[Title of the proposal]

Proposal under the State Major Instrumentation programme 

[Applying institution]

[Federal state]

[Faculty]

[Institution responsible for operating the instrumentation]

[Responsible spokesperson]

Requested funding: [€ … ]

General Information 
<Grey texts are intended as guidance when completing the form and should be deleted or replaced prior to submitting your proposal. Black text should be retained in the submitted document.

The length of the proposal should be such that it is concise and easy to read for the reviewers and committee members and supports a well-founded assessment in accordance with the review criteria. 
www.dfg.de/formulare/10_205

The State Major Instrumentation funding programme is described in the respective guidelines (DFG form 21.2). The guidelines and the relevant proposal preparation instructions are to be followed when submitting a proposal.
www.dfg.de/formulare/21_2

Please note: This template is to be used exclusively when submitting proposals for centralised resources (e.g. central IT systems, networking, networked systems in medicine such as monitoring, PDMS, HIS/KAS or complex image and sound studios).

The DFG issues notifications and information regarding certain technologies and types of instrumentation (e.g. electron microscopes, mass spectrometers, central It-systems): these must be taken into account when preparing the proposal:
www.dfg.de/wgi/notes_information

If you are not sure whether it is appropriate to use this template, please contact the DFG Head Office before compiling a proposal: 
www.dfg.de/wgi

Regarding the text fields on the cover page:
As the title of the proposal, use a neutral, standard designation of the instrumentation, system or technology which is not bound to a specific manufacturer and is identical to the specification on the elan portal. 

The amount of funding must be identical to the information on the elan portal and match the information under 4.2. It includes the guaranteed state funding.

Content
1.	Proposal Summary
2.	Information on the Institution and Overarching Concepts
3.	Objectives of the Project
4.	Current Equipment
5.	Planned Equipment and Performance Characteristics
6.	Implementation Plan
7.	Operating and Management Concept
8.	Choice of Instrumentation
9. 	List of Attachments

1.	Proposal Summary
1.1	Preliminary remarks, motivation 
<Provide a brief description of the reasons for submitting the proposal stating the institutional, financial and organisational circumstances relevant to the project (e.g. in connection with an appointment, construction project, restructuring, replacement purchases).>

[Text]

1.2	Summary 
<The focus here is on the intended scientific use: provide a brief, plain-language description of the requested configuration of the instrumentation and the scientific projects for which the instrumentation is to be used, using the same wording as on the elan portal. Do not mention names of persons or details that allow a particular company to be identified. Maximum 3,000 characters, no special characters.>
 
[Text]

1.3	Requested configuration 
<Provide a brief description of the major instrumentation requested and its performance class, including any components and accessories to be included.>

[Text]

1.4	Links to other proposals
<Name the reference numbers of any preceding proposals that are relevant to this proposal, as well as any other larger-scale projects that are under review such as CRC proposals, for example, and explain how these are linked to the current proposal. 
If further proposals are planned which are directly linked to this proposal in terms of content or scientific background under the programmes Major Research Instrumentation (FUGG) or State Major Instrumentation (LAGG), please provide a title for such proposals together with a prospective date for submission. Explain why the proposals are not being submitted together.
Please note that in some cases, it is not fully possible to carry out the review process for major instrumentation proposals without knowledge of other major instrumentation that is planned or has been requested. Here, it can make sense to submit a joint proposal (proposal package). In such cases, we recommend contacting the person responsible for the relevant instrumentation category at the DFG Head Office.>

[Text]

1.5	Other information 
<Describe any other relevant aspects for special consideration. For example, if you have used “artificial intelligence” (AI) in the form of generative models for text and image creation when preparing your proposal, this must be disclosed here in a scientifically appropriate manner. See the Research Integrity portal for details.>

[Text]

2.	Information on the Institution and Overarching Concepts
<The term ‘institution’ here can mean: university, university hospital. 

