Major Research Instrumentation Program
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions seeking to acquire or develop advanced research instrumentation. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (Ph.D.-granting and non-Ph.D.-granting) and nonprofit research organizations like museums, observatories, and research laboratories. Organizations must be located in the United States, its territories, or possessions.
The program supports acquisition of commercially available instruments or development of instruments with new capabilities. Three tracks exist based on funding amount: Track 1 ($100K–$1.4M), Track 2 ($1.4M–$4M), and Track 3 ($100K–$4M for helium conservation equipment). Each institution may submit up to two Track 1 proposals, one Track 2 proposal, and one Track 3 proposal per competition.
Cost sharing is currently waived. The program prioritizes underrepresented groups, early-career researchers, institutions in geographically underserved regions, and under-resourced institutions building research capacity.
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Program description
The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI Program Website) serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation’s institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition of a multi-user research instrument that is commercially available through direct purchase from a vendor, or for the personnel costs and equipment that are required for the development of an instrument with new capabilities, thereby advancing instrumentation capabilities and enhancing expertise for instrument design and fabrication at academic institutions. MRI instruments are, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.
MRI provides support to acquire critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to obtain next-generation research instruments by developing instruments with new capabilities that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.
An MRI proposal may request from NSF up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Each performing organization may submit in revised “Tracks” as defined below, with no more than two (2) submissions in Track 1 and no more than one (1) submission in Track 2. For the newly defined Track 3, no more than one (1) submission per competition is permitted. As a result, it is now possible for an institution to submit up to four MRI proposals within the Track limits as described above.
- Track 1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than $100,000[1] and less than $1,400,000.
- Track 2: Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000.
- Track 3: Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000[1] and less than or equal to $4,000,000 that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of helium. Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals.
Cost sharing requirements for new awards in the MRI Program are waived for a period of 5 years beginning with the FY 2023 MRI competition. Institutional submission limits for Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 proposals remain.
The MRI Program especially seeks broad representation of groups, institutions, and geographic regions that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines. Proposals from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities and early-career PIs are encouraged, as are proposals that benefit early-career researchers and proposals with PIs from geographically underserved regions, including EPSCoR jurisdictions. Additionally, proposals are encouraged from under-resourced institutions, including from emerging research institutions, where MRI can significantly build capacity for research.
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[1]Track 1 proposals requesting funds from NSF less than $100,000 will be accepted only from: a) eligible performing organizations requesting instrumentation supporting research in the disciplines of mathematics or social, behavioral and economic sciences; or b) non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education requesting instrumentation supporting research in any NSF-supported disciplines.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF Proposal Form (SF 424-R)
- Project Summary (abstract and overview)
- Project Description (narrative with technical specifications)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Support Letter
- User Community Letters of Support
- Current and Pending Support documentation
- Equipment/Vendor quotes (for acquisition proposals)
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.074 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$401,043,378
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$268,297,107
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$66,886,066
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$59,000,000
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$46,262,435
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$39,723,283
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$39,604,013
-
$31,000,000
-
$29,500,000
-
$22,800,000
Top States by Funding
- OH 2 awards $413.5M
- CO 4 awards $299.9M
- NY 6 awards $133.9M
- AZ 5 awards $103.1M
- CA 8 awards $93.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.074). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $813,390,000 | |
| 2025 | $789,240,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $221,290,000 |
FAQ
What is an eligible MRI instrument?
The instrument must support multi-user research and research training. It can be commercially available for direct purchase or newly developed with innovative capabilities that advance instrumentation design.
How many proposals can my institution submit?
Each institution may submit up to two Track 1 proposals, one Track 2 proposal, and one Track 3 proposal per competition, totaling four proposals maximum.
What is the deadline and is it fixed?
The deadline is November 16, 2026. This is a fixed deadline; proposals received after this date will not be accepted.
Does my institution need to provide cost sharing?
No. Cost sharing requirements are waived for the current five-year period (FY 2023 and beyond).
What award amounts are available?
Track 1 awards range from $100,000 to $1,399,999. Track 2 awards range from $1,400,000 to $4,000,000. Track 3 follows the same range as the track it applies to.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate that the instrument is essential for your research program and unavailable elsewhere at your institution. Explain how its absence limits research progress.
- Build a strong user community. Document support letters from faculty and researchers across departments or institutions who will use the instrument.
- Be specific about the instrument's capabilities and how it advances the frontiers of science or engineering. Connect it to strategic research priorities.
- For development proposals, show detailed technical expertise and evidence of successful instrument design or engineering experience at your institution.
- Highlight how the instrument supports research training for students, postdocs, and early-career researchers who will become future instrument users and designers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Requesting an instrument that duplicates existing capabilities nearby or overestimating institutional need. Not demonstrating sufficient user demand across multiple research groups. Proposing an instrument that is not commercially available without strong development expertise credentials.
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