Opportunity Information: Apply for 13 567
Apply for 13 567
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mid Scale Innovations Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 4, 2013 and posted on Jul 9, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 12, 2014 Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposers local time) September 16, 2013 Full Proposal Deadline(s) March 12, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $40,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Mid Scale Innovations Program (MSIP) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity created by the Division of Astronomical Sciences in response to recommendations from the 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey. The program is designed to fill a strategic gap between small research awards and very large flagship observatories by supporting mid-scale astronomy projects that can deliver impactful science on a timely schedule. MSIP targets a broad range of astronomical activities and technologies, with project costs reaching as high as $40 million, and it is framed to enable multiple promising efforts rather than a single monolithic facility.
MSIP is structured around four distinct subcategories meant to cover different kinds of mid-scale needs in the community. First, it supports limited-term, self-contained science projects, which are typically focused efforts with clear endpoints and deliverables. Second, it funds longer-term mid-scale facilities, which can involve building, operating, or significantly upgrading shared infrastructure that serves broader scientific users over time. Third, it includes development investments for future mid-scale and large-scale projects, meaning early-stage or enabling work such as technology maturation, prototyping, or design efforts that position the community for bigger future builds. Fourth, it supports community open-access capabilities, emphasizing resources, tools, or services that are broadly usable by astronomers (for example, instrumentation access models, facility-like data systems, or data management capabilities that expand the communitys ability to do science).
A key emphasis of the program is that proposals must pair strong scientific merit with a credible and well-developed plan for education and workforce development. MSIP explicitly highlights student training and meaningful involvement of a diverse and inclusive workforce, particularly in areas central to mid-scale efforts such as instrumentation development, facility development, and data management. In practice, this signals that NSF expects teams to go beyond general statements of intent and to present concrete approaches for mentoring, training pipelines, and inclusive participation integrated into the technical and scientific work.
From an administrative standpoint, MSIP is offered as a discretionary funding opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement mechanism, which typically implies substantial NSF engagement during project execution relative to a standard grant. The opportunity falls under the NSF Mathematical and Physical Sciences CFDA listing 47.049 and sits within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category. The total estimated funding associated with the solicitation is $40,000,000, with an anticipated number of about four awards. Individual awards are expected to fall between an award floor of $4,000,000 and a ceiling of $40,000,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to applicant types, subject to any clarifications that may have been included in the full solicitation text. The opportunity was posted July 9, 2013 (NSF Publication 13-567). It used a two-stage submission process with a required preliminary proposal due September 16, 2013 (by 5 p.m. local time), followed by a full proposal deadline that ultimately closed March 12, 2014 (after an earlier February 21, 2014 date was listed). The archive date is April 12, 2014. For access or submission issues, the announcement points applicants to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
In short, MSIP is NSF Astronomical Sciences push to accelerate high-value, mid-scale astronomy projects up to $40M by supporting both near-term science deliverables and enabling capabilities, while also requiring proposers to embed serious training and inclusive workforce development into the core of their project plans.
Mid Scale Innovations Program (MSIP) - FAQs
What is the Mid Scale Innovations Program (MSIP)?
The Mid Scale Innovations Program (MSIP) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity created by the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences. It was developed in response to recommendations from the 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey and is intended to support impactful mid-scale astronomy projects on a timely schedule.
Why was MSIP created?
MSIP was created to fill a strategic gap between small research awards and very large flagship observatories. The program is designed to enable multiple promising mid-scale efforts rather than concentrating resources into a single monolithic facility.
What types of projects does MSIP support?
MSIP targets a broad range of astronomical activities and technologies and is organized into four subcategories: limited-term self-contained science projects, longer-term mid-scale facilities, development investments for future mid-scale and large-scale projects, and community open-access capabilities.
What are "limited-term, self-contained science projects" under MSIP?
These are typically focused projects with clear endpoints and defined deliverables. They are intended to produce strong scientific outcomes within a limited timeframe and with a contained scope.
What are "longer-term mid-scale facilities" under MSIP?
This subcategory supports projects that build, operate, or significantly upgrade shared infrastructure that serves a broader set of scientific users over time. The emphasis is on facility-like capabilities that enable ongoing community science.
What are "development investments" under MSIP?
Development investments support early-stage or enabling work that positions the community for larger future builds. Examples described in the opportunity include technology maturation, prototyping, or design efforts aimed at future mid-scale or large-scale projects.
What are "community open-access capabilities" under MSIP?
This category emphasizes resources, tools, or services that are broadly usable by astronomers. The opportunity notes examples such as instrumentation access models, facility-like data systems, or data management capabilities that expand the community's ability to do science.
What is the maximum project cost MSIP can support?
MSIP supports mid-scale projects with project costs reaching as high as $40 million.
How much total funding was estimated for this solicitation?
The total estimated funding associated with the solicitation is $40,000,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The solicitation anticipated about four awards.
What is the expected award size range?
Individual awards were expected to range from a floor of $4,000,000 to a ceiling of $40,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity.
What NSF mechanism is used for MSIP awards?
MSIP is offered as a discretionary funding opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement mechanism.
What does it imply that MSIP uses a Cooperative Agreement mechanism?
The opportunity notes that a Cooperative Agreement typically implies substantial NSF engagement during project execution compared to a standard grant.
Which NSF organizational unit offered MSIP?
MSIP was created by the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences.
What is the key emphasis beyond scientific merit?
Proposals are expected to pair strong scientific merit with a credible, well-developed plan for education and workforce development.
What does MSIP expect regarding education and workforce development plans?
MSIP explicitly highlights student training and meaningful involvement of a diverse and inclusive workforce, particularly in areas central to mid-scale efforts such as instrumentation development, facility development, and data management. The description indicates NSF expects concrete approaches such as mentoring plans, training pipelines, and inclusive participation integrated into the technical and scientific work.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is broadly open to applicant types, subject to any clarifications that may have been included in the full solicitation text.
What CFDA listing is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under the NSF Mathematical and Physical Sciences CFDA listing 47.049.
What activity category is MSIP associated with?
It sits within the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity category.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on July 9, 2013 and referenced as NSF Publication 13-567.
Did MSIP use a preliminary proposal stage?
Yes. MSIP used a two-stage submission process with a required preliminary proposal.
When was the preliminary proposal due?
The required preliminary proposal deadline was September 16, 2013, by 5 p.m. local time.
When was the full proposal due?
The full proposal deadline ultimately closed March 12, 2014. The description notes an earlier February 21, 2014 date was listed before the final close date.
What is the archive date for this opportunity?
The archive date is April 12, 2014.
Where should applicants go for access or submission issues related to Grants.gov?
For access or submission issues, applicants are directed to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
What is the overall goal of MSIP in plain terms?
MSIP is NSF Astronomical Sciences effort to accelerate high-value, mid-scale astronomy projects (up to $40M) by supporting both near-term science deliverables and enabling capabilities, while requiring teams to embed serious student training and inclusive workforce development into the core of their project plans.
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