Describe the institution’s work and parameters (sites, staff and students, study programmes, number of people receiving clinical care, hospital beds, etc.) such that the information is meaningfully related to the proposed project. 
Also name any departments or units that are to be actively involved in the operation or implementation of the proposed project, or those that will specifically benefit from it. It may also make sense to mention other institutions that offer similar services to the planned infrastructure (generally 1-2 pages).>

[Text]

2.2	Overarching concepts in connection with the project
<This refers to existing IT or network concepts or centralised research data management plans, for example. Set out briefly (approx. 2-4 pages) how the requested equipment fits into the institution’s existing central concept or nationwide concepts. If necessary, statements should also be made here about how the institution is linked to or integrated in university and nationwide networks, repositories and consortia.
The description of such aspects as related to this project should be self-explanatory. Reference should be made to central and overarching concepts and papers which are attached to the proposal as an attachment.>

[Text]

3.	Objectives of the Project
<Objectives in relation to such aspects as capacity expansion, modernisation, upgrade, implementation of strategic plans, implementation of new or expanded services>.

3.1	Overarching objectives 
<Is this a continuation of an existing mission or does it pursue new objectives?
Who sets the objectives (e.g. institution management, computer centre)? In addition, describe the processes that led to the objectives being formulated. 
Explain the time frame for achieving the objectives. 
Does this proposal concern a longer-term infrastructure project? This refers to projects that extend beyond an investment period of 2-3 years, e.g. the establishment of a new clinical IT system, comprehensive network expansion projects or the development of nationwide memory systems. If so, please state the overall concept including the general thrust of the measure. Provide information on the background situation, overall objectives, time scale and resource planning (investments, personnel, operating costs, upgrades) including the estimated funds. Typical project planning elements (milestones, structure of individual projects, schedules) can be helpful here.
Please bear in mind that the DFG review always relates to the specific implementation of a project, which typically takes place within a period of 2-3 years. In the case of projects that are longer in duration, follow-up proposals can be submitted for further implementation.>

[Text]

3.2	Science-related objectives and added value by type of use
<The State Major Instrumentation programme is aimed at investments for use in research, training and teaching or clinical care. Information is also required in the case of IT resources that are not used directly in these areas in order to be able to assess whether it makes sense to conduct a scientific review (because only then does the DFG make a recommendation). 

The purpose of this information is to clearly establish the link between the project and the relevant types of use. It should include the added value anticipated through the planned procurement as well as any special performance characteristics required due to the type of use. Paragraph 3.2 should be approximately half a page to a maximum of one page in length per type of use.>

3.2.1 Research 

[Text]

3.2.2 Training and teaching

[Text]

3.2.3 Clinical care 

[Text]

3.3	Sustainability aspects
<Please reflect here on how the concept of sustainability in terms of resource conservation is taken into account or is relevant in connection with the proposal or the instrumentation technology being requested. For further information, see the cross-disciplinary catalogue of guiding questions at:
www.dfg.de\reflection_sustainability.>

[Text]

4.	Current Equipment
<Describe the current status here. A well-founded analysis of the situation as it currently stands is the prerequisite for the measures described in section 5.
What equipment is currently used to perform the tasks in question? How often or when have major procurements or upgrades been made in the past? What experience has been gained regarding the utilisation capacity of the existing equipment in relation to requirements? How are usage and utilisation capacity monitored? Please describe existing usage as concretely as possible in quantified terms (e.g. for IT hardware CPU and I/O utilisation capacity; main memory allocation; job profile). If the proposal relates to a previous expansion stage, a detailed description should be provided of which objectives were achieved, which were not achieved and where changes were made.
Here, please provide detailed information, if necessary in tabular form, on the performance data of the existing equipment and the year of procurement; also details of the systems approved in the central IT area in the last five years, including year of purchase and approved amount (in tabular form).
If necessary, also include a sketch plan of existing equipment (including characteristic capacity/performance data).>

[Text]

5.	Planned Equipment and Performance Characteristics
<Describe the target status here. The measures should relate to specific implementation, typically over a period of less than three years (for longer-term investment projects, see section 3).>

