NSF 27-500: Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)

Program Solicitation NSF 27-500

U.S. National Science Foundation Office of the Director      Office of Integrative Activities      Office of International Science and Engineering Directorate for Biological Sciences Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering Directorate for STEM Education Directorate for Engineering Directorate for Geosciences Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships

Submission Window Date(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization's local time):

     January 04, 2027 - January 29, 2027

     October 18, 2027 - November 19, 2027

     October 16, 2028 - November 17, 2028

Important Information and Revision Notes

This announcement has been edited for clarity and to remove redundancies. The solicitation has also been modified with updated NSF priorities.

Changes to the MRI program include the following:

• Organizational submission limits have been eliminated.
• Tracks have been eliminated (though Helium recovery equipment proposals will still be considered separately from those for research instruments).

Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. The NSF PAPPG is regularly revised and it is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets the requirements specified in this solicitation and the applicable version of the PAPPG. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Summary of Program Requirements

General Information

Program Title:

Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)

Instrument Acquisition or Development

Synopsis of Program:

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.

NSF Priorities

NSF welcomes submissions from all researchers, particularly those earlier in their careers and those working in research areas aligned with agency and administration priorities. NSF also expects the highest standards of scientific rigor, integrity, and adherence to tenets of Gold Standard Science in proposals, as appropriate for the field of science and research modality.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.

• MRI Program, email: mri@nsf.gov

Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):

• 47.083 - Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)
• 47.074 - Biological Sciences
• 47.070 - Computer and Information Science and Engineering
• 47.076 - STEM Education
• 47.041 - Engineering
• 47.050 - Geosciences
• 47.049 - Mathematical and Physical Sciences
• 47.084 - NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnerships
• 47.079 - Office of International Science and Engineering

Award Information

Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant

Estimated Number of Awards: 60

The number of awards is dependent on the available budget and the number and quality of submissions.

Anticipated Funding Amount: $50,000,000

Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

• Letters of Intent: Not required
• Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required
• Full Proposals:
  • Full Proposals submitted via Research.gov: NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines apply. The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.
  • Full Proposals submitted via Grants.gov: NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov guidelines apply (Note: The NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide).

B. Budgetary Information

• Cost Sharing Requirements:

  Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

• Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:

  Not Applicable

• Other Budgetary Limitations:

  Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

C. Due Dates

• Submission Window Date(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization's local time):

       January 04, 2027 - January 29, 2027

       October 18, 2027 - November 19, 2027

       October 16, 2028 - November 17, 2028

Proposal Review Information Criteria

Merit Review Criteria:

National Science Board approved criteria. Additional merit review criteria apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Award Administration Information

Award Conditions:

Standard NSF award conditions apply.

Reporting Requirements:

Additional reporting requirements apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

I. Introduction

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program contributes to the national priority to Expand World-Class R&D Infrastructure for Broad Use (FY28 Administration R&D Budget Priorities Memorandum, NSTM-5/M-26-16), in particular User Facilities for the S&T Ecosystem, by providing U.S. organizations with cutting-edge shared-use instrumentation that opens new opportunities to expand the frontiers in foundational science and engineering research and training in the operation of the proposed instrumentation. The MRI program supports either acquisition of a state-of-the-art instrument from a vendor or development of a next-generation research instrument. The MRI Program seeks to balance funding rates across a range of organization types (colleges, universities, and other science and engineering research organizations) and instrument types to meet needs that advance the most cutting-edge science. Development projects may leverage the strengths of private sector partnerships or create new capabilities that can be disseminated by private sector partners.

An MRI instrument may consist of components that, when combined, serve as a single integrated research instrument. Such integrations may be acquisition or development, depending on the advances in measurement capabilities and level of risk and effort to successfully build the instrument. PIs should discuss these projects with cognizant MRI program officers in the relevant Directorate(s).

MRI instrumentation spans all NSF-supported science and engineering and often enables research across disciplinary boundaries. The Program welcomes proposals that advance national R&D priority areas, including scientifically justified integration with SI-enabled workflows or interfaces. Additionally, MRI accepts proposals requesting equipment to reduce helium consumption.

