Instructions for MRI Pre-Proposals for the 2014 Competition

The deadline for the next round of the annual Major Research Instrumentation program is January 23, 2014.  The current solicitation is NSF 13-517. 

Please note that RIT is now a Ph.D. granting institution according to the eligibility criteria for the MRI program.  Cost sharing at a level of 30% of total project cost is required for acquisition and development proposals. 

Synopsis.  The Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) seeks to improve the quality and expand the scope of research and research training in science and engineering, and to foster the integration of research and education by providing instrumentation for research-intensive learning environments.  The MRI program encourages the development and acquisition of research instrumentation for shared inter- and/or intra-organizational use and in concert with private sector partners. 

Eligibility.  RIT may submit up to three proposals, including those on which we are a partner or funded subawardee.  (Proposals where RIT is an unfunded collaborator do not count against the submission limit.) If we submit three proposals, at least one must be for instrument development.

Deadlines.  Internal proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013.  Please send them electronically to david.bond@rit.edu.  The Vice President for Research will organize a review team to recommend which proposals will go forward. 

Internal Proposal Format. Identify the proposal as either acquisition or development in the title.  List the PI and co-PIs including their department/units.  In a proposal of no more than 3 pages, address items (a) – (f) below. 

a) Project Abstract.  In a short paragraph, briefly state the Intellectual Merit and Broader impacts of the proposed project. 

b) Research Activities. Briefly describe the research and research training activities and projects to be conducted with the desired instrumentation, and sources of support, if any. In narrative or tabular form, list by number and type (e.g., senior personnel, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students) the personnel who will use the instrumentation for research and research training on a regular basis.  State the kinds of discovery and research this instrumentation will enable. 

c) Description of the Research Instrumentation and Needs.  Provide a short technical description of the requested instrumentation to allow reviewers to evaluate the extent to which the equipment is essential and appropriate. Describe any related instrumentation currently available at RIT or in the greater Rochester area. For development of new instrumentation, describe the design concept, rationale, and development methods in sufficient detail to allow evaluation of its technical feasibility. Justify the necessity and adequacy of the new instrumentation for the proposed research projects, with reference to existing instruments.

d) Impact on Research and Training Infrastructure. Describe how the instrumentation will improve RIT’s capabilities in leading edge research. Indicate how the instrumentation will attract researchers and students and improve the quality of their research training. For instrument development proposals, discuss the potential impact of this activity on the Nation's academic research infrastructure. Describe how students will be involved and how their education will be enhanced through development efforts.

e) Management Plan. For instrument acquisition this plan should address maintenance and operation projections.  Where will the instrument be housed?  How will time be allocated?  How will users be attracted?  Are there any costs associated with housing, maintaining and operating the instrument?  How will these costs be covered?  

For instrument development this plan should detail the design and construction phases of the project. Include ideas for making instrument design readily available to other researchers. 

f) Budget.  Estimate the overall budget for the proposal.  For instrument development proposals, estimate the costs by category, including salaries, equipment and supplies. 

Estimate matching funds needed. 

g) Biosketches.  Please provide NSF formatted bio sketches for the PI and co-PIs.

Review Criteria.  Reviewers will rank proposals based on the likelihood of success, that is, how well they respond to the MRI solicitation and on the perceived benefit to RIT.