Direct comparison
NIH S10 vs NSF MRI Grant Comparison
Compare NIH S10 (SIG/HEI) and NSF MRI: award size, tracks, eligibility, and indirect-cost rules for shared scientific instrumentation grants.
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How do NIH S10 (SIG/HEI), NSF MRI compare side by side?
The table below compares NIH S10 (SIG/HEI), NSF MRI across 10 procurement-relevant dimensions, from administering agency through typical instruments.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | NIH S10 (SIG/HEI) | NSF MRI |
|---|---|---|
| Administering agency | NIH, Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP/DPCPSI) | National Science Foundation (NSF) |
| What it funds | A single high-cost, commercially available instrument for shared use | Acquisition of a commercial instrument OR development of a new instrument with novel capabilities |
| Award range | SIG: $50,000-$750,000. HEI: $750,001-$2,000,000 | Track 1: >$100,000-<$1.4M. Track 2: $1.4M-$4M. Track 3 (helium-conserving): $100,000-$4M |
| Formal applicant | The institution, not an individual PI | The institution, not an individual PI |
| Minimum user group | At least 3 "Major Users," each PD/PI of a distinct active NIH award | Documented multi-user group; no numeric minimum identified in materials reviewed -- confirm against live solicitation |
| Per-institution submission limit | Not identified in materials reviewed -- confirm against the live NOFO | Track 1: up to 2. Track 2: 1. Track 3: 1 (per competition) |
| Cost sharing | Not established from a primary source for this page -- confirm against live NOFO | Waived for new awards for a 5-year period starting FY 2023 -- confirm current status |
| Indirect (F&A) costs | Not permitted -- treated as capital equipment, not a research project | Could not be independently verified for this page -- confirm against live solicitation |
| Current submission status (as of Aug 2026) | NIH reissues SIG/HEI FOAs on a recurring cycle -- confirm current deadline on grants.nih.gov | FY2026 window paused; new submissions anticipated to reopen ~Oct 15-Nov 16, 2026 |
| Typical instruments | Confocal/light microscopes, flow cytometers, sequencers, mass spectrometers, X-ray diffractometers, high-field NMR | Mass spectrometers, NMR systems, imaging platforms, and comparable major multi-user equipment |
Common questions
Common questions about NIH S10 (SIG/HEI) vs NSF MRI
What is the main difference between NIH S10 and NSF MRI?
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They are parallel shared-instrumentation mechanisms from different agencies. NIH S10 (SIG/HEI) is a two-tier program capped at $2,000,000 and built around a minimum of three NIH-funded "Major Users." NSF MRI is a three-track program capped at $4,000,000 that explicitly distinguishes acquisition from development proposals and includes a dedicated track for helium-conserving equipment.
Can a single principal investigator apply for NIH S10 or NSF MRI?
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No. Both programs require the institution, not an individual PI, to be the formal applicant on behalf of a documented multi-user group.
Which program funds larger awards, NIH S10 or NSF MRI?
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NSF MRI's ceiling is higher: up to $4,000,000 under Track 2 or Track 3, compared with S10's High-End Instrumentation (HEI) Grant ceiling of $2,000,000.
Is NSF currently accepting new MRI proposals?
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As of this writing, NSF had paused the previously scheduled FY 2026 MRI submission window to prioritize funding additional FY 2025 cohort proposals, with new submissions anticipated to reopen in a window tentatively scheduled for October 15-November 16, 2026. Confirm current status directly with NSF.
Does either program cover indirect (F&A) costs?
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NIH S10 explicitly does not permit facilities-and-administrative costs to be charged against the award. NSF MRI's indirect-cost treatment could not be independently verified for this page -- confirm against the live MRI solicitation.
