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NSF Instrumentation for Materials Research (IMR) Program (07-600): FAQs

What is the NSF Instrumentation for Materials Research (IMR) program?

The Instrumentation for Materials Research (IMR) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 07-600) focused on funding the acquisition and/or development of research instrumentation that strengthens materials research capabilities in research-intensive environments.

What is the main purpose of IMR funding?

The purpose of IMR is to help institutions obtain or build advanced research tools that either create entirely new measurement or fabrication capabilities or substantially improve existing ones. NSF expects these instruments to enable higher-impact materials research and to strengthen the connection between research and education.

What kinds of instrumentation does IMR support?

IMR supports instrumentation that directly advances fundamental materials science. This includes tools used to measure, fabricate, synthesize, process, and/or characterize materials, especially where the instrument enables new capabilities or provides substantial improvements (such as resolution, sensitivity, throughput, or new characterization modes).

What outcomes does NSF emphasize for IMR-supported instruments?

NSF frames IMR outcomes in three areas: (1) enabling discovery of new, fundamental phenomena in materials by making previously impossible or impractical experiments/observations feasible; (2) improving the ability to synthesize, process, and/or characterize materials (including insight into composition, structure, properties, and performance); and (3) improving the overall quality and scope of research while fostering integration of research and education.

Does IMR focus on fundamental materials science or applied work?

Based on the program description provided, IMR emphasizes instrumentation that directly advances fundamental materials science, particularly where new scientific discovery and improved materials understanding are enabled by the instrument.

Is the program more suited for buying equipment or developing/building new instruments?

IMR is described as funding both acquisition and/or development of research instrumentation. That includes purchasing advanced tools as well as building or developing instruments that introduce new capabilities or significantly improve existing capabilities.

Does IMR encourage shared-use or broadly accessible instrumentation?

Yes. The program description highlights improving the quality and scope of research and fostering the integration of research and education, often implying shared-use or broadly accessible equipment that supports multiple projects, trains students and researchers, and strengthens a broader research ecosystem.

How much total funding is available and how many awards are expected?

The estimated total program funding level for the referenced cycle is about $4,000,000, with an expected number of awards around 25.

What type of award instrument is used?

Funding is provided as grants.

Is cost-sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity. This generally means applicants are not required to commit institutional matching funds as a condition of eligibility, although institutions may still choose to contribute resources depending on NSF norms and specific solicitation details.

Which CFDA and NSF directorate/category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences) and is categorized as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to specific U.S.-based organizations: U.S. academic institutions of higher education, independent nonprofit research organizations, research museums, and legally incorporated consortia of eligible entities.

Are individuals eligible to apply directly?

The eligibility information provided specifies organizations (institutions, nonprofits, museums, and consortia). It does not indicate that individuals may apply directly.

What is meant by an "organization limit" in the solicitation?

The solicitation notes an organization limit, meaning proposals must be submitted by organizations that fall into the eligible categories described. Any additional constraints would be detailed in the formal program announcement (NSF Publication 07-600).

When are full proposals due?

The solicitation indicates that full proposals are due on the second Thursday in January each year. A historical closing date shown is January 14, 2010.

What are the posting date and status shown for this opportunity?

The posting date listed is March 4, 2009. The record notes the NSF status as "on hold pending a new publication," suggesting the program announcement may have been awaiting an updated solicitation at that time.

How should applicants confirm whether the solicitation is current?

Because the opportunity status is described as on hold pending a new publication, applicants would normally be expected to confirm the currently active solicitation, due dates, and any updated requirements before preparing a submission.

Where can applicants find detailed requirements and guidance?

The opportunity references NSF Publication 07-600 as the source for detailed guidance on proposal content, allowable costs, review criteria, and program-specific expectations (including instrumentation scope, management plans, user access, and broader impacts related to education and training).

Who should be contacted for help accessing the announcement through Grants.gov?

For difficulty accessing the announcement through Grants.gov, the contact provided is NSF's Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

What role does education and training play in IMR proposals?

IMR explicitly values instrumentation that fosters integration of research and education. The program description emphasizes instruments that support training of students and researchers and that strengthen the link between research activity and educational impact.

What kinds of improvements to existing instrumentation align with IMR goals?

The description points to substantial improvements such as higher resolution, greater sensitivity, increased throughput, or new modes of characterization, as well as improved capabilities for materials synthesis, processing, and analysis.

Does the program expect the instrument to support multiple projects?

The description suggests IMR often implies shared-use or broadly accessible equipment supporting multiple projects and users, with benefits extending across a research ecosystem rather than serving a single narrow purpose.