NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)

NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program, or MRI, sits under the National Science Foundation, the U.S. federal science agency established in 1950. It funds the acquisition or development of multi-user research instruments for U.S. universities and not-for-profit scientific and engineering research organizations, making it one of NSF's main routes for shared research infrastructure. The current solicitation is NSF 23-519. MRI supports three tracks: Track 1 from $100,000 to $1.399 million with up to two submissions per institution, Track 2 from $1.4 million to $4 million with one submission per institution, and Track 3 from $100,000 to $4 million for helium conservation equipment with one submission per institution. Cost-sharing requirements are waived through FY2027, and the program currently has no upcoming due dates while NSF waits for the next solicitation. Successful MRI proposals make a strong case for shared use, technical need, and institutional readiness. The instrument has to matter to more than one laboratory, and the project needs a credible operations plan that can support broad access after award. Because the program is between cycles, institutions that depend on MRI usually do best when they build the user base, service model, and technical justification before the next solicitation opens.

No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Annual.