1Office of Proposal Development Federally Funded Instrumentation Grants and How to Compete for Them (TTVN Seminar) Sept. 22, 2008 Lucy Deckard Office of

1Office of Proposal Development

Federally FundedFederally FundedInstrumentation GrantsInstrumentation Grants and How and How

to Compete for Themto Compete for Them(TTVN Seminar)(TTVN Seminar)

Sept. 22, 2008Sept. 22, 2008Lucy DeckardLucy Deckard

Office of Proposal DevelopmentOffice of Proposal [email protected]@tamu.edu

458-4290458-4290


OverviewOverview

OPD – who we areOPD – who we are Available instrumentation funding programsAvailable instrumentation funding programs Common features and strategiesCommon features and strategies Specifics on a few selected programsSpecifics on a few selected programs

Major Research Instrumentation (NSF)Major Research Instrumentation (NSF) Defense University Research Instrumentation Defense University Research Instrumentation

(DoD)(DoD) Grants for Shared Instrumentation (NIH)Grants for Shared Instrumentation (NIH)


VPR/OPD Research Development VPR/OPD Research Development SupportSupport

Workshops, seminars and presentations;Workshops, seminars and presentations; Center level initiatives;Center level initiatives; Multidisciplinary initiatives;Multidisciplinary initiatives; New Faculty Initiative;New Faculty Initiative; Help develop collaborative research activities;Help develop collaborative research activities; Link to System universities and support System Link to System universities and support System

Pathways Initiative;Pathways Initiative; Identify institutional funding opportunitiesIdentify institutional funding opportunities


Check out our WebsiteCheck out our Websitehttp://opd.tamu.edu/ http://opd.tamu.edu/

Funding opportunitiesFunding opportunities Upcoming seminarsUpcoming seminars Proposal resourcesProposal resources Resources for junior facultyResources for junior faculty Craft of Grant Writing workbookCraft of Grant Writing workbook Presentations from past seminarsPresentations from past seminars

To find this presentation with resource extra To find this presentation with resource extra materials, go to http://opd.tamu.edu/seminar-materials, go to http://opd.tamu.edu/seminar-materials and click on today’s datematerials and click on today’s date


Instrumentation ProgramsInstrumentation Programs

Instrumentation for Materials Research (IMR)Instrumentation for Materials Research (IMR) Research Equipment Funding for CTS Div.Research Equipment Funding for CTS Div. Instrumentation for Materials Research – Major Instrumentation for Materials Research – Major

Instrumentation Projects (IMR-MIP)Instrumentation Projects (IMR-MIP) Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and FacilitiesEarth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities Chemistry Research Instrumentation Facilities: Chemistry Research Instrumentation Facilities:

Instrument DevelopmentInstrument Development DoD Instrumentation and Research Support for DoD Instrumentation and Research Support for

HBCU/MIsHBCU/MIs Major Research Instrumentation AwardMajor Research Instrumentation Award


Instrumentation Programs (cont’d)Instrumentation Programs (cont’d)

Grants for Shared Instrumentation (NIH)Grants for Shared Instrumentation (NIH) Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities:

Departmental Multi-User Instrumentation (NSF)Departmental Multi-User Instrumentation (NSF) Defense University Research Instrumentation (DoD)Defense University Research Instrumentation (DoD) High-End Instrumentation Grant (NIH)High-End Instrumentation Grant (NIH) Multi-user Equipment and Instrumentation for Biological Multi-user Equipment and Instrumentation for Biological

Sciences (NSF)Sciences (NSF) Astronomical Sciences Advanced Technologies and Astronomical Sciences Advanced Technologies and

Instrumentation (NSF)Instrumentation (NSF) Instrument Incubator Program (NASA)Instrument Incubator Program (NASA) Extramural Research Facilities Improvement Program Extramural Research Facilities Improvement Program

(NIH)(NIH)