Cutting-edge instrumentation provided through previous MRI awards have enabled key advances that improve the lives of Americans. Some examples include:

• A solar energy testbed that enables research that integrates sensors and machine learning to elevate the output power and robustness of utility-scale solar arrays. The project has led to at least three U.S. patents, connected with increasing power production and shading and irradiance-forecasting. The project helps lower electricity costs for American households and businesses by advancing fundamental research that underpins the cost efficiency and capabilities of energy systems.
• A 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imager enabled researchers to investigate brain structure and function in a range of animal species. For example, researchers used this instrument to show that gut bacteria can lead to changes in brain structure in mice that are associated with changes in anxiety-like behavior. This insight is leading to new approaches for preventing or treating anxiety disorders and early identification of neurodegenerative diseases in humans, with clear benefits for the lives of Americans.
• An upgrade to the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSPEC) at the Keck Observatory. This instrument can detect organic compounds and chemical precursors to the building blocks of life in planet-forming regions. The instrument can analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets and exotic planetary systems, increasing understanding of how life emerged in extreme environments on Earth and advancing national missions in space science and advanced materials and manufacturing.

II. Program Description

A. MRI Program Scope

1. What MRI will support: 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.

a. Instrument Acquisition includes purchase or upgrade of a generally available, sophisticated research instrument with little or no modification and risk.

b. Instrument Development builds a new or extensively upgraded instrument with groundbreaking performance that enables potentially transformative research opportunities and/or opens new areas of research. MRI development efforts typically require longer timescales for completion than acquisition efforts and involve design, construction, testing, and commissioning, so equipment cost may not represent the largest portion of the budget. A development project should lead to a stable instrument at the end of the award period that will serve multiple researchers for an extended period of time.

The acquisition of components simply combined in a new system, the purchase of an upgrade, early-phase enabling technology development, or the development of devices, products or techniques/protocols do not constitute instrument development. Nor does the purchase of a computer(s) and subsequent porting of application-specific software.

A development proposal with private-sector partners must build capacity for instrument development within the submitting organization(s); a proposal that "outsources" the development to the partner will be considered an acquisition proposal. The proposing organization(s) retains license to technologies developed in the partnership. A development proposal must describe the improved performance of the new instrument over existing options and the expected impact of the instrument on the broader research community.

2. What MRI will not support: The MRI 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. Proposals seeking support for the above items or activities may be returned without review or declined.

B. Eligible Fields of Science and Engineering

A proposal should describe the foundational research for which the instrument will be used. This should be predominantly in fields that are typically supported by NSF programs. Research and training in the operation of the proposed instrument in fields outside of those supported by NSF can be part of the Broader Impacts. The specific research projects for which the instrument will be used need not be funded by NSF or other agencies of the Federal government.

MRI does not provide support for instrumentation intended for use in (1) medical education; (2) research with disease-related goals; or (3) research on animal models of such conditions or the testing of drugs or other procedures for their treatment.

Instrumentation for bioengineering research, with diagnosis- or treatment-related goals that apply engineering principles to problems in biology and medicine while also advancing engineering knowledge, is eligible for support.

C. Operations and Maintenance

Proposals should only be submitted by organizations that are willing to undertake the responsibility of maintaining and operating the instrument for the benefit of a community of users engaged in research and training in the operation of the proposed instrument. Defraying the costs of operations and maintenance through user fees is permissible but not required.

D. Instrument Deployment

If the requested instrument is to be deployed at a location other than the managing organization, it is recommended to communicate this to the cognizant MRI point of contact before preparing a proposal for submission.

E. Measures of Success

Of the measures below, only those applicable to the specific project are required.

All MRI awards

• New technologies or techniques established: For MRI, this is met by demonstrating that the requested instrument is operational by the end of the award period. This can be supported by commissioning data and evidence of operator training.
• Research facility usage: If external users have been able to access the instrument, provide this information as well as documenting usage by the PI team.

For Development awards

• Publications: Papers and other publications describing the instrument development, providing details and performance metrics.
• Patents developed.
• Invention disclosures.
• Licenses established, particularly in cases where a private sector partner participates in the development project.

III. Award Information

Acquisition projects are expected to be funded for up to three years and development projects for up to five years.

For proposals submitted for the January 2027 window, the earliest expected start date is October 1, 2027. For later windows, the earliest expected start date is October 1st of the year following the competition submission window.

IV. Eligibility Information

Who May Submit Proposals:

Proposals may only be submitted by the following:

• Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
• Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
• Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.

Who May Serve as PI:

There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals Per PI or Co-PI:

There are no restrictions or limits.

V. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Research.gov or Grants.gov.

You must prepare your proposal according to Chapter II.D.2 of the PAPPG, unless this solicitation specifies different instructions. Always use the version of the PAPPG in effect on your proposal's due date.

• For proposals submitted via Research.gov, PAPPG guidelines apply.
• For proposals submitted via Grants.gov, NSF Grants.gov Application Guide guidelines apply.

In determining which method to utilize in the electronic preparation and submission of the proposal, please note the following:

Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must be submitted via Research.gov. PAPPG Chapter II.E.3 provides additional information on collaborative proposals.

If submitting through Research.gov (recommended), select "Equipment" as the proposal type.

a. Cover Sheet:

• Proposal Title must begin with "MRI Acquisition:" or "MRI Development:" as appropriate. Research.gov will prepend the proposal title with "Equipment:".
• Proposed duration is up to 36 months for acquisition and 60 months for development proposals.

b. Project Description: This section must include the components listed below.

1. For all proposals

   1. Location: Include on a separate line the physical location of the proposed instrument as follows, "Instrument Location: _____________".
   2. Research Activities. Describe the research project(s) and training in the operation of the proposed equipment activities that will be enabled and current and potential funding sources that may support these activities. Describe the personnel by research area, number, and role (e.g., senior personnel, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students), as well as major users' research objectives with the instrument.
   3. Results of Prior NSF Support (if applicable): Preference should be given to MRI or other instrumentation awards. Include information on instrument operations and maintenance, downtime and usage history.
   4. Broader Impacts: Describe the broader impacts that will result from the acquisition or development of the instrument, including how the instrument will make a substantial improvement in the organization's capabilities to conduct leading-edge research and training in the operation of the proposed instrument. Proposals requesting over $1.4 million should address the potential impact of the instrument on the research community of interest at the regional or national level, including concrete plans for enabling access by external users.

2. For acquisition proposals

   1. Description of instrument and needs: Explain how the planned research drives the specific capabilities of the instrument requested. Include a technical description of the requested instrument. Address the availability and capabilities of comparable instruments (e.g., at nearby organizations, available through a virtual interface, or through collaborations). Provide a clear justification for the requested instrument. When integrating components to serve as a research instrument, justify the request in the context of the MRI goal of providing support for a single well-integrated research instrument.
   2. Instrument Management Plan: Describe the space or the facility in which the instrument will be placed; how and by whom the instrument will be operated and maintained; procedures for user training; procedures for allocating instrument access; plans for attracting and supporting new users; and anticipated usage and downtime.

3. For development proposals

   1. Description of instrument and needs: Provide a justification for submission as a Development proposal, as described above in Section II.A. Explain how the planned research drives the capabilities of the instrument to be developed. Describe significant new capabilities that are not available through an instrument acquisition, the need for development in-house, the expertise the team brings to the project, and confirm the availability for shared use at the end of the award period.

   2. Instrument Management Plan: In addition to the items listed for acquisition proposals:

      1. Describe project management for the design, construction and commissioning phases. Recommended elements include a high-level work breakdown structure for project activities, required parts and materials, deliverables, and estimated schedules and costs for each phase.
      2. Discuss the required personnel and anticipated costs of each project phase, including descriptions of members' technical expertise to execute each project activity.
      3. Include a plan for risk mitigation comprising potential mitigating steps to stay within scope, schedule and budget.
      4. Describe knowledge transfer and dissemination of the instrument design upon completion.

4. For proposals related to use of helium or helium recovery equipment

   1. Describe current and/or anticipated helium volume and expenses and projections of helium use with and without the requested equipment.
   2. Provide current or planned shared-usage statistics and metrics.

c. Budget and Budget Justification: MRI proposals may request between $100,000 to $4 million, except for proposals (a) in mathematics or (b) from non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education for all NSF-supported disciplines. Such proposals may request budgets under $100,000.

d. Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources. Along with information as described in the PAPPG, provide a listing of similar and/or related instrumentation at or near the performing organization as "Other Resources."

e. Biographical Sketches. In addition to biographical sketches required in the PAPPG, a separate Biographical Sketch should be included for the individual most responsible for the management of the instrument if not a PI, Co-PI, or senior personnel.

f. Supplementary Documents: In addition to the requirements contained in the PAPPG, the following items must be included for all proposals. No other supplementary documents are allowed:

