Academic Research Infrastructure Program Recovery and Reinvestment (ARI R) | Apply Online

Academic Research Infrastructure Program Recovery and Reinvestment (ARI-R) - FAQs

What is the ARI-R program?

The Academic Research Infrastructure Program Recovery and Reinvestment (ARI-R) was a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Its purpose was to modernize and strengthen the U.S. academic research facility base by upgrading existing research and research training environments.

Why did NSF create ARI-R?

NSF framed ARI-R around a growing mismatch between rapidly advancing science and engineering and the condition of many existing campus research spaces. The program was positioned as a time-sensitive investment to address deferred repair and renovation needs and to help institutions support cutting-edge, collaborative, 21st-century research and training.

What kinds of projects did ARI-R prioritize?

ARI-R focused on improving existing research facilities rather than building entirely new ones. Priority activities included renovating, repairing, and updating spaces where sponsored and unsponsored research and research training take place, with an emphasis on creating next-generation environments that support shared use across multiple users and communities.

Did ARI-R fund construction of entirely new buildings?

The program’s core emphasis was on renovating, repairing, and updating existing facilities. It was oriented toward improving existing research spaces rather than building entirely new ones.

What is meant by “next generation” research environments in ARI-R?

In ARI-R, “next generation” research environments referred to upgraded facilities designed to support modern, collaborative, shared-use research. This includes physical and technical improvements that better enable cross-disciplinary and community-based use of research spaces.

Was shared use of facilities an important goal?

Yes. A major theme of ARI-R was enabling collaborative research and strengthening shared capacity by modernizing the physical and technical infrastructure of research and research training spaces so multiple users and communities could benefit.

How did ARI-R address research training and education?

The opportunity emphasized upgrading research and research training environments and highlighted improvements that help integrate research and education within modernized facilities.

Did ARI-R include a focus on access and participation?

Yes. The solicitation emphasized improving access to upgraded facilities for researchers, educators, and students. It also specifically encouraged improvements that would broaden participation by helping organizations that historically received limited federal research and development funding strengthen their research environments.

Could ARI-R funds be used for cyberinfrastructure upgrades?

Yes. A distinctive feature of ARI-R was support for renovation projects that include the addition or augmentation of cyberinfrastructure as part of facility modernization, particularly when it enhances research and connects user communities.

What types of cyberinfrastructure were encouraged?

The solicitation highlighted cyberinfrastructure improvements that enhance research and connect user communities, especially when embedded in or tightly linked to renovated research environments. Examples described at a high level included specialized networking, instrumentation support systems, visualization environments, and other facility-integrated cyberinfrastructure.

What cyberinfrastructure purchases were explicitly not the focus?

The solicitation explicitly excluded using ARI-R as a general-purpose computing or generic data storage funding source. In other words, it was not intended as a blanket program for standard IT hardware refreshes.

What funding instrument did NSF use for ARI-R awards?

ARI-R was offered as a discretionary NSF program using a cooperative agreement funding instrument.

How much total funding did NSF anticipate for ARI-R?

NSF estimated a total program funding level of $200,000,000.

How many awards did NSF anticipate making?

NSF anticipated making about 120 awards.

What was the award size range for ARI-R?

Individual awards ranged from a minimum of $250,000 to a maximum of $10,000,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was restricted to U.S.-based institutions and nonprofit research organizations with appropriate organizational standing. Eligible applicants included accredited U.S. universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States or its territories and possessions.

Could multi-campus university systems apply?

Yes, in the sense that distinct campuses in multi-campus systems that function independently could qualify as separate applicant institutions. The solicitation described independence in terms such as awarding their own degrees and having separate administrative structures.

Were nonprofit research organizations eligible?

Yes. The program allowed applications from independent nonprofit research museums, independent nonprofit research institutions and laboratories, and nonprofit research consortia located in the United States.

Were nonprofit research consortia eligible, and were there any conditions?

Yes. Nonprofit research consortia located in the U.S. were eligible, with the solicitation indicating that consortia generally needed 501(c)(3) status and an independent administrative and financial structure.

Could collaborations include other organizations?

Collaborations could include other organizations, but only eligible organizations could receive NSF funds directly under this opportunity.

Could foreign organizations receive NSF funds under ARI-R?

No. Foreign organizations could not receive NSF funds under this opportunity.

Could for-profit firms apply or receive funds directly?

The solicitation excluded research arms of for-profit firms from receiving funds directly. However, for-profit companies (such as construction, engineering, and architecture providers) could participate and be paid through subawards to carry out renovation and repair work.

Were Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) eligible?

No. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) were excluded from receiving funds under ARI-R.

Did ARI-R include Recovery Act restrictions on certain facility types?

Yes. Because ARI-R was funded through the Recovery Act, statutory restrictions prohibited the use of funds by state or local governments or private entities for facilities such as casinos or other gambling establishments, aquariums, zoos, golf courses, or swimming pools.

When was the ARI-R opportunity posted?

The funding opportunity (NSF Publication / Funding Opportunity Number 09-562) was posted on May 11, 2009.

Was a letter of intent required?

Yes. A letter of intent was required.

When was the letter of intent due?

The required letter of intent was due July 1, 2009, by 5 p.m. local time.

When were full proposals due?

Full proposals were due August 24, 2009.

What was the CFDA listing for ARI-R?

The CFDA listing was 47.082 (Trans NSF Recovery Act Research Support).

What was the overall intent of ARI-R in one sentence?

ARI-R was designed as a rapid, high-impact Recovery Act investment to renovate and modernize research facilities, expand shared and cross-disciplinary capacity, and improve the quality and accessibility of research and training environments across U.S. higher education and nonprofit research organizations.