For an up-to-date list with linksFor an up-to-date list with links

See See http://opd.tamu.edu/funding-opportunities/fundinhttp://opd.tamu.edu/funding-opportunities/funding-opportunities-by-category/instrumentation-g-opportunities-by-category/instrumentation-and-equipment and-equipment

Or go to our website at http://opd.tamu.edu Or go to our website at http://opd.tamu.edu Click on “Funding Opportunities”Click on “Funding Opportunities” Click on “Funding Opportunities by Category”Click on “Funding Opportunities by Category” Click on “Instrumentation and Equipment” Click on “Instrumentation and Equipment”


Common FeaturesCommon Features Proposed instruments should enhance projects Proposed instruments should enhance projects

already funded by agencyalready funded by agency Looking for maximum impact for $sLooking for maximum impact for $s

Multiple usersMultiple users Trend toward users from multiple disciplinesTrend toward users from multiple disciplines Enables important researchEnables important research (NSF) Impact on education(NSF) Impact on education Develop new instrumentsDevelop new instruments


More Common FeaturesMore Common Features

Sponsor wants to make sure instrument Sponsor wants to make sure instrument will be taken care of and usedwill be taken care of and used Infrastructure must be availableInfrastructure must be available Researchers have record of active funded Researchers have record of active funded

research, publications, pending proposalsresearch, publications, pending proposals Often require a “management plan”Often require a “management plan”


Things to Find OutThings to Find Out

Where is the funding coming from within the Where is the funding coming from within the agency?agency?

Who reviews the proposals?Who reviews the proposals? How closely must the instrument be tied to How closely must the instrument be tied to

agency-funded projects?agency-funded projects? What are the review criteria?What are the review criteria?

Educational component?Educational component? Outreach component?Outreach component?


Before you start…Before you start…

Is there a limit on number of submissions?Is there a limit on number of submissions? If so, need to go through internal selection If so, need to go through internal selection

processprocess Is there a cost share requirement?Is there a cost share requirement?

If so, start lining up cost share earlyIf so, start lining up cost share early Do they require an official cost quote from Do they require an official cost quote from

vendorvendor??


NSF Major Research InstrumentationNSF Major Research Instrumentation This year’s solicitation not out yet This year’s solicitation not out yet Due Jan. 22, 2009 (tentative)Due Jan. 22, 2009 (tentative) Awards: Awards:

$100K - $ $100K - $ 44M for Ph.D. granting organizationsM for Ph.D. granting organizations Less than $100K allowed for non-PhD granting organizationsLess than $100K allowed for non-PhD granting organizations Less than $100K allowed from mathematical science and social, Less than $100K allowed from mathematical science and social,

behavioral and economic sciencebehavioral and economic science Types of Awards:Types of Awards:

Instrument AcquisitionInstrument Acquisition Instrument DevelopmentInstrument Development

30% cost share30% cost share required except for non PhD-granting required except for non PhD-granting institutionsinstitutions

Gold text: New last year – assume will be same this yearGold text: New last year – assume will be same this year


Major Research Instrumentation Major Research Instrumentation (MRI)(MRI)

Submissions limited to 3 proposals per institutionSubmissions limited to 3 proposals per institution No more than 2 acquisition proposals per institutionNo more than 2 acquisition proposals per institution Check with your administration regarding your Check with your administration regarding your

institution’s internal selection processinstitution’s internal selection process Separate category for non-PhD granting Separate category for non-PhD granting

institutionsinstitutions 20 or fewer PhDs or DSci’s awarded in NSF-20 or fewer PhDs or DSci’s awarded in NSF-

supported fields of science, engineering and math in supported fields of science, engineering and math in the last 2 yearsthe last 2 years


MRI Program GoalsMRI Program Goals

The goals of the MRI program are to:The goals of the MRI program are to: Support the acquisition, through purchase, upgrade, or Support the acquisition, through purchase, upgrade, or

development, of major state-of-the-art instrumentation for development, of major state-of-the-art instrumentation for research, research, research training, and integrated research/education research training, and integrated research/education activities at activities at organizations; organizations;