1. A 1-2-page letter documenting the performing organization's commitment to ensuring successful operations and maintenance over the expected lifetime of the instrument. This letter must also list the MRI awards made to the organization with a start date in the previous five calendar years and briefly describe the status of the instrumentation obtained from each award.
2. If applicable, a separate letter certifying that the proposal is submitted by a non-Ph.D.-granting institution of higher education.
3. Representative, itemized vendor quotes. Although a proposal might reference and have a quote(s) for a specific make and model, the proposer is reminded that in the event of an award, the awardee organization's approved procurement processes must be utilized to establish the appropriate item(s) to be purchased and ensure that applicable procurement standards are utilized.

The following items must be included when applicable for the given proposal:

1. If a proposed effort involves a private sector partner or other organization serving as a partner, or a large, formalized collaboration, a letter (one page maximum) confirming their participation must be included.
2. Proposals for the acquisition or development of an instrument to be located at an organization other than the performing organization must provide a (one-page maximum) supplementary document stating the host organization's commitment to house the instrument. Use of instruments at NSF's Antarctic facilities is considered field deployment and a supplementary document from the host facility is not required.
3. Optional: Key collaborators who are not senior/key personnel may provide a commitment letter using only the format provided in the PAPPG, Chapter II.D.2.i.(iv). No letter is required or accepted from potential users after instrument commissioning.

Single Copy Documents: The following information applies only to those MRI proposals that will be reviewed in the Office of Polar Programs: PIs proposing instruments intended for use in the Antarctic are required to consult with the NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) to discuss the timing and feasibility of their project. Documentation in the form of email correspondence must be provided as a Single Copy Document. Failure to do so may result in a proposal being returned without review.

B. Budgetary Information

Cost Sharing:

Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

Other Budgetary Limitations:

The Total Project Cost should be based on the net price of the instrument, considering all discounts. NSF will not provide salary support for personnel employed by Federal agencies or Federally Funded Research and Development Centers.

Funds requested from NSF must be used for eligible project costs, as described below.

a. Acquisition proposals: Within the Total Project Cost, eligible project costs are limited to the cost of the instrument, shipping, installation, commissioning, and calibration; the direct and indirect costs of maintenance; and of appropriate technical support and training of personnel to operate the instrument during the award period. They should be commensurate with the scale of the instrument. All other costs are ineligible for acquisition proposals.

For acquisition proposals, at least 70% of the Total Project Cost must consist of items included on the Equipment line of the NSF budget form (Line D).

b. Development proposals: Within the Total Project Cost, eligible project costs are limited to parts and materials needed for the construction of the instrument, commissioning costs, and the direct and indirect costs associated with support of personnel engaged strictly in the instrument development effort. Requests for personnel support must include a description of the responsibilities of the individuals involved and explain why a given position is necessary for the completion of the design, construction and commissioning of the new instrument. Any request for training support should be justified in terms of project needs. Sufficient detail should be given to allow reviewers to analyze the development costs and risks. Travel costs that are integral to the development work are eligible expenses. Publication costs associated with the dissemination of information about the design and capabilities of the instrument are also eligible. No other costs are allowed for development proposals.

C. Research.gov/Grants.gov Requirements

You can submit proposals in response to this solicitation through Research.gov or Grants.gov, unless otherwise noted.

Information on how to prepare and submit proposals is available on the Submitting Your Proposal page on NSF.gov.

VI. NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures

Information on NSF's proposal processing and review procedures is available on the Overview of the NSF Proposal and Award Process page on NSF.gov.

A. Merit Review Principles and Criteria

All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board-approved merit review criteria:

• Intellectual Merit, which encompasses the potential to advance knowledge.
• Broader Impacts, which encompass the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

Information on NSF's merit review principles and process can be found on the How We Make Funding Decisions page on NSF.gov.

Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria

Within the evaluation criteria stated above, reviewers will assess the following:

All Proposals:

• The extent to which the proposed project will make a substantial improvement in the organization's capabilities to conduct leading-edge research.
• The extent to which the instrument will be used for multi-user, shared-use research.
• The organization's commitment to ensuring successful operations and maintenance over the expected lifetime of the instrument.
• For proposals requesting over $1.4 million, the potential impact of the instrument on the research community of interest at the regional or national level.

