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Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes (QLCI)

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NSF 24-599

Important information about NSF’s implementation of the revised 2 CFR

NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website. These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.

Important information for proposers

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

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.

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) Act1 and an NQI Advisory Committee report, Renewing the National Quantum Initiative: Recommendations for Sustaining American Leadership in Quantum Information Science2In 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.

1 National Quantum Initiative Act, Public Law 115-368, of December 21, 2018.

2 https://www.quantum.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NQIAC-Report-Renewing-the-National-Quantum-Initiative.pdf

 

Program contacts

General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:

Name Email Phone Organization
QLCI Program Management Team
QLCI@nsf.gov 703-292-5302
Peter S. Atherton
PATHERTO@nsf.gov (703) 292-8772 TIP/TI
Elizabeth Behrman
ebehrman@nsf.gov (703) 292-7049 CISE/CCF
Alexander Cronin
acronin@nsf.gov (703) 292-5302 MPS/PHY
Dominique M. Dagenais
ddagenai@nsf.gov (703) 292-2980 ENG/ECCS
Tingyu Li
tli@nsf.gov (703) 292-4949 MPS/CHE
Rosa Lukaszew
rlukasze@nsf.gov (703) 292-8103 ENG/ECCS
Matthew McCune
mamccune@nsf.gov (703) 292-2906 ENG/ECCS
Bogdan Mihaila
bmihaila@nsf.gov (703) 292-8235 MPS/PHY
Engin Serpersu
eserpers@nsf.gov (703) 292-7124 BIO/MCB

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