MRA Instrumentation Acquisition Award:

Key to building a flourishing research ecosystem is the strategic acquisition of multi-user instrumentation. To build these capabilities, the MRA offers instrumentation acquisition awards (IAAs) that do not exceed $100,000 in total cost. During the current phase of the MRA (2024-2028), a total of $1,000,000 has been allocated for IAAs. Requests can only be for a single piece of equipment or several interdependent instruments. Applicants are also encouraged to contact MRA personnel to discuss the appropriateness of the request.

Proposals must demonstrate how instrumentation will support the projects of multiple research groups. These groups can be located at a single institution but must show a multi-disciplinary use case. However, proposals that benefit multiple institutions, especially those that involve researchers at ERIs, are given priority. For the purpose of the IAA a ‘project’ can be considered as a research project and/or teaching project (i.e. lecture, course, or laboratory) that utilizes the proposed instrumentation. Proposals must also provide a long-term sustainability plan and interact with the MRA Exchange Portal.

MRA Contacts:

• Dr. Victor Bii, victor.bii@mvsu.edu
• Dr. Tristan Clemons, Tristan.clemons@usm.edu
• Dr. Alex Flynt, asflynt@olemiss.edu

Proposal Deadline: 

Friday, October 23rd, 2026

Proposal Instructions:

IAA applications should be prepared with the following specifications:

Page Size:  8 ½ x 11 inches, Spacing: Single, Font: Times New Roman or Helvetica, 11 point, Margins: 1”.

1. Cover Page

1. Proposal Title
2. Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator(s) (Full name, Title, Primary Affiliation, Phone Numbers, Fax Number, E-mail Address)
3. Type of Proposal:  Regular or Linked

2. Abstract (Maximum of 200 words)

3. Proposal (Maximum of 6 pages)

1. Description of instrument and capabilities (~1 page). 
2. Description of projects from up to 6 faculty supported by the acquisition. For the purpose of the IAA a ‘project’ can be considered as a research project and/or teaching project (i.e. lecture, course, or laboratory) that utilizes the proposed instrumentation (~3 pages) 
3. Sustainability Plan- approach to and sources of support for longer term operation of the instrument (~1 pages) 
4. Describe integration into the research ecosystem supported by the MRA. (~0.5 page)

4. Appendices

1. Literature cited 
2. AOR letter- A signed letter from your Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) stating they have reviewed and approved the proposal as submitted and approve an institutional commitment
3. Budget (NSF format, 1 page)
4. Budget justification (1 page)
5. Curriculum vitae of all investigators (NSF biosketch format, 2 pages maximum for each investigator)
6. Statement agreeing to provide a final report and to present the research results at a MRA supported Meeting
7. Current and Pending support document
8. Up to three suggested reviewers (optional)