Major Research Instrumentation Program: (MRI)
The National Science Foundation funds the purchase or development of multi-user scientific and engineering instruments to expand access for research and training.
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Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: January 29, 2027 (Submission deadline) | November 19, 2027 (Submission deadline) | November 17, 2028 (Submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: $100,000–$4 million; acquisition up to three years, development up to five years; $50 million estimated program funding
Summary: Supports acquisition or development of shared-use scientific and engineering instruments for foundational research and instrument-operation training.
Key Information: Organizations must commit to operating and maintaining the instrument for a community of research users.
Description
NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program increases access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation that is generally too costly or inappropriate for support through other NSF programs. It funds vendor acquisition or upgrades of sophisticated instruments, or development of next-generation instruments with new capabilities. Integrated components may qualify as a single instrument. MRI also accepts requests solely for equipment to reduce helium consumption in existing shared-use research instrumentation.
The program encourages early-career researchers, emerging research institutions, and applicants across all geographic regions, including EPSCoR jurisdictions. It particularly welcomes instruments advancing national research and development priorities, including scientifically justified integration with SI-enabled workflows. Instruments must support foundational research predominantly in NSF-supported fields and be operational for shared use by the award’s end.
