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

November 18, 2022 (Full Proposal)

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

Supports development of innovative, portable mass spectrometry instruments for atmospheric monitoring with strong undergraduate research involvement.

--- ## Description This grant opportunity from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation aims to accelerate the development of new, miniaturized mass spectrometry instruments for atmospheric monitoring. The program is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, encourage undergraduate participation, and deliver practical tools that can be deployed in the field for real-time air quality analysis. Projects should focus on building portable, affordable, and user-friendly mass spectrometry systems suitable for mobile, airborne, or unattended applications. The ultimate goal is to democratize access to advanced atmospheric monitoring, inform pollution policy, and improve air quality assessment. --- ## Due Dates - November 18, 2022: Full Proposal deadline (5:00 PM Eastern Time) --- ## Funding Amount - Up to $1 million per selected team over a 3-year development and testing period. - Funds may be used for prototype materials, consumables, undergraduate student support, partial support for other personnel, industry collaborations, and training experiences. - The Foundation does **not** allow indirect or overhead costs. - Applicant institutions must demonstrate commitment to provide additional funding if required to complete project objectives. --- ## Eligibility - Lead Institution must be a nonprofit U.S. university or research institution (including Primarily Undergraduate Institutions). - Consortia are eligible, but a single Lead Institution must accept the entire award. - Teams must be able to engage undergraduate students in meaningful research roles throughout the project. - Multiple proposals from the same institution are permitted if led by different PIs and teams, provided the institution commits to supporting all selected projects. - The program is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents affiliated with eligible institutions. - National laboratories, service academies, and non-U.S. organizations are not eligible. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted via the [online application portal](https://beckman-foundation.smapply.io/prog/mass_spectrometry_for_atmospheric_monitoring). - One faculty member or senior research scientist should serve as Program Lead and create the portal account. - The portal supports adding collaborators for document uploads. - Required materials include a technical proposal, budget, institutional support letter, and a plan for undergraduate engagement. - Detailed instructions and proposal requirements are available in the [Request for Proposals](https://www.beckman-foundation.org/documents/231/Mass_Spec_for_Atmospheric_Monitoring_RFP_July2022.pdf). - Applications are reviewed by a scientific committee; feedback is not provided on unsuccessful proposals. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must include a 3-year plan for iterative design, prototyping, and testing. - Undergraduates must be meaningfully involved in research and instrument development. - Industry partnerships are encouraged and required in later project stages. - Annual reporting is required, including updates on technology transfer and commercialization plans. - No support is provided for general institutional expenses, fundraising, or research outside chemistry and life sciences. --- ## External Links - [Program Overview and Application Instructions](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) - [General Award Processes & 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 | |---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|-------------------| | Anne Hultgren (Program Officer) | [instrumentgrants@beckman-foundation.org](mailto:instrumentgrants@beckman-foundation.org) | +1 949-531-0400 | | General Contact | [Contact Form](https://www.beckman-foundation.org/contacts/) | |

Mass Spectrometry for Atmospheric Monitoring

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