Improve access to and increase useImprove access to and increase use of modern research and of modern research and research training instrumentation by scientists, engineers, and research training instrumentation by scientists, engineers, and graduate and undergraduate students; graduate and undergraduate students;

Enable academic departments or cross-departmental units to create Enable academic departments or cross-departmental units to create well-equipped learning environmentswell-equipped learning environments that integrate research with that integrate research with education; education;

Foster the development of the next generation of instrumentation for Foster the development of the next generation of instrumentation for research and research training; research and research training;

Promote partnerships between academic researchers and private Promote partnerships between academic researchers and private sector instrument developers.sector instrument developers.


MRI: Eligible Project CostsMRI: Eligible Project Costs Instrument AcquisitionInstrument Acquisition

Instrument purchase, installation, commissioning and Instrument purchase, installation, commissioning and calibration are eligiblecalibration are eligible

Instrument maintenance, operations and research Instrument maintenance, operations and research project costs project costs notnot eligible eligible

Do not put PI support, graduate student RAs, etc. on Do not put PI support, graduate student RAs, etc. on budgetbudget

Instrument DevelopmentInstrument Development Parts, materials needed for constructionParts, materials needed for construction Commissioning costs and direct and indirect costs Commissioning costs and direct and indirect costs

associated with support of personnel “directly associated with support of personnel “directly engaged strictly in the instrument development effort”engaged strictly in the instrument development effort”


MRI: Eligible EquipmentMRI: Eligible Equipment

Can be more than one piece but must share Can be more than one piece but must share common purposecommon purpose

Cannot be assorted instruments that “do not Cannot be assorted instruments that “do not share a common or specific research or share a common or specific research or research training focus”research training focus”

Cannot be “instrumentation requested primarily Cannot be “instrumentation requested primarily for standard science and engineering courses”for standard science and engineering courses”


MRI: Review CriteriaMRI: Review Criteria

Intellectual MeritIntellectual Merit Importance in advancing knowledge and understanding in own Importance in advancing knowledge and understanding in own

field and across different fieldsfield and across different fields How well-qualified is the proposer or team?How well-qualified is the proposer or team? Creativity and originalityCreativity and originality Access to sufficient resources?Access to sufficient resources?

Broader ImpactsBroader Impacts Advance discovery, understanding while promoting teaching, Advance discovery, understanding while promoting teaching,

training and learningtraining and learning Broaden participation of under-represented groupsBroaden participation of under-represented groups Enhancement of infrastructureEnhancement of infrastructure Dissemination of resultsDissemination of results Benefits to societyBenefits to society


MRI: Review CriteriaMRI: Review Criteria

Integration of Research and EducationIntegration of Research and Education Integrating Diversity Integrating Diversity Plans for enhancing research capability in Plans for enhancing research capability in

teaching, training or learningteaching, training or learning Instrument Acquisition Proposals: Instrument Acquisition Proposals:

Management Plan Management Plan Sufficient infrastructure and expertise to allow Sufficient infrastructure and expertise to allow

effective usage of instrument; effective usage of instrument; Organizational commitments for operations and Organizational commitments for operations and

maintenancemaintenance


MRI: Review CriteriaMRI: Review Criteria Instrument Development ProposalsInstrument Development Proposals

Management PlanManagement Plan Realistic scheduleRealistic schedule Mechanisms to deal with potential risksMechanisms to deal with potential risks Availability of appropriate technical expertise to Availability of appropriate technical expertise to

design and construct the instrumentdesign and construct the instrument Cost of the new technologyCost of the new technology

RationaleRationale Will proposed instrument enable new types of Will proposed instrument enable new types of

measurement or information gathering?measurement or information gathering?


