NIH Seed Instrumentation Support (SIS) Program (S10) 2027
| To: | Chairs and Administrators, Associate Deans for Research; College/School Research Administrators |
| From: | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research |
| Date: | July 20, 2026 |
| Subject: | NIH Seed Instrumentation Support (SIS) Program (S10) 2027 PAR-27-021 |
Deadline
| Deadline for Internal Review: | August 20, 2026 |
Project Description
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. The minimum award is $50,000. While there is no limit on the total cost of the instrument, the maximum award is $400,000.
For research-intensive institutions, emphasis is placed on acquiring new or emerging technologies that enable innovative and novel research.
Eligible instruments include, but are not limited to, mass spectrometers, cell sorters, bioimagers, DNA and protein sequencers, light microscopes, 3D printers, and high-performance computers. Applications for general purpose computer systems (computer clusters and data storage systems) will only be considered if the system is solely dedicated to biomedical research.
Foreign-made instruments are allowed. However, the reasons for choosing foreign-made instruments over domestically manufactured instruments will be justified. NIH urges that every effort should be made to give preference to domestically manufactured instruments to the maximum extent possible. Additionally, requesting funds towards purchasing an instrument under a lease agreement is strongly discouraged.
Amount per Award: The minimum award is $50,000. There is no limit on the cost of the instrument, but the maximum award is $400,000. S10 awards do not allow indirect costs.
Duration of Award: 1 Year
Number of Awards: The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.
Eligibility
Minimal User Requirement: 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). An award given to multi-PDs/PIs is counted only once towards the fulfillment of this requirement. Users with funding from sources such as other Federal agencies, private foundations, or academic institutions are eligible to use the instrument. 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.
Please note: Each department may submit materials for one researcher to the NIH Seed Instrumentation Support (SIS) Program (S10) 2027 internal competition. Applications must be submitted to OVCR through the researcher’s home department.
UW–Madison may submit one application, provided that the type of instrument does not currently exist on campus.
Website
The following link contains additional information on the program and specific application instructions:
https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/fd0c942d-4760-41c1-b7c2-57c63b3c0a62/attachments/b2fb276b-13b7-4a27-9a95-1330a4ffdeb7/PAR-27-021-Full-Announcement.html
Internal Competition Application Instructions
Applications for Internal Review
To submit your notice of intent, attach a single PDF to an email to: grants@research.wisc.edu.
Please include the following:
- Cover page with PI name, contact information and generic name of the instrument. Please include a statement indicating that your department chair has reviewed and approved your application and has selected you as the department’s sole nominee for this internal competition.
- PI CV
- Instrumentation plan of no more than 3-4 pages based on the requirements in the NOFO. Include a brief summary of how operational costs will be met. Please note, our office will provide the required summary table to the applicant selected to move forward for submission to NIH.
Sponsor Deadlines
Applications are due to NIH by September 25, 2026.
Questions?
Contact grants@research.wisc.edu.