National Science Foundation (NSF): Major Research Instrumentation

Application Window: Monday, Jan. 4, 2027 - Friday, Jan. 29, 2027

Award Range: $100,000 - $4 million. Proposals in mathematics may request up to $100,000.

Please note: This opportunity has changed since previous years: it is no longer a limited submission and no longer offers two separate tracks.

About: The MRI program supports acquisition of a cutting-edge instrument or development of a next-generation research instrument to advance foundational science and engineering research. The instrument should be operational by the end of the award period to enable the multi-user research and any training in the operation of the instrument described in the proposal. MRI will also accept requests solely for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of equipment dedicated to reducing helium consumption in existing shared-use research instrumentation. MRI proposals leading to commercial impact should not directly outline the path to commercialization but rather describe the potential impact.

The program will not support proposal requests that include (1) construction, renovation, or modernization of buildings or research facilities; (2) general purpose, ancillary, and supporting equipment; (3) sustaining infrastructure and/or building systems; (4) instrumentation used primarily for science and engineering education courses; instrumentation for research primarily outside of NSF-supported fields of science and engineering; or (6) multiple, independent instruments.

Apply: For a detailed program description, please follow the link to the NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation program page. 

NOTE: If you are interested in applying or have any questions, please contact our Pre-Award Specialists Pia Gabriel at pg12@humboldt.edu, Kaz Wegmuller at kaz.wegmuller@humboldt.edu, or Jocelyne Takatsuno at jt366@humboldt.edu by December 4, 2026. Please keep the upcoming holiday breaks in mind when planning your application timeline.