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NIH Seed Instrumentation Support (SIS) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

SIS Portal

All applications for this internal competition must be submitted via InfoReady. You can sign in using your Net-ID and your @stonybrook.edu email address. Please allow sufficient time to familiarize yourself with the portal prior to submitting your pre-application. Pre-application requirements are listed in the announcement below.

The Office for Research and Innovation invites applications for the NIH Seed Instrumentation Support (SIS) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). The program supports the purchase of a single commercialized research instrument that is currently unavailable to the applicant institution. Stony Brook University can submit ONE application to the program, provided that the type of instrument does not currently exist in the applicant organization.

Please see below for details. If you are interested in applying, you must submit a pre-application via the SIS Portal in InfoReady by Monday, July 27, 2026 at 9:00 am. Pre-applications for internal review and selection must be uploaded to the portal as a single PDF document.

KEYWORDS: Instrument acquisition, biomedical 

WHAT DOES IT FUND: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to build new research capacity and develop a sustainable research program by supporting the purchase of a single commercially available biomedical research instrument currently unavailable in the institution. Instruments funded through this program must be shared among the users to create new research opportunities, enable reproducible data generation, encourage collaborative research and training, and strengthen long-term research capabilities. For research-intensive institutions, emphasis is placed on acquiring new or emerging technologies that enable innovative and novel research. A minimum of two NIH-funded users must be identified, with at least one of the NIH-funded users must be from the applicant institution. NIH-funded users from other institutions are highly encouraged. Each of the NIH funded users must be a PD/PI on a distinct active NIH award (i.e., a grant or a cooperative agreement). To justify the requested instrument, the projects supported by NIH research awards should together have a preponderant use of the instrument. While training, curricular instructions, or other non-biomedical research activities may be supported by the instrument, for-profit activities or billable clinical care are not allowed to use the instrument. 

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS: Each applicant institution will propose a PD/PI who can assume administrative and scientific oversight responsibility for the requested instrument. The PD/PI will also be responsible for: Preparing (and working with the institution to submit) a Final Research Performance Progress Report (Final RPPR) at the end of the project budget period. Preparing and submitting Annual Usage Reports (AURs) of the instrument to the NIH for a period of four years after the project end date. Requesting no-cost extensions of the project period, if needed.

AWARD: While there is no limit on the total cost of the instrument, the maximum award is $400,000. S10 awards do not allow indirect costs. Awards are made for one year only.

COST SHARE: Not required

SPONSOR DEADLINE: September 25, 2026

A complete pre-application should comprise of the following:

  • Project Summary/Abstract (no more than 1 page) that describes the requested instrument and an explanation of the need for the instrument to advance research projects of the Users. The application's broad, long-term objectives should be stated, concisely describing how access to the instrument will support the research projects.
  • Instrumentation Plan (no more than 5 pages) that includes:
    • Justification of Need: Name the requested instrument. Compare the performance of the requested model with other similar instruments available on the market. Justify the need for specific model, features, and special accessories of the requested instrument. Explain how the acquisition of this instrument will act as a catalyst for new research directions/programs, help create new research opportunities, develop expertise, grow research capacities, and expand research activities for long-term success.
    • Technical Expertise: Describe the technical expertise of individuals who will set up and run the instrument. Specify who will ensure that the instrument is safely operated and appropriately maintained. State training plan, who and how will train new users. If the instrument requires complex sample preparation or consultation for experimental designs, describe the expert individuals who will serve in that capacity. Address technical support for data collection, management, and analysis.
    • Research Projects: An explanation of how the requested instrument will advance research projects. In this section, describe the benefits of the requested instrument to enhance the users' research projects.
    • Summary Tables: The table should include user's name, grant number (for NIH awards, list the grant numbers such as R01CA123456), brief title of the project, grant start and end dates, and estimated usage in annual hours. If there are multiple users funded by the same grant, list the total of their estimated usage in annual hours for projects supported by that grant. Following the tables, state the total estimated usage time by all users' projects in annual hours, and the percentage of the estimated usage time devoted to all NIH-funded projects.
    • Administration (Organizational/Management Plan): Describe the organizational plan to administer the grant. Describe where the instrument will be located, how it will be utilized, how requests to use the instrument will be made, how time will be allocated among users, how other projects and new users will be enlisted. Describe how expertise will be sustained and users will be trained in experimental design, instrument operation and data analysis. Describe typical day-by-day management of the instrument. Describe a financial plan for the long-term operation and maintenance of the instrument as such costs are not supported by the S10 Program. **Please note: reviewers will be looking for a sustainable management plan that will ensure operation of the instrument for at least 5-years**
    • Overall Impact/Benefit: Explain how the instrument will impact NIH-funded research and contribute to the institution's long-range biomedical research goals.
  • Itemized quote from the vendor and budget justification: Describe the requested instrument by stating its manufacturer, model number, specific features, and accessories. Provide a detailed budget breakdown of the main instrument and requested accessories, including tax and import duties (tariffs), if applicable. An itemized quote from the vendor, with appropriate discounts and warranty terms, is required.
  • Biosketch for PD/PI
  • Letter of Support from PD/PI's Chair, confirming the requested instrument is not available to the institution.