Opportunity Information: Apply for 17 592
The Mid-Scale Innovations Program (MSIP) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity run through the Division of Astronomical Sciences to support mid-scale astronomy projects that are considered too large for typical individual-investigator awards but smaller than major flagship facilities. The program was recommended by the 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey as a way to move forward many high-promise projects that can deliver important scientific results on a timely schedule. MSIP is aimed at enabling a range of astronomical activities, including building or upgrading instruments and facilities, developing capabilities that benefit the broader community, and making targeted investments that help mature concepts for future mid- and large-scale efforts.
A defining feature of MSIP is its funding scale and structure. Awards can be as large as $30,000,000 (the stated award ceiling), and the solicitation anticipated roughly four awards. The opportunity is a discretionary grant program under the NSF research and development mission area (CFDA 47.049). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals can generally come from any type of organization, as long as they meet any specific eligibility clarifications described in the full solicitation text. The original solicitation was created August 24, 2017, with an original closing date of April 6, 2018.
MSIP is formally divided into four subcategories, which together cover a broad span of mid-scale needs in astronomy and astrophysics. First are limited-term, self-contained science projects, which are designed to deliver clear scientific outcomes within a defined project period. Second are longer-term mid-scale facilities, which focus on sustained infrastructure that supports ongoing research, such as observatory capabilities or other enduring platforms. Third are development investments that help position future mid-scale or large-scale projects for success, essentially supporting the work needed to mature technologies, designs, or plans so that larger efforts become feasible and competitive later. Fourth are community open-access capabilities, which emphasize resources or systems that are broadly available to the astronomy community, such as shared instruments, data-related infrastructure, or other enabling tools that expand access and scientific reach.
Beyond the technical and scientific goals, MSIP places explicit weight on people and workforce development. Proposals are expected to show strong scientific merit while also presenting a well-developed plan for student training and meaningful participation. The solicitation highlights the importance of involving a diverse workforce in the work of instrumentation, facility development, or data management, signaling that competitive projects should integrate workforce inclusion and training into the core project plan rather than treating it as an afterthought. In practice, this means proposals should typically lay out how students and early-career researchers will gain hands-on experience, what roles they will play, and how the project will broaden participation and strengthen pathways into the field.
In short, MSIP is NSF astronomy’s mechanism for funding ambitious, mid-scale projects up to $30 million that can rapidly advance scientific discovery while also building community capability and investing in the next generation of researchers and technical talent. It supports everything from focused, time-bounded science efforts to longer-lived facilities and shared community infrastructure, with an emphasis on clear science impact, credible execution planning, and strong training and diversity components.Apply for 17 592
- 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 24, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 06, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Urban Initiative: Engage New Audiences through Inclusive Stories in Boston’s Early Maritime History
Previous opportunity: Sound and Light Ecology Research
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 17 592
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (17 592) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Research Coordination Networks (RCN) Apply for 17 594 Funding Number: 17 594 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| High-Energy-Density Laboratory Plasma Science Apply for DE FOA0001801 Funding Number: DE FOA0001801 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Ethnographic Overview and Assessment Apply for P17AS00760 Funding Number: P17AS00760 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Research and Document the Agricultural Land Use and Early Settlement Economy of Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park and Evaluate the Cultural Landscape of the Bowman-Hite Farm. Apply for P17AC00766 Funding Number: P17AC00766 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| National Historic Landmark Nomination for Tolson’s Chapel, Sharpsburg, Maryland Apply for P17AS00764 Funding Number: P17AS00764 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $28,733 |
| Develop Historic Resource Study for Meridian Hill Park and its relation to the Civil Rights Movement Apply for P17AS00765 Funding Number: P17AS00765 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $57,850 |
| Ephemeral Tributary Sediment Transport Measurement Apply for BOR DO 17 N032 Funding Number: BOR DO 17 N032 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $210,000 |
| Drug Early Warning Signals from High Risk Populations Apply for ONDCP DEW 2017 Funding Number: ONDCP DEW 2017 Agency: Office of National Drug Control Policy Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Time-Varying Nuclear Decay Parameters Apply for CRANBAA18 001 Funding Number: CRANBAA18 001 Agency: Department of Defense, NSWC - CRANE Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Development of a Web-based System to Geoenable NER Parks and Programs Apply for NPS 17 NERO 0207 Funding Number: NPS 17 NERO 0207 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Units Apply for F17AS00450 Funding Number: F17AS00450 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit Apply for F17AS00449 Funding Number: F17AS00449 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| SILICON CARBIDE HIGH-VOLTAGE POWER SWITCHES Apply for W911NF17S0003 SCHVPS Funding Number: W911NF17S0003 SCHVPS Agency: Department of Defense, Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| SILICON CARBIDE ADVANCED PACKAGING OF POWER SEMICONDUCTORS II Apply for W911NF17S0003 SCAPOPS Funding Number: W911NF17S0003 SCAPOPS Agency: Department of Defense, Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Mine Drainage Technology Initiative (MDTI) Cooperative Agreement Program Apply for S17AS00005 Funding Number: S17AS00005 Agency: Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Create Thematic Web Exhibits Highlighting Civil Rights Movement using NCR Museum Collections Apply for P17AS00794 Funding Number: P17AS00794 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $51,600 |
| National Water Trail Conceptual Plan Apply for P17AS00804 Funding Number: P17AS00804 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $46,000 |
| Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation Apply for F17AS00453 Funding Number: F17AS00453 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| STATEMAP - The State Component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program Apply for G18AS00006 Funding Number: G18AS00006 Agency: Department of the Interior, Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Survey to Assess the Status of the Texas Hornshell Freshwater Mussels Apply for F17AS00459 Funding Number: F17AS00459 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $140,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "17 592", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.