Major Research Instrumentation Program: (MRI)
U.S. National Science Foundation · Other Federal · 27-500
Source: Grants.gov · View original posting ↗
- AwardWhat a single award can be worth — the funder's published per-award amount or floor–ceiling range.
- $100K – $4M
- DeadlineFinal application due date.
- Jan 29, 2027
- Letter of intentDue date for the letter of intent (a short pre-application some funders require or request before the full proposal).
- —
- MechanismNIH activity code — the grant type (R01 research project, R21 exploratory, K series career development, F series fellowship, …).
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- DurationMaximum project period for a single award.
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- Expected awardsHow many awards the funder anticipates making under this opportunity.
- —
- Funding cycleHow often the program accepts applications (annual, multiple cycles per year, rolling, or one-time).
- Unknown
- Open dateWhen applications open (or opened).
- Nov 6, 2026
- Total fundingThe overall pool the funder expects to commit across ALL awards under this opportunity — not what one project receives.
- $50M total
- Clinical trialWhether proposed projects must, may, or must not include a clinical trial.
- Unspecified
Research areas
Auto-classified from the title and description (keyword-based) — may be imperfect.
Description
The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program ( MRI Website ) increases access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and training in the operation of the proposed equipment. An MRI award supports the acquisition of a multi-user research instrument through direct purchase from a vendor, or for the personnel and components required to develop an instrument with new capabilities that opens new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. MRI instruments are generally too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. MRI encourages proposals from early-career researchers, from all geographic regions, including EPSCoR jurisdictions , and from emerging research institutions, where MRI can significantly build capacity for research. The program especially welcomes proposals for instruments that will advance discovery in one or more national R&D priority areas , including capability for scientifically justified integration with SI-enabled workflows.