5.1 Planned investments
<Using a suitable format (e.g. a table), set out the requested investments, their specifications and their costs, broken down into the main components and, where applicable, providing an indication of which part of the existing equipment is to be replaced. Please check for consistency with the entries in section 1.5.
Where applicable, please also include a sketch plan of the equipment after installation of the requested systems (including characteristic capacity/performance data).>

[Text]

5.2 Justification of the performance capacity
<Include underlying usage analyses, needs assessments, etc. This section should make reference to the information provided in the previous sections. Explain the specific added value that results from use of the instrumentation in research, teaching and training, and clinical care. Particular attention should be paid to providing a detailed description of the special performance characteristics deriving from the needs and perspectives relating to individual types of use.>

[Text]

6.	Implementation Plan
<Here, provide an appropriately detailed description of measures and intermediate steps that will be carried out to implement the project, depending on the level of complexity involved. If necessary this can be structured according to procurement stages, expansion stages or intermediate stages. The planned timeline of the projects along with the outflow of funds and personnel requirements this gives rise to should be clearly presented in a diagram, taking into account basic provision as needed.
How much personnel is needed and what expertise do they require? How much is currently available? How are responsibilities distributed? Are the spatial requirements met?
Are there structural requirements (e.g. training, board resolutions, specifications for using the systems) which need to be taken into account?
How will achievement of the objectives be monitored?>

[Text]

7.	Operating and Management Concept
<The purpose of this section is to explain aspects of subsequent operation (i.e. after implementation of the measure). Typical aspects and questions are listed below.
Which persons with which qualifications (broken down into scientific, technical and administrative staff) are available for appropriate operation and maintenance? 
How will access and utilisation be regulated? 
How will any necessary decisions and prioritisations be made? 
Will there be monitoring of how the services offered are utilised? 
Estimated annual follow-up costs for the envisaged duration of usage (total cost of ownership, where applicable), broken down into the following in a table: 
•	Operating costs (energy, water, consumables, etc.) 
•	Maintenance costs (maintenance, repairs, replacement/wear and tear; testing and licence fees)
•	Other (e.g. updates, additions).
How will funding be secured with regard to follow-up costs and repairs?
What are the arrangements in terms of links with other organisations and institutions?>

[Text]

8.	Choice of Instrumentation
<Present your market research: which products and companies are generally suitable for the planned investment? How do you rate the benefits and drawbacks of the various options in terms of performance and cost? A justification should be provided that is as specific as possible, differentiating the requested exemplary/preferred configuration from other alternatives, if possible by comparing itemised quotes (quotations, comparative quotations or the relevant manufacturer information should be attached).
Feasibility assessments must also be taken into account, e.g. aspects of follow-up costs and any dependencies resulting from a commitment to a certain technology or manufacturer. Existing and planned framework agreements must be explained in a way that allows a comparison to be made. Where applicable, strategies that go beyond the proposal itself should be presented, also including procurements and developments anticipated in the longer term. Are there favourable times for a change of technology, for example, or can synergies be created through cooperation with other institutions? 
This section contains information that should allow an assessment to be made of the expertise and thoroughness with which the instrumentation has been selected. 
Important: The section on choice of instrumentation is not a substitute for addressing manufacturer selection in the course of the later procurement and does not set a precedent for the procurement process. The DFG always makes a recommendation which is neutral in terms of manufacturer. The DFG’s vote cannot be used to justify an accelerated procurement process.>

[Text]

9. 	List of Attachments

A-	Academic CVs <of the main individual or individuals involved in submitting the proposal according to DFG form 53.200, grouped in a single PDF>
B-	Quote(s) or relevant manufacturer information relating to the exemplary/preferred configuration of the instrumentation, <grouped in single PDF>
C-	Quotes or manufacturer information relating to configurations of comparative instrumentation items <grouped in a single PDF>
D-	Other attachments <where applicable, e.g. IT concepts, usage regulations, cooperation assurances, research data management plan, grouped in a single PDF with table of contents>