Features of Competitive MRI Features of Competitive MRI ProposalsProposals

Many users from multiple disciplinesMany users from multiple disciplines Impact on NSF-funded researchImpact on NSF-funded research Clear description of research that would Clear description of research that would

not otherwise be possible enabled by not otherwise be possible enabled by instrumentinstrument

Clear description of educational Clear description of educational experiences that would not otherwise be experiences that would not otherwise be possible and their benefitspossible and their benefits

Preliminary data from similar instrumentPreliminary data from similar instrument


Features of Competitive MRI Features of Competitive MRI Proposals (cont’d)Proposals (cont’d)

Strong connection to educationStrong connection to education Details describing numbers of graduate, Details describing numbers of graduate,

undergraduate students impactedundergraduate students impacted Involvement of under-represented groupsInvolvement of under-represented groups

E.g., researchers from minority serving institutionsE.g., researchers from minority serving institutions Work with students from under-represented groupsWork with students from under-represented groups

Outreach component (e.g., teachers, high Outreach component (e.g., teachers, high school students, etc.)school students, etc.)

Well thought-out management planWell thought-out management plan


Pitfalls to AvoidPitfalls to Avoid

Beware extra bells and whistles on your Beware extra bells and whistles on your instrument that aren’t explicitly justified by the instrument that aren’t explicitly justified by the listed research projectslisted research projects

Avoid vague or generic research project Avoid vague or generic research project descriptions that don’t strongly tie the success of descriptions that don’t strongly tie the success of the project to the instrumentthe project to the instrument

Beware vague references to education and Beware vague references to education and outreachoutreach


Review Process for MRIsReview Process for MRIs

Within directorate for requests below $600K - $800KWithin directorate for requests below $600K - $800K NSF-wide for larger requestsNSF-wide for larger requests

Must appeal both to directorate and across directoratesMust appeal both to directorate and across directorates

Very few awards at highest level ($2 M and above)Very few awards at highest level ($2 M and above) Go to MRI page Go to MRI page

(http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?(http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5260&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=fund ) and pims_id=5260&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=fund ) and click on “Abstracts of Recent Awards” to view 2008 click on “Abstracts of Recent Awards” to view 2008 awards with amounts and abstractsawards with amounts and abstracts


Advice for Preparing an MRI Advice for Preparing an MRI ProposalProposal

Get letters of collaboration from users outside Get letters of collaboration from users outside your institution your institution

Emphasize impact on NSF-funded programsEmphasize impact on NSF-funded programs What science will having instrument enable?What science will having instrument enable? What educational experiences will be enabled?What educational experiences will be enabled?

Be sure to discuss similar instruments available Be sure to discuss similar instruments available nearby and explain why need one herenearby and explain why need one here


Texas A&M System MRI WinnersTexas A&M System MRI Winners Kevin Storr – PVAMUKevin Storr – PVAMU

““MRI: Acquisition of a Dilution Refrigerator with Tunnel Diode MRI: Acquisition of a Dilution Refrigerator with Tunnel Diode System”System”

DMR programDMR program Joe Fox – TAMU-CCJoe Fox – TAMU-CC

““Acquisition of Amino Acid Analyzer for Enhancement of Acquisition of Amino Acid Analyzer for Enhancement of Research/Teaching at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi” Research/Teaching at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi”

BIO directorateBIO directorate Eugene Billiot – TAMU-CCEugene Billiot – TAMU-CC

Winner of 3 MRIs (CHE program)Winner of 3 MRIs (CHE program) David Parker – WTAMUDavid Parker – WTAMU

““Acquisition of a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer-Acquisition of a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer-Olfactometer for Characterization of Environmental Odors of Olfactometer for Characterization of Environmental Odors of Arbitrary Composition”Arbitrary Composition”

ENG Directorate ENG Directorate


Texas A&M System MRI WinnersTexas A&M System MRI Winners Antoine Carty – PVAMUAntoine Carty – PVAMU

““Acquisition of a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Acquisition of a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer “Spectrometer “

Chemistry DivisionChemistry Division Michael Gyamerah – PVAMUMichael Gyamerah – PVAMU

