Shared instrumentation

How this application is scored, and how to structure it

Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs : A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation.

National Science Foundation

Deadline: Full proposal due 2026-07-27

Shared instrumentation (NIH S10 / NSF MRI style)

Instrumentation awards are judged on justified NEED and shared USE, not on a single research project. NIH S10 requires multiple Major Users, each typically a PD/PI on a distinct active research award — verify the current requirement in the announcement.

Set by the funder — check the announcement.

What reviewers score

Need & Justification

see announcement
Reviewers are asked
Is the instrument genuinely needed, and is the specific model justified over cheaper alternatives?
So write
Document current bottlenecks with real numbers: wait times, samples shipped elsewhere, experiments not attempted. Justify the exact configuration.
Commonly loses points for
  • Wish-list request with no demonstrated bottleneck
  • No comparison to alternative instruments

Major Users & Shared Use

see announcement
Reviewers are asked
Is there a strong, funded user base, and will access be equitable?
So write
Per Major User: their funded project, the specific experiments needing this instrument, and estimated hours. Include a governance and scheduling plan.
Commonly loses points for
  • Users without active funding
  • One dominant user — reads as a single-lab instrument

Institutional Commitment & Management

see announcement
Reviewers are asked
Will the institution house, staff, and maintain it?
So write
Named space, committed technical staff, service-contract funding after year one, and an oversight committee.
Commonly loses points for
  • No committed operator
  • Silence on maintenance costs beyond the award

Section-by-section outline

  1. 1.Instrument Justification

    Per announcement

    Prove need and configuration choice.

    Must include

    • Quantified current bottleneck
    • Configuration rationale
    • Alternatives considered

    Avoid

    • Qualitative need only

  2. 2.Major User Projects

    Per announcement

    Prove a funded, shared user base.

    Must include

    • Each user's funded award
    • Experiments requiring the instrument
    • Requested hours

    Avoid

    • Unfunded or speculative users

  3. 3.Management & Institutional Commitment

    Per announcement

    Prove sustainability.

    Must include

    • Space, staffing, service contract
    • Access policy and governance
    • Fee structure

    Avoid

    • No plan for ongoing costs

Strategy notes for this mechanism

  • S10-style awards are won on the strength of the user base, not the elegance of one project.
  • Confirm the current Major User requirement in the announcement before assembling the team.

Structure and review criteria are compiled from published funder guidance and were verified in July 2026. NIH revises these, so confirm against the current announcement before you submit. This is drafting scaffolding, not a substitute for your programme officer or research development office.

Read the official announcement →← Back to opportunity