Advancement & StrategyFinding Internal and External FundingLimited SubmissionsNSF Major Research Instrumentation ProgramNSF – MRI Application

NSF – MRI Application

Application Requirements

Your internal application for the National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation program can be submitted using the form below. Please review the following required application elements.

Note that the word limits listed here and in the application form are intended to encourage brevity and should not be interpreted as requirements.

Proposal Title
NSF-MRI Track
Letter of approval from your college’s associate dean for research.
Project Summary
- In terms that can be understood by a non-specialist, provide a brief summary of the proposed instrumentation project, describing the purpose and essential elements of the creative/original/potential transformative activity(ies), including well-defined success measures. Word limit: 300.
Instrument Justification (Acquisition Proposals)
- Clearly explain why this particular instrument is needed. That is, what is the existence and availability of comparable instruments (e.g., at organizations in close geographical proximity, or otherwise accessible through collaborations or cyberinfrastructure)? Word limit: 300.
Instrument Justification (Development Proposals)
- Briefly explain the appropriateness of this submission as a development proposal. Describe significant new capabilities not yet available in a vendor-provided instrument and verify that the end-result will be a shared-use instrument with a design not currently available/published. Word limit: 300.
Development Expertise (Development Proposals)
- Briefly explain to what extent the development effort requires/benefits from a team of scientists/engineers/technicians and explain their availability for this project. If students will be involved, describe such involvement in terms of instrument needs and training for next generation instrumentalists. Word limit: 300.
Instrument Capabilities and Use
- Describe the proposed instrument to be acquired or developed. Briefly explain what research/training activities will be enabled through use of the equipment and the extent of its shared use. If students will be users, describe their involvement in terms of instrument needs and training for next generation researchers/developers. Word limit: 500.
- Letters from faculty who will be substantive users of the instrument may be attached. These letters are encouraged for full NSF proposals and the specific letter format can be found in the NSF 23-519 solicitation.
Instrument Broader Impacts
- Describe how the proposed instrument will advance knowledge and understanding in the proposed field or across different fields and how it will substantially improve WSU’s capabilities to conduct leading-edge research, provide research/instrumentation development experience for undergraduate students, and broaden the participation of science & engineering research by women and underrepresented minorities. Word limit: 300.
Instrument Management and Maintenance Plan
- Provide a preliminary management plan detailing the availability of sufficient infrastructure and technical expertise to allow effective usage and maintenance of the instrument over its lifetime. Word limit: 300.
Budget and Budget Justification
- You will be required to provide an estimate of costs and specific budget justification for each of the following expense categories:
  - Salaries
  - Wages
  - Fringe Benefits
  - Supplies/Services
  - Travel
  - Equipment
  - Sub-Award(s)
  - Other Direct Costs
  - F&A/Overhead/Indirect Costs

Internal Application Form

Step 1 of 4

Name*

First Last

Email*

Rank/Title*

Department, School, or Program*

College*

Campus*

Proposal Title*

Associate Dean for Research Letter of Support*

Attach, as a PDF, a letter of approval for this project from your college's associate dean for research.

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 146 MB.

What Track are you applying for?*

Track 1: funds requested from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than $1,400,000

Track 2: funds requested from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000

Track 3: funds proposal requests that include the acquisition, development, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to reduce consumption of helium.

Is this a re-submission?*

Yes

Explain how the new submission addresses previous reviewers' concerns and any contact with the program officer.*

Project Summary*

In terms that can be understood by a non-specialist, provide a brief summary of the proposed instrumentation project, describing the purpose and essential elements of the creative/original/potential transformative activity(ies), including well-defined success measures. Word limit: 300.

Proposal Type*

Acquisition

Development

Instrument Justification*

Clearly explain why this particular instrument is needed. That is, what is the existence and availability of comparable instruments (e.g., at organizations in close geographical proximity, or otherwise accessible through collaborations or cyberinfrastructure)? Word limit: 300.

Instrument Justification*

Briefly explain the appropriateness of this submission as a development proposal. Describe significant new capabilities not yet available in a vendor-provided instrument and verify that the end-result will be a shared-use instrument with a design not currently available/published. Word limit: 300.

Development Expertise*

Briefly explain to what extent the development effort requires/benefits from a team of scientists/engineers/technicians and explain their availability for this project. If students will be involved, describe such involvement in terms of instrument needs and training for next generation instrumentalists. Word limit: 300.

Instrument Capabilities and Use*

Describe the proposed instrument to be acquired/developed. Briefly explain what research/training activities will be enabled through use of the equipment and the extent of its shared use. If students will be users, describe their involvement in terms of instrument needs and training for next generation researchers/developers. Word limit: 500.
Letters from faculty who will be substantive users of the instrument may be attached. These letters are encouraged for full NSF proposals and the specific letter format can be found in the NSF 23-519 solicitation.

Instrument Capabilities and Use: Letter(s) of Support

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 146 MB.

Instrument Broader Impacts*

Describe how the proposed instrument will advance knowledge and understanding in the proposed field or across different fields and how it will substantially improve WSU's capabilities to conduct leading-edge research, provide research/instrumentation development experience for undergraduate students, and broaden the participation of science & engineering research by women and underrepresented minorities. Word limit: 300.

Instrument Management and Maintenance Plan*

Provide a preliminary management plan detailing the availability of sufficient infrastructure and technical expertise to allow effective usage and maintenance of the instrument over its lifetime. Word limit: 300.

Budget

Provide an estimate of costs and a justification in specific terms for each expense category.

Salaries

Justification of Salaries

Wages

Justification of Wages

Fringe Benefits

Justification of Fringe Benefits

Supplies/Services

Justification of Supplies/Services

Travel

Justification of Travel

Equipment

Justification of Equipment

Sub-Awards(s)

Justification of Sub Award(s)

Other Direct Costs

Justification of Other Direct Costs

F&A/Overhead/Indirect Costs

Justification of F&A/Overhead/Indirect Costs

Total Project Cost*