[Beckman Foundation](https://www.beckman-foundation.org)

November 2026 (Full proposal deadline, projected)

Up to $1 million per team over 3 years; no overhead/indirect costs permitted.

Funds development of portable, advanced mass spectrometry instruments for atmospheric monitoring, with strong emphasis on undergraduate participation and real-world applications.

--- ## Description This program supports interdisciplinary teams to design and prototype innovative, lightweight, and portable mass spectrometry instruments for atmospheric monitoring. The goal is to enable long-term, real-time analysis of atmospheric chemical composition using instruments that are inexpensive, easy to operate, and suitable for deployment on airborne platforms, ground-based stations, or by citizen scientists. The initiative places a strong emphasis on the involvement and training of undergraduate students throughout the instrument development process, aiming to foster the next generation of inventors and innovators in the field. Proposals must address a clear use case, present an initial design concept, justify performance parameters, analyze costs, and outline a detailed three-year development and technology transfer plan. --- ## Due Dates - November 2026 (anticipated full proposal deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Up to $1,000,000 per selected team, distributed over three years. - Funds may be used flexibly for materials, prototyping, consumables, undergraduate and other personnel support, industry collaboration, and training. - No overhead or indirect costs are permitted. - Applicant institutions must demonstrate commitment to provide additional funding if necessary to complete project objectives. --- ## Eligibility - Lead Institution must be a nonprofit US university or research institution (including Primarily Undergraduate Institutions). - Proposals may be submitted by individual institutions or consortia (with a designated Lead Institution). - Teams must include meaningful undergraduate participation in the research and development process. - Multiple proposals from the same institution are allowed if led by different PIs and teams, with institutional support for each. - Industrial partners are encouraged (required in later project stages but not at proposal). --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted via the [Beckman Foundation online portal](https://beckman-foundation.smapply.io/). - Required materials include: - A clear use case and justification for selected performance parameters. - Initial instrument design and cost analysis. - Detailed three-year development plan (including prototyping, testing, and refinement). - Undergraduate training plan and strategy for broader application/technology transfer. - Annual progress and commercialization/technology transfer reports required if funded. - One faculty member or senior research scientist must serve as Program Lead; collaborators can be added to the portal account. --- ## Additional Information - Proposals must involve the development of a mass spectrometry instrument (other technologies may be included as part of a system but are not sufficient alone). - Instruments may target either particulate or gas measurements, or both, depending on the use case. - At program end, successful prototypes may be invited to a Foundation-funded laboratory testing event. - Awardees are expected to publish advances and submit annual progress and technology transfer plans. --- ## External Links - [Program Page (Beckman Foundation)](https://www.beckman-foundation.org/programs/mass-spectrometry-for-atmospheric-monitoring/) - [Full Request for Proposals (PDF)](https://www.beckman-foundation.org/documents/231/Mass_Spec_for_Atmospheric_Monitoring_RFP_July2022.pdf) - [Online Application Portal](https://beckman-foundation.smapply.io/) - [General Award Processes and Terms](https://www.beckman-foundation.org/programs/general-award-processes-and-terms/) - [Recent Recipients](https://www.beckman-foundation.org/awarded-scientists/?award_program=Mass%20Spec%20for%20Atm%20Monitoring) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Web Contact Page | |--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | Anne Hultgren | [instrumentgrants@beckman-foundation.org](mailto:instrumentgrants@beckman-foundation.org) | +1 949-531-0400 | [Contact Form](https://www.beckman-foundation.org/contacts/) |

Mass Spectrometry for Atmospheric Monitoring

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