Instrument Acquisition Proposals:

• Whether the instrument management plan demonstrates sufficient commitment and technical expertise for effective scheduling and usage of the instrument.
• If student involvement is requested in the form of direct support for operations and maintenance of the instrument, reviewers will be asked to evaluate the involvement in terms of both instrument needs and training for operations and maintenance.

Instrument Development Proposals:

• The appropriateness of submission as a development proposal.
• The need for development of a new instrument. Will the proposed instrument enable enhanced performance over existing instruments, or new types of measurement or information gathering? Is there a strong need for the new instrument in the larger user community to advance new frontiers of research?
• The adequacy of the instrument management plan. Does the plan have a realistic schedule that is described in sufficient detail to be assessed? Are mechanisms described to mitigate and deal with potential risks?

B. Review and Selection Process

Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by

Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review, or Internal NSF Review.

After a proposal passes an initial compliance check, it will be reviewed by an NSF Program Officer. In most cases, two or more experts will also review it (either as ad hoc reviewers, panelists or both).

Visit the Overview of the NSF Proposal and Award Process page for more information on the proposal review and selection process.

In alignment with Executive Order 14332 (Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking), all else being equal after merit review, NSF may give preference to institutions with lower indirect cost rates.

VII. Award Administration Information

A. Notification of the Award

Notification of an award is made to the submitting organization by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer.

B. Award Conditions

Information on NSF award conditions can be found on the Award Terms and Conditions page on NSF.gov and Chapter VII of the PAPPG.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements:

Information on administrative and national policy requirements can be found on the National Policy Requirements for Recipients of NSF Awards page on NSF.gov.

Consistent with the requirements specified in 2 CFR § 200.332, recipients of NSF awards must adhere to the requirements for pass-through entities in establishing and managing subawards issued ensuring alignment with Administration and NSF policies and priorities.

In alignment with Executive Order 14332 (Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking), proposers should be aware that NSF awards offered under this funding opportunity may include termination for convenience provisions.

C. Reporting Requirements

Unless your award notice says otherwise, NSF requires the principal investigator of every grant to submit annual project reports and a project outcomes report for the general public. For complete reporting requirements, see Chapter VII of the PAPPG.

The following topics should be addressed in all MRI annual and final project reports:

For Instrument Acquisition Proposals:

• Status of order, delivery, installation, and commissioning;
• Brief description of research projects that have been enabled by the instrument;
• A list of the research groups granted access, along with the titles of the research undertaken and organizational affiliations. Include both on-campus and outside users;
• Data on usage and downtime;
• A short description of deviations from the plan as described in the proposal;
• Description of setbacks and resulting change of plans; and
• Information on broader impacts to date.

For Instrument Development Proposals:

• Status of development effort to date;
• Information on broader impacts to date;
• Where applicable: New industrial partnerships;
• Where applicable: Technology transfer (e.g., design);
• Any deviations from the plan as described in the proposal;
• Description of setbacks and resulting change of plans; and
• Modifications in timeline.

For helium-related Proposals:

• Current and anticipated helium expenses and use projections with and without recovery systems installed, including impacts and efficiencies gained;
• The volume and price of helium purchased;
• Changes in pricing and availability of helium;
• Any supply disruptions impacting the availability of helium.

VIII. Agency Contacts

For questions related to the use of NSF systems contact:

• Research.gov: NSF IT Service Desk at rgov@nsf.gov or 1-800-381-1532. The Service Desk is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except for federal holidays).

For questions relating to Grants.gov contact:

• Grants.gov: The Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726. (Contact if the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) has not received a confirmation message from Grants.gov within 48 hours of submitting an application.)

Additional MRI Program Contacts

For up-to-date contacts, see the MRI webpage at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mri-major-research-instrumentation-program

General information for the MRI Program is available as follows:

Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)
Major Research Instrumentation Program
National Science Foundation
Randolph Building, 401 Dulany Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314

E-Mail: mri@nsf.gov

IX. Other Information

For information on NSF directorates, programs and funding opportunities, go to NSF.gov.

About the National Science Foundation

The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency created by the "National Science Foundation Act of 1950." More information about NSF can be found on NSF.gov.

Location:
Randolph Building
401 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

General information:
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Privacy Act and Public Burden Statements

The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is solicited under the authority of the "National Science Foundation Act of 1950," as amended. More information can be found on the Privacy Act and Public Burden Statements page on NSF.gov.