““MRI: Acquisition of research instrumentation for applied research and MRI: Acquisition of research instrumentation for applied research and training in biotechnology and bioprocess engineering”training in biotechnology and bioprocess engineering”

ENG directorateENG directorate Thomas Naehr – TAMU-CCThomas Naehr – TAMU-CC

““Acquisition of a Powder X-ray Diffraction System for Earth Science Acquisition of a Powder X-ray Diffraction System for Earth Science Research and Education”Research and Education”

GEO directorateGEO directorate Carol Thompson – Tarleton State UniversityCarol Thompson – Tarleton State University

““MRI/RUI: Acquisition of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission MRI/RUI: Acquisition of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES)” Spectrometer (ICP-AES)”

CHE divisionCHE division


Texas A&M System MRI WinnersTexas A&M System MRI Winners Kuruvilla John – TAMU-KKuruvilla John – TAMU-K

““Acquisition of a GCMS for the study of Hydrocarbons in the South Texas Acquisition of a GCMS for the study of Hydrocarbons in the South Texas Environment”Environment”

ENG directorateENG directorate Daniel Marble – Tarleton State Univ.Daniel Marble – Tarleton State Univ.

““MRI/RUI: High Sensitivity Profiling of Hydrogen and Nitrogen Using MRI/RUI: High Sensitivity Profiling of Hydrogen and Nitrogen Using Nuclear Reaction Analysis”Nuclear Reaction Analysis”

DMR DivisionDMR Division Kirk Cammarata – TAMU-CCKirk Cammarata – TAMU-CC

““MRI/RUI: Acquisition of a Digital Imaging System to Support Research and MRI/RUI: Acquisition of a Digital Imaging System to Support Research and Research Training in Applications of Molecular Biology”Research Training in Applications of Molecular Biology”

BIO directorate BIO directorate

Patrick Larkin – TAMU – CCPatrick Larkin – TAMU – CC ““MRI: Instrumentation for the Chemical and Biological MRI: Instrumentation for the Chemical and Biological

Characterization of Factors Affecting the Distribution and Phytoremediation Characterization of Factors Affecting the Distribution and Phytoremediation of Seagrasses in Coastal Bays and Estuaries” of Seagrasses in Coastal Bays and Estuaries”


For copies of successful MRI For copies of successful MRI proposals, e-mail me at proposals, e-mail me at

[email protected]@tamu.edu


Defense University Research Defense University Research Instrumentation ProgramInstrumentation Program

Last cycle due August 26, 2008Last cycle due August 26, 2008 For the acquisition of major equipment to augment For the acquisition of major equipment to augment

current or develop new research capabilities in support current or develop new research capabilities in support of DoD-relevant researchof DoD-relevant research

$50K - $1 M; average award $205K$50K - $1 M; average award $205K Funded by ONR, ARO, AFOSRFunded by ONR, ARO, AFOSR No cost sharing requiredNo cost sharing required $40 million available for FY 2008; in FY 2007 made 201 $40 million available for FY 2008; in FY 2007 made 201

awardsawards http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-

080605-018.pdf080605-018.pdf


DURIP – Things to KnowDURIP – Things to Know

Closely tied to enhancement of funded/pending Closely tied to enhancement of funded/pending agency researchagency research

Talk to program officer first Talk to program officer first Program officers highly involved in review processProgram officers highly involved in review process Program officers communicate across agencies (can Program officers communicate across agencies (can

identify primary and secondary reviewing agencies)identify primary and secondary reviewing agencies) Need multiple users with DoD funding Need multiple users with DoD funding


DURIP Review CriteriaDURIP Review Criteria Impact of equipment on current or future DoD Impact of equipment on current or future DoD

projectsprojects Scientific merits and potential contribution to DoD Scientific merits and potential contribution to DoD

mission researchmission research Potential to enhance education through research of Potential to enhance education through research of

future scientists and engineers in areas important future scientists and engineers in areas important to DoDto DoD

