruments 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.

This is a limited submission opportunity and Harvard may submit up to three proposals in the “tracks” as defined below, with no more than two submissions in Track 1 and no more than one submission in Track 2.

• Track 1: Proposals requesting funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than $1,000,000. Proposals that request funds from NSF less than $100,000 may also be accepted for the disciplines of mathematics or social, behavioral and economic sciences.
• Track 2: Proposals requesting funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,000,000 up to and including $4,000,000.

To be considered for one of the three Harvard nominations, potential applicants from FAS and SEAS must first submit a pre-proposal online using the link above no later than September 15, 2021.

Questions about this opportunity and the internal selection process may be directed to Erin Hale (erin_hale@fas.harvard.edu) or Susan Gomes (sgomes@fas.harvard.edu).