Limited-Submission Grants

LIMITED-SUBMISSION EXTRAMURAL PROGRAMS

Stair-like outdoor sculpture in green space between buildings

These programs restrict the number of annual submissions allowed per institution. For full consideration faculty should submit pre-proposals to RSP by the deadline for internal review and selection. Pre-proposals received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

NEH Summer Fellowship

The federal government cancelled this program for the summer of 2025. As of April 2025, the NEH website indicates that it will not be reoffered and the opportunity was removed from Grants.gov. WWU intends to nominate the 2024 candidate again for the summer of 2026 should the program be reinstated.

National Science Foundation: Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program 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 or development of a multi-user research instrument that is, 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 develop next-generation research instruments 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. WWU may submit 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.  

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. 

 

Pre-proposal Guidelines

Please provide a narrative no more than three pages in length addressing:

  • Names of PIs and co-PIs, description of the instrument, and approximate cost.
  • Why this proposal should be a priority for Western.
  • Any special resource needs and preliminary plan for addressing them. Examples include new space requirements, funding sources for required service contract(s), staff, and site preparation.
  • Any special considerations: e.g., reasons why this proposal is better submitted in this cycle rather than a future one.

Appended documents, outside the 3-page limit:

  • SciENcv biosketches for PIs and co-PIs.
  • If the proposal will be a resubmission, include reviewers’ comments from the most recent submission and a narrative describing plans to address them.
  • If the proposed instrumentation is expected to be housed in a space outside the PIs lab (e.g. AMSEC, STS, department space, etc.), a brief letter of support must be included.

Pre-proposals should be emailed to your college dean by the stated deadline. 

NSF MRI Deadlines

Pre-proposals are due to your College Dean by the third Friday in May annually.

College Deans should forward pre-proposals to rsp@wwu.edu prior to Memorial Day using the subject line "MRI Pre-Proposals"

Preproposal applications will be reviewed by an ad-hoc expert committee with recommendations put forth to the VP of Research.

Priority may be given to previously unsuccessful full proposals in following years.

Prospective applicants will be notified before the end of Spring quarter.

[Updated: April 2025]

 

Keck Foundation Scientific Research Grant

The W. M. Keck Research Program seeks to benefit humanity by supporting Medical Research and Science & Engineering projects that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field.

Past grants have been awarded to major universities, independent research institutions, and medical schools to support pioneering biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation or methodologies.  Grants range from $1 million to $5 million and are typically $2 million or less. 

Keck Research Grant Deadlines

Pre-proposals are due to Vice Provost for Research (rsp@wwu.edu) by February 1 or August 1 annually. If the date falls on a weekend or holiday, proposals are due on the following business day.

Murdock Scientific Research Instrumentation Grant

Funding is intended to support scientific research in the form of major scientific instrumentation. Only applications from scientific research institutions or major universities will be considered. Applications from individuals will not be considered.

Murdock Grant Deadlines

No applications are being accepted 2023-2024.

Questions?

Contact us at rsp@wwu.edu.