The NIH S10 Shared Instrumentation Grant programs support the purchase of major scientific instruments that are essential to the research missions of groups of NIH-funded investigators. Rather than funding specific research projects, the S10 mechanism enables institutions to acquire advanced, high-cost equipment that would be difficult for any single laboratory to purchase on its own, strengthening the overall research infrastructure.

S10 programs include:

• Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG)

• High-End Instrumentation (HEI) Grant

• Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG), when offered by specific components

These programs typically support acquisition of instruments such as:

• high-resolution mass spectrometers

• cryo-electron microscopes or confocal microscopes

• MRI, CT, PET, and other imaging systems

• flow cytometers and cell sorters

• next-generation sequencers

• high-performance computing clusters

Key characteristics of S10 awards include:

• funding for equipment only (no research project costs)

• requirement that multiple NIH-funded investigators benefit from the instrument

• strong emphasis on shared use and institutional impact

• detailed plans for administration, access, and long-term sustainability

Budgets vary by program:

• SIG awards typically fund instruments in the mid-range cost bracket

• HEI awards support very high-cost instruments beyond the SIG limits

Competitive S10 applications clearly demonstrate:

• strong, active NIH-funded user base

• compelling scientific projects that require the instrument

• lack of feasible existing access to comparable equipment

• robust management plan for scheduling, training, and maintenance

• institutional commitment to space, service contracts, and technical support

Reviewers evaluate:

• breadth and quality of funded research that will use the instrument

• institutional environment and commitment

• technical expertise available for operation and maintenance

• realistic usage projections and sharing plan

Because S10s are infrastructure grants, success hinges on demonstrating wide institutional benefit rather than a single PI-led research project.

At ScienceDocs, our team includes former NIH reviewers and administrators who have written and reviewed numerous S10, SIG, and HEI applications. We help institutions assemble strong multi-user justifications, craft utilization and management plans, integrate letters of support, and present clear narratives about institutional impact.

Please fill out our quote sheet to connect with a ScienceDocs S10 grant writer and our expert consulting team.