Past performance and capability of institution to Past performance and capability of institution to operate and maintain equipmentoperate and maintain equipment

Past performance and qualifications of PI and other Past performance and qualifications of PI and other personnel to conduct research of interest to DoDpersonnel to conduct research of interest to DoD

Realism and reasonableness of costRealism and reasonableness of cost


Grants for Shared Instrumentation Grants for Shared Instrumentation (NIH)(NIH)

NIH National Center for Research ResourcesNIH National Center for Research Resources Last cycle due March 24, 2008 Last cycle due March 24, 2008 For Instrumentation $100K - $500KFor Instrumentation $100K - $500K Three major users must be PIs on NIH peer-reviewed Three major users must be PIs on NIH peer-reviewed

research grants (research grants (P01, R01, U01, R35, or R37).P01, R01, U01, R35, or R37). Show a clear need for the instrumentation by projects Show a clear need for the instrumentation by projects

supported by multiple NIH peer review research grants supported by multiple NIH peer review research grants Demonstrate that these projects will require at least 75 Demonstrate that these projects will require at least 75

percent of the total usage of the instrumentpercent of the total usage of the instrument http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-

08-036.html 08-036.html


Grant for Shared InstrumentationGrant for Shared Instrumentation Instrument should be integrated into a core Instrument should be integrated into a core

facility whenever possible facility whenever possible Promote shared usePromote shared use Foster a collaborative multi-disciplinary environmentFoster a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment

Review criteria:Review criteria: NeedNeed Technical ExpertiseTechnical Expertise Research ProjectsResearch Projects Administration (management, maintenance, advisory Administration (management, maintenance, advisory

committee, etc.)committee, etc.) Institutional commitmentInstitutional commitment Benefit to overall research communityBenefit to overall research community


Including Equipment on Your Including Equipment on Your Research GrantResearch Grant

Purchase of special-purpose equipment that is Purchase of special-purpose equipment that is necessary for your research may be allowed necessary for your research may be allowed within limitswithin limits

Check the agencies policies and talk to other Check the agencies policies and talk to other faculty who have been funded by that agencyfaculty who have been funded by that agency NSF: Equipment (> $5K per unit) allowed if necessary NSF: Equipment (> $5K per unit) allowed if necessary

for proposed research; not otherwise reasonably for proposed research; not otherwise reasonably available. Check what amounts are customary for available. Check what amounts are customary for your program and directorate.your program and directorate.

NIH: “Avoid asking for expensive equipment unless NIH: “Avoid asking for expensive equipment unless you absolutely need it; if you do, justify it well.”you absolutely need it; if you do, justify it well.”


NSF Course Curriculum and NSF Course Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI)Laboratory Improvement (CCLI)

Introduce new content into undergraduate STEM Introduce new content into undergraduate STEM education based on recent advances in research on education based on recent advances in research on STEM learning and teachingSTEM learning and teaching

Instrumentation for undergraduate education can be Instrumentation for undergraduate education can be included included but must be part of a larger educational but must be part of a larger educational projectproject

Phase 1 up to $150K for 1 – 3 yrs; Phase 2 (build on Phase 1 up to $150K for 1 – 3 yrs; Phase 2 (build on smaller-scale projects) $500K for 2 – 4 yrs; Phase 3 smaller-scale projects) $500K for 2 – 4 yrs; Phase 3 (large scale efforts) $2M for 3 – 5 years(large scale efforts) $2M for 3 – 5 years

Due January 12, 2009 (Phase 2 and 3); Phase 1 Due January 12, 2009 (Phase 2 and 3); Phase 1 proposals due in Mayproposals due in May

Solicitation at Solicitation at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5741&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=fundpims_id=5741&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=fund


Questions?Questions?

Documents

1Office of Proposal Development Federally Funded Instrumentation Grants and How to Compete for Them (TTVN Seminar) Sept. 22, 2008 Lucy Deckard Office of