The NIH Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG) Program (S10 mechanism) is designed to assist institutions in acquiring costly, essential research instruments that are otherwise financially prohibitive for individual researchers or departments. This opportunity, administered by the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) and supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), targets institutions without substantial recent S10 funding. Specifically, eligibility is limited to those institutions that have not received $500,001 or more in S10 funding within the previous three fiscal years. The aim is to broaden access to modern scientific equipment, especially in underserved regions or institutions with limited research infrastructure, such as those in Institutional Development Award (IDeA) states. By providing shared access to advanced instrumentation, the program seeks to promote scientific advancements across a diverse array of research projects.

The BIG Program offers awards ranging from $25,000 up to a maximum of $350,000. There is no upper price limit on the cost of the instrument, but institutions are responsible for securing additional funds if the total purchase exceeds the award maximum. Eligible instruments include, but are not limited to, confocal microscopes, basic cell sorters, ultramicrotomes, gel imagers, and certain dedicated computer systems. Instruments must be new, commercially available, and used exclusively for research purposes, with requirements for shared access within a core facility or designated laboratory space. The BIG program does not support multiple instrument requests, non-research instruments, administrative or clinical systems, or general-purpose equipment like standard computer networks.

To qualify, applicant institutions must identify at least three NIH-funded "Major Users" who will utilize the instrument for their research projects, with additional users encouraged to enhance the instrument’s utility. Major Users must collectively account for at least 25% of the Accessible Usage Time (AUT), with all identified users needing to justify 55% or more of the AUT. Applications must include a detailed quote for the requested instrument from a vendor, highlighting academic discounts and warranty terms. Additionally, proposals must address the long-term management, access, and financial sustainability of the instrument beyond the one-year award period, including a five-year financial plan for operation and maintenance.

The application process requires a structured Instrumentation Plan with specific sections including Justification of Need, Technical Expertise, Research Projects, Administration, and Institutional Commitment, among others. There are also strict page limits for each section, and an organized summary table must detail projected usage across Major and Other Users. Each application should present an Advisory Committee to oversee the instrument's use, ensure equitable access, and resolve any disputes that may arise. Institutions are encouraged to support the instrument’s long-term viability and infrastructure through financial commitments detailed in the application.

Applications will be evaluated based on several review criteria, including the scientific justification for the instrument, the technical expertise of the users, the management plan, the institution’s commitment to long-term operation, and the overall impact on biomedical research. The NIH will assess the applications' scientific and technical merit through a peer review process. Only one BIG application per institution is allowed per cycle, and resubmissions are permitted if prior applications are declined. There are specific restrictions on simultaneous submissions to prevent duplication of efforts across multiple NIH instrumentation grants.

Key dates for this opportunity include an opening submission date of May 1 each year, with application due dates on June 1 annually through 2027. Successful applicants can anticipate an earliest project start date in February of the year following submission. Institutions interested in applying are encouraged to initiate their System for Award Management (SAM), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov registrations early, as these are essential for application submission.

This funding opportunity allows institutions to enhance their research infrastructure significantly by securing specialized instruments to support NIH-funded research endeavors, fostering advancements in biomedical research, and promoting broader collaborative use of cutting-edge scientific equipment.