Supports large-scale interdisciplinary research projects focused on advancing quantum information science, engineering and technology through collaboration, education and innovation, as part of the National Quantum Initiative.
Synopsis
Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes are large-scale interdisciplinary research projects motivated by major challenges at the frontiers of quantum information science and technology (QIST). Institutes are expected to catalyze breakthroughs on important problems underpinning QIST, for example in the focus areas of quantum computation, quantum communication, quantum simulation and/or quantum sensing. Successful institutes will coordinate a variety of approaches to specific scientific, technological, and educational goals in these fields, including multiple institutions and building upon multiple disciplines, as motivated by the science and engineering challenges. In so doing, Institutes will nurture a culture of discovery, provide education, training, and workforce development opportunities in the context of cutting-edge research, and demonstrate value-added from synergistic coordination within the institute and with the broader community. Partnerships, infrastructure, industry engagement, outreach, international collaboration, and new applications for QIST should be fostered by Institutes in support of their research, education, and coordination goals.
The QLCI program can support awards to continue existing Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes or to establish and operate new Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes. In either case, proposers should follow the same guidance for Challenge Institute proposal preparation described in this solicitation. While this is a crosscutting program, proposals responding to this solicitation must be submitted to the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) in the Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS). They will subsequently be managed by a cross-disciplinary team of NSF Program Directors.
The QLCI program enables NSF multidisciplinary centers for quantum research and education as called for in the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Act and an NQI Advisory Committee report, Renewing the National Quantum Initiative: Recommendations for Sustaining American Leadership in Quantum Information Science. In alignment with the NQI Act, Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes shall pursue research at the frontiers of quantum information science, engineering, and technology, and explore solutions to important challenges for the development, application, commercialization, and pioneering use of quantum technologies. QLCI Institutes shall also lead education, training, and workforce development activities as may be needed for sustained leadership in QIST and related topics. Coordination both within each Institute and with new partners and the broader ecosystem should also serve to galvanize the community and catalyze the research and education activities in ways that go beyond what smaller projects could accomplish in isolation.
Program guidelines Award information
The QLCI program will support several Challenge Institute awards, which can be funded at different levels as motivated by the science and engineering challenges and proposed approaches. It is anticipated that individual Challenge Institutes can be funded at a level between $2,000,000/year and $7,500,000/year, for up to 6 years. Flexibility in the funding schedule may be allowed to enable ramping up or changing levels of effort as motivated by the Institute research, education, and coordination activities. A variety of Challenge Institute awards with a range of budget sizes and scopes will be considered. Each proposed Challenge Institute budget is expected to be commensurate with the associated QIST research, education, and coordination activities.
The estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.
Estimated number of awards
5 to 10
Estimated number of awards description
An estimated 5 to 10 Challenge Institute cooperative agreements will be awarded.
Proposal Submission Limits
Proposals may only be submitted by certain types of organizations. Please see solicitation for details.
Lead organizations are limited to submit no more than two (2) Challenge Institute Preliminary Proposals. Lead organizations are limited to submit no more than two (2) invited Challenge Institute Full Proposals. Multi-institutional Challenge Institute proposals must be submitted as a single proposal by a single lead organization; separately submitted collaborative proposals are not permitted.
Limit on number of proposals per PI or Co-PI
2
Letters of Intent: Principal Investigators (PIs) and co-PIs may participate in multiple Letters of Intent. Limits on the number of Challenge Institute Full Proposals do not apply to Letters of Intent.
Preliminary Proposals: Principal Investigators (PIs) and co-PIs may participate in multiple Preliminary Proposals. Limits on the number of Challenge Institute Full Proposals do not apply to Preliminary Proposals.
Invited Full Proposals: The lead PI and up to four additional co-PIs who are named on the Cover Sheet of a Challenge Institute Full Proposal must only participate in one Challenge Institute Full Proposal. Senior/Key Personnel who are not named on the cover sheet of a Challenge Institute Full Proposal may participate in no more than two (2) Challenge Institute Full Proposals.