National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation Program - Internal Pre-Proposal
The NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) awards grants for the acquisition or development of research instruments. It focuses on multi- user/shared instrumentation that often supports research needs across disciplinary boundaries. NSF limits the number of proposals an institution can submit each year; limited to 2 or 3 proposals, depending on the proposal track (see eligibility below).
When the university receives inquires exceeding the limited number of proposals that can be submitted, an internal pre-proposal process will be used to determine which projects can submit proposals on behalf of St. Cloud State. The internal pre-proposals will be reviewed and ranked by a group of subject matter experts, approved by Faculty Association, with demonstrated federal funding success. Pre-proposal will be evaluated on appropriateness to the goal of the program, probability for funding by NSF, reasonableness of budgetary requests, and impact of the request on the university and the academic units involved.
NOTE: any conflict-of-interest situations with internal pre-proposal review will be handled in accordance with University process.
Pre-Proposal Deadline: 11:45 p.m. Oct. 1, 2019
NSF Full Proposal Submission Window: Jan. 1–21, 2020
NOTE: Please review and check the NSF program solicitation about specific program requirements frequently, as solicitation is subject to change from the National Science Foundation with little to no notice.
Eligibility requirements
See NSF program solicitation 18-513 for institution eligibility requirements:
- Track 1: Proposals requesting from $100,000 to $1,000,000 (max. 2 submissions per institution)
- Track 2: Proposals requesting from $1,000,000 to $4,000,000 (max. 1 submission per institution)
NOTE: SCSU is also eligible to submit Track 1 proposals for less than $100,000 in disciplines of mathematics or social, behavioral and economic sciences; OR from non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education for all NSF-supported disciplines.
Submission instructions and requirements
Pre-Proposal Deadline: 11:45 p.m. Oct. 1, 2019
Step 1: Review the NSF MRI Program Solicitation 18-513 thoroughly
Step 2: Download and complete the SCSU NSF MRI Pre-Proposal (Narrative and Signature Page)
Step 3: Obtain signatures on the completed pre-proposal.
Step 4: Login to Huskies Connect and complete NSF MRI Pre-Proposal application and upload associated supporting documents:
- Reviewer comments from previous NSF MRI submission (if applicable)
- Completed Narrative and Signature Page
PI(s) will be notified of a decision regarding their pre-proposals by Nov. 1, 2019.
Budgetary guidelines
Eligible NSF MRI project costs are limited to:
- Cost of the instrument, commissioning, and calibration
- Direct and indirect costs of maintenance
- Appropriate technical support (including training) to operate the instrument during the award period
- Salary support, including fringe benefits and indirect costs, is considered an eligible cost only for personnel directly involved in maintaining the instrument or providing appropriate technical support to operate the instrument
- St. Cloud State is prohibited from including cost share
Award selection
Proposals will be evaluated by St. Cloud State administration for:
- Alignment with the Leverage Equipment requirements/synopsis defined by state legislation
- Alignment with St. Cloud State’s strategic goals and infrastructure priorities
- Impact of students’ development of skills in high demand occupations
- Eligibility and type of match secured (cash or in-kind)
- Sustainability plan for the equipment acquisition
Final funding decisions will be made by the Provost/Vice President Academic Affairs.