NSF sets deadline for major research instrumentation program proposals The NSF has set the deadline for 2007 major research instrumentation proposals. Although the new solicitation will not be available until approximately October, changes to it will be minor. Therefore, in order to allow more time for proposal preparation, we have set an internal preproposal deadline of Sept. 29. The MRI program assists in the acquisition or development of major research instrumentation that is, in general, too costly for support through other NSF programs. Proposals may be for a single instrument, a large system of instruments, or multiple instruments that share a common or specific research focus. Computer systems, clusters of advanced workstations, networks, and other information infrastructure components necessary for research are encouraged. Awards for instrumentation will range from $100,000 to $2 million. Lesser amounts will be considered in proposals from the mathematical sciences or from the social, behavioral and economic science community. An institution may submit up to three proposals to the MRI program. Up to two proposals may be for instrument acquisition. If an institution submits three proposals, at least one of the three proposals must be for instrument development. However, two or all three proposals may be for instrument development. An institution may also be included as a member of a legally established consortium submitting a separate proposal, clearly labeled as such in the proposal's title. As a result of the limited number of proposals that can be submitted, UND will conduct an internal review of preproposals. Preproposals should consist of the following sections: ● Cover page listing the project name, collaborators, contact person, total budget amount ● Instrument(s) to be purchased or developed and its(their) function(s) ● Impact on the research program of the collaborators, department(s), and college(s) ● Impact on the university’s mission as a whole ● Detailed budget Preproposals should be no more than five pages in length using a reasonable format (one inch margins, font size 11, single-spaced). Preproposals are due in Research Development and Compliance (RD&C) by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. Criteria used for reviewing preproposals will include appropriateness to the goal of the program; probability for funding by NSF; reasonableness of budgetary requests; and impact of the request on the University and the academic units involved. Investigators will be notified of the review results as soon as possible in order to provide as much time as possible to prepare a final proposal for submission. Contact RD&C, 777-4278 or shirleygriffin@mail.und.nodak.edu for the complete NSF MRI announcement, or download it at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf05515. -- Barry I. Milavetz, Associate Vice President for Research, Research Development and Compliance, barrymilavetz@mail.und.nodak.edu, 701/777-4278