Upcoming

Competition to launch on Arizona Cultivate 7/21/2025 // Limit: 4 (Track 1: Limit 2 // Track 2: Limit 1 // Track 3: Limit 1)

Eligibility

• No more than two submissions in Track 1 (Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than $1,400,000).
• No more than one submission in Track 2 (Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000).
• Track 3: Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than or equal to $4,000,000 that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of helium. Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals.

Program Synopsis
The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI Program Website) serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition of a multi-user research instrument that is commercially available through direct purchase from a vendor, or for the personnel costs and equipment that are required for the development of an instrument with new capabilities, thereby advancing instrumentation capabilities and enhancing expertise for instrument design and fabrication at academic institutions. MRI instruments are, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.

MRI provides support to acquire critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to obtain next-generation research instruments by developing instruments with new capabilities that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.

An MRI proposal may request from NSF up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Each performing organization may submit in revised "Tracks" as defined below, with no more than two (2) submissions in Track 1 and no more than one (1) submission in Track 2. For the newly defined Track 3, no more than one (1) submission per competition is permitted. As a result, it is now possible for an institution to submit up to four MRI proposals within the Track limits as described above.

• Track 1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than $100,0001 and less than $1,400,000.
• Track 2: Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000.
• Track 3: Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,0001 and less than or equal to $4,000,000 that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of helium. Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals.

Cost sharing requirements for new awards in the MRI Program are waived for a period of 5 years beginning with the FY 2023 MRI competition. Institutional submission limits for Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 proposals remain.

The MRI Program especially seeks broad representation of groups, institutions, and geographic regions that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines. Proposals from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities and early-career PIs are encouraged, as are proposals that benefit early-career researchers and proposals with PIs from geographically under-served regions, including EPSCoR jurisdictions. Additionally, proposals are encouraged from under-resourced institutions, including from emerging research institutions, where MRI can significantly build capacity for research.
 

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 2

The submission of this funding program is coordinated by RSD with the assistance of the University of Arizona Foundation. For more information, please contact Cyndi Laughren.
 

The APS Foundation supports programs that enhance academic achievement in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Since 1981, the Foundation has invested more than $44 million in projects throughout Arizona that help prepare students to compete in a 21st century economy.

A workforce proficient in STEM skills is critical to attracting and retaining high-quality businesses and industries to the state. The APS Foundation targets projects that help educators increase content knowledge in STEM subjects as well as the ability to transfer this knowledge effectively to students.

Program Information: 

• Organizations must be registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity in good financial and public standing.
• Programs should demonstrate their ability to improve educational outcomes, increase access and/or offer an innovative approach to learning.
• Programs that support teacher professional development is APS Foundation’s primary focus.
• Programs that impact students, supporting them in achievements in STEM, are the next priority.
• Pilot projects may be funded, and those awards are generally in the $10,000 = $30,000.
• Programs requesting substantial funding (≥$75,000) should demonstrate proof of concept, detailed budget, and have a detailed execution plan.
• Strong measurements for proof of success are essential, especially for higher dollar asks. (At minimum, a pre, during, and post survey or variation of measurement will be required)
• Criteria used for evaluation include sustainability, ability to leverage other funding (not required).
• Programs that serve underserved/under resourced students are well-received.
• All grantees will have specific reporting requirements and must submit a final evaluation before they can be considered for additional funding.

Proposal Tips: 

• Proposals should be written in lay language.
• Multi-year funding is not available.
• New interest in board for AI components in proposals (not required)
• Higher asks will be scrutinized at a higher level. Please ensure you have a solid description, strong success measurements, and have an established program/project for best chance of being successful.
• Proposals that involve medical themes are discouraged from applying as the funder has a separate initiative dedicated to medical themes/programming.
• Seed funding applicants should consider the following questions: What will be measured for the ethicality of the program? What is guiding the assumption for need/success of your proposed project/proposal?  
   

Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 0

K. Huntoon (Neurosurgery)

For the V Foundation V Scholar Grant 2025 funding opportunity, the University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) can nominate one applicant.

For more information please contact: UACC-PreAward.

Purpose of Award:

The UACC is seeking nominations for the V Scholar Grant call which supports adult cancer research. This award supports tenure-track faculty early in their cancer research career by funding projects that are either laboratory-based fundamental research or translational research. Emphasis for this grant mechanism is on supporting exceptional early career investigators at the Assistant Professor stage to be better positioned to leverage large R01 or similar sustaining grants.

Research on ANY adult cancer type will be funded in this call. Research areas not included in this scope are epidemiology, behavioral science, and health services research.

Applicant Eligibility:

Nominee must meet all of the following criteria by the nomination due date:

• Nominated by their Cancer Center Director or similar high ranking research official.
• Employed at a non-profit research institution (e.g., 501c3, Section 170).
• Either a US Citizen or a permanent legal resident in the US.
• Possess at least 2 years post-doctoral (MD or PhD) fellowship training. For MDs, a minimum of one year is acceptable if only one year is required for their specialty.
• Clinical scientists are eligible if the research institution demonstrates that it will fully support the research applicant (e.g., dedicated lab space, committed research time, start-up funds).
• Must be in a full-time tenure track or tenured faculty position (for e.g., must be eligible to
  apply for PI status on an R01 at your institution). Non-promotable adjunct, affiliated, temporary, part-time, or acting faculty positions are not eligible for Principal Investigator nomination.
• V Scholar applicants must have been appointed to their first full-time tenure track Assistant Professor position no more than 5 years prior to the nomination due date, and not yet promoted to Associate Professor.
  • Extensions to the 5-year limit may be given on a case-by-case basis to nominees who took parental leave (or other types of leave) during this window. Please contact grants@v.org with the following to obtain approval BEFORE submitting the nomination form:
    • Appointment start date
    • Length of leave
    • Institutional tenure clock stoppages/extensions, if applicable

Four tracks, see limits below: 

• Departmental/Division Transformation Track (DDTT) – No institutional limits on proposals
• Institutional Transformation Track (ITT) - Limit: 1 // Institutionally Coordinated
• Emerging Faculty Research Track (EFRT) – U of A is NOT ELIGIBLE
• HSI Program Resource Hubs (Hubs) – U of A is NOT (currently) ELIGIBLE  

HSI Initiatives must coordinate the submission for the Institutional Transformation Track or future Resource Hubs proposals. If you are interested in this funding opportunity, please contact Riley McIsaac.