S15 Equipment Program: Frequently Asked Questions

In general, scientific instruments directly generate scientific data and/or research-essential materials. Examples include microscopes, 3D printers, MRIs, NMRs, mass spectrometers, metabolic cages, and imagers. By contrast, scientific equipment supports and enhances research-related auxiliary activities. This includes glass washers, fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, isolators, and specialized autoclaves/sterilizers. Note, this S15 Equipment Program does not support accessories that are essential for the operations of scientific instruments, such as NMR probes, mass analyzers, or MRI coils. Also not supported are equipment for experimental sample preparation, however, freeze control systems for long-term cryostorage are allowed.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Scientific/Research Contact(s) of the notice of funding opportunity to determine equipment eligibility prior to the submission of their application.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Scientific/Research Contact(s) of the notice of funding opportunity to determine equipment eligibility prior to the submission of their application.

No, all requested equipment must support operations of one facility in one physical location.

Telemetry equipment to monitor and improve the management of animal welfare is supported by this program. However, systems that would be used for biobehavioral or physiological assessments as a part of experimental protocols are not allowed.

Yes, for example, various systems that support animal husbandry or monitor environmental conditions in vivaria are supported by this program. This includes systems designed for monitoring conditions in animal cages or systems for environmental controls.

“Free-standing” computers are not allowed. A computer that is integrated into the operation of the equipment is supported. If a term limited (one-year) software license is a part of the request, the application must demonstrate financial support of the software license in outward years.

An institution that received an equipment award in the immediate prior fiscal year is not eligible to apply for this NOFO unless the previous award has been fully closed out by the date of submission (Sept. 25). In other words, only one active equipment award is permitted at a time.

No, current or past NIH funding is not required to be the PD/PI. Any individual with the requisite knowledge, skills, and resources, necessary to operate and oversee the requested equipment, can serve as the PD/PI.

No, a record of NIH funding is not needed to submit an application and to be considered for an award. However, it is expected that the long term management of the requested equipment and proposed research-related operations will be supported by federal, private, or institutional funding for biomedical research.

The Research Plan should describe plans to support the maintenance and usage of the equipment over the long term (5+ years). Also, a letter from a high-ranking institutional official must be included in the attachments of the application, indicating institutional financial commitment for the operations of the shared facility and research activities conducted therein.

Basically, a shared facility benefits a relatively larger number of users and is open to the entire institutional biomedical research community, should they need the services that the facility provides and be eligible to receive them (as defined by the institution). This Program does not support equipment that services single investigators.

Yes, please see Section IV in the notice of funding opportunity. In brief, any application must include 1) itemized valid manufacturer’s quote(s) and detailed budget justification, 2) a letter from a high-ranking institutional official, indicating institutional support for the operations of the shared-use facility and research activities conducted therin, 3) a floor plan, indicating the location of the requested equipment, 4) a letter from the Director of Planning, Design, and Construction (or equivalent), and 5) a timeline (of one year duration). An optional table of up to 12 active grants held by end-users of the facility may also be included to demonstrate the need for the added support capacity.

NIH research funding is not a requirement; though if available, it should be demonstrated as a part of the description of the areas of research supported by the facility.

This letter should demonstrate the institution's long-term commitment towards the facility to ensure that the equipment placed there will be used for several years. Specific institutional investments such as personnel costs or other costs associated with running of the facility should be demonstrated.

Cost-sharing is not required or expected. If provided, cost-sharing does not make an application more meritorious. The application budget should be commensurate with the research needs of the equipment, up to the allowable budgetary limit.

Since one page of specific aims is a standard part of the SF424 (R&R) application guide for your S15 application, you should take advantage of it to summarize your project for the reviewers. Bringing the requested equipment into your shared laboratory space or animal research facility should represent an innovative project for which you have goals to enhance the services available to your facility’s users. You may elect to have only one specific aim, stating what equipment is requested and what innovative functionality it will bring. Additional text on this page can be used for a short project overview.

There is no need or expectation to list users of the facility as Key Personnel. In many cases, the PD/PI will be the only Key Personnel listed. In some specific situations, depending on the type of the facility and the equipment requested, an expert in the technology and the facility manager may both be included as Key Personnel. Only one of them can serve as the PD/PI as no Multi-PI applications are allowed under this funding opportunity. In summary, there is not a set number of Key Personnel needed to ensure a meritorious application.

There is no prescribed number of users that would define a facility as shared used. The number of users will depend on many factors, such type of research support offered by the facility through available technologies and expertise in place. Examples include a core facility and an animal facility. Such facilities are typically accessible to the institutional researcher community.

There is not a requisite percentage of biomedical researchers to be eligible, but the requested equipment should provide broad benefits that support and enhance biomedical research activities at the applicant institution.

No, requests for funds to support the alteration and renovation (A&R) of the space the equipment will occupy is not allowed under the notice of funding opportunity.

Funding for the purchase of warranties is not allowed in the application budget. It is expected that the manufacturer of the equipment will provide a 1-year free warranty. However, if a one-year free warranty is unavailable for the requested equipment and the institution declines to purchase it, that piece of equipment is not allowed under the notice of funding opportunity.

The PD/PI must reside at the organization/institution where the requested equipment will be located. Note, funding for equipment is provided to the applicant institution and not the PD/PI who will oversee the use and maintenance of the equipment.

If you place an order before an award is issued, you will not be able to use the award money to purchase the pre-ordered equipment. Moreover, the award (if issued) can only be used to acquire the equipment requested in the application.