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Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes
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Service Source Final Application Due Date Funding Available Match Required
Science & Technology Federal
NSF
09-17-2025 $300.0 M No Match
Required
  • Service
  • Source
  • Final Application Due Date
  • Funding Available
  • Match Required
Status
  • Past
  • Current
  • Forecasted
  • $10,000,000
  • $45,000,000
  • Award Floor
  • Award Ceiling
    • Expected Number of Awards 10
    • Opportunity Type Discretionary
    • CFDA

      47.041 -- Engineering

      47.049 -- Mathematical and Physical Sciences

      47.070 -- Computer and Information Science and Engineering

      47.074 -- Biological Sciences

      47.076 -- STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources)

      47.084 -- NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships

    Description

    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 willcoordinate 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 willnurture 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 LeapChallenge 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 educationas called for in the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Act1and an NQI Advisory Committee report, Renewing the National Quantum Initiative: Recommendations for Sustaining American Leadership in Quantum Information Science2.In alignment with the NQI Act, Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes shall pursueresearch 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.


    1National Quantum Initiative Act, Public Law 115-368, of December 21, 2018. 2https://www.quantum.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NQIAC-Report-Renewing-the-National-Quantum-Initiative.pdf

    Eligibility
    • IHE
    • Local Government
    • Non-Profit
    • Other
    • State Government
    • Tribal Government
    Additional Eligibility Information

    *Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.

    Key Date(s)
    • August 27, 2024: Last Updated Date
    • August 27, 2024: Posted Date
    • September 17, 2025: Current Closing Date for Applications
    • September 17, 2025: Application Due Date
    • October 17, 2025: Application Archive Date
    Contact Information

    NSF grants.gov support

    grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

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