Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions seeking to design or build mid-scale research infrastructure ($400K-$20M). Higher education institutions (Ph.D.-granting and non-Ph.D.-granting), not-for-profit research organizations, and consortia can apply. All applicants must be U.S.-based with permanent administrative structures. The program supports equipment, instrumentation, cyberinfrastructure, datasets, and personnel to advance scientific research across NSF-supported disciplines.
Eligible activities include design planning (pathway to future implementation) or full implementation of research infrastructure. Both types of projects should train diverse STEM workforces. Proposals must demonstrate strong scientific merit, response to community need, and clear management plans.
Organizations can apply individually or as partnerships. Early-career researchers, women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented groups are explicitly encouraged. EPSCoR institutions are particularly targeted for expansion of the award portfolio.
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Program description
NSF-supported science and engineering research increasingly relies on cutting-edge infrastructure. With its Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program and Major Multi-user Facilities (“Major Facilities”) projects, NSF supports infrastructure projects at the lower and higher range of infrastructure project costs, Foundation-wide, across science and engineering research disciplines. The Foundation-wide Mid-scale Research Infrastructure opportunity is intended to provide NSF with an agile, Foundation-wide process to fund experimental research capabilities in the mid-scale range between MRI and Major Multi-user Facilities.
NSF defines Research Infrastructure (RI) as any combination of facilities, equipment, instrumentation, or computational hardware or software, and the necessary human capital in support of the same. Major facilities and mid-scale projects are subsets of research infrastructure. The NSF Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 Program (Mid-scale RI-1) supports either design activities or implementation of unique and compelling RI projects. Mid-scale implementation projects may include any combination of equipment, instrumentation, cyberinfrastructure, broadly used large scale datasets and the personnel needed to successfully commission the project. Mid-scale RI-1 design activities include the design efforts intended to lead to eventual implementation of a mid-scale class RI project. Mid-scale RI-1 projects should involve the training of a diverse workforce engaged in the design and implementation of STEM research infrastructure. Mid-scale RI-1 projects should directly enable advances in any of the research domains supported by NSF. Projects may also include upgrades to existing research infrastructure.
Mid-scale RI-1 emphasizes strong scientific merit, a response to an identified need of the research community and/or fulfillment of a national need to enable U.S. researchers to be competitive in a global research environment. Well-conceived technical and management plans are essential for both design and implementation proposals, as are well-developed plans (e.g., mentoring and professional development) for student training and the involvement of a diverse STEM workforce in all aspects of mid-scale design and/or implementation activities. The inclusion of individual project participants that will lead to a supportive working environment is especially encouraged at all levels of the project team.
Within Mid-scale RI-1, proposers may submit two types of projects, “Implementation” (e.g., acquisition and/or construction) or “Design”. The “Design” track is intended to facilitate progress toward readiness for a mid-scale range implementation project. Both Implementation projects and Design activities may involve new or upgraded research infrastructure. Mid-scale RI-1 “Implementation” projects may have a total project cost ranging from $4 million up to but not including $20 million. Mid-scale RI-1 “Design” activities may request less than $4 million, with a minimum request of $400,000 and a maximum request up to but not including $20 million, as appropriate, to prepare for a future mid-scale range implementation project. Note: Successful award of a Mid-scale RI-1 design activity does not imply NSF’s commitment to the future implementation of the project being designed, nor is a Mid-scale RI-1 design award required for the submission of an implementation project.
The Mid-scale RI-1 Program seeks to broaden the representation of PIs and institutions in its award portfolio, including a geographically diverse set of institutions (especially those in EPSCoR jurisdictions). Proposals submitted by, or involving partnerships between institutions are encouraged. Participation in this opportunity is encouraged for the full spectrum of diverse talent society has to offer to include PIs who are women, early-career researchers, persons with disabilities, or members of other groups underrepresented in STEM. To improve participation in science and engineering research for persons with disabilities, Mid-scale RI-1 encourages PIs to incorporate accessibility as part of Mid-scale RI-1 design activity and implementation projects.
Please consult NSF’s Research Infrastructure Guide, or RIG (available at https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/lfo/lfo_documents.jsp), for definitions of certain terms used in this solicitation, such as the Project Execution Plan (PEP) and Design and Execution Plan (DEP). The RIG provides guidance specific to Mid-scale Research Infrastructure Projects, including references to other parts of the RIG as needed. Note that PEP or DEP should be appropriately scaled for the complexity of the project and may not require all of the elements described in the RIG.
Mid-scale research infrastructure projects with total project costs beyond the Mid-scale RI-1 Program limit are separately solicited through the Mid-scale RI-2 Program. Proposals to the Mid-scale RI-1 Program with total project costs outside of this solicitation’s budgetary limits, either during initial submission or after cost analyses/revisions during subsequent review, are subject to return without further review.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF Standard Form 424 (SF-424)
- Project Narrative/Technical Proposal
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (PIs and key personnel)
- Current and Pending Support statement
- Institutional commitments and letters of support (if applicable)
- Data Management Plan
- Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources narrative
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.079 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$115,625,377
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$23,201,013
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$21,236,000
-
$20,513,222
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$20,251,151
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$20,210,752
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$20,203,733
-
$20,133,005
-
$20,114,003
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$20,100,000
Top States by Funding
- CA 11 awards $44.3M
- NJ 4 awards $30.3M
- MA 6 awards $28.4M
- NC 4 awards $28.3M
- OH 2 awards $25.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.079). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $66,550,000 | |
| 2025 | $57,610,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $12,470,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to submit proposals?
Higher education institutions (Ph.D.-granting and non-Ph.D.-granting), not-for-profit research organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and consortia of eligible institutions. All must have U.S. locations with permanent administrative structures.
What is the funding range?
Implementation projects: $4M-$20M. Design activities: $400K up to $20M, intended to prepare for future implementation.
What activities does this grant support?
Equipment acquisition, construction, cyberinfrastructure, large-scale datasets, and personnel for designing or implementing research infrastructure.
Is cost sharing required?
No, cost sharing is not required for this grant.
What makes a competitive proposal?
Strong scientific merit, clear demonstration of community need, well-developed technical and management plans, and commitment to training a diverse STEM workforce.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Design your infrastructure to address a clear, documented need in the research community. Vague aspirations won't be competitive.
- Budget generously for personnel and workforce development. NSF heavily weighs plans to engage diverse talent.
- Provide detailed technical specifications and realistic implementation timelines. Vague engineering plans are frequently rejected.
- Include partnerships strategically—consortia can strengthen your proposal, but coordination must be crystal clear.
- Emphasize how the infrastructure enables advances across multiple research domains, not just one narrow specialty.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack clear, documented evidence of research community need. Many focus on technical specs without explaining why the infrastructure fills a specific gap.
Workforce development plans are thin or afterthoughts. NSF expects robust, well-integrated strategies for training diverse teams.
Poor or unrealistic project management plans, especially for consortia with unclear coordination or decision-making authority.
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