NSF: Enabling Quantum Leap: Convergent Accelerated Discovery Foundries for Quantum Materials Science, Engineering and Information (Q-AMASE-i)

The Division of Materials Research (DMR), the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS), the Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS), and the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) seek to rapidly accelerate quantum materials design, synthesis, characterization, and translation of fundamental materials engineering and information research for quantum devices, systems, and networks. The new program of Enabling Quantum Leap: Convergent Accelerated Discovery Foundries for Quantum Materials Science, Engineering, and Information (Q-AMASE-i) aims to support these goals by establishing Foundries with mid-scale infrastructure for rapid prototyping and development of quantum materials and devices. The new materials, devices, tools and methods developed by Q-AMASE-i will be shared with the science and engineering communities through a Foundry-operated network. Technology transfer of Foundry activities will be enabled by close cooperation with industrial partners.

Six-year awards totaling $20,000,000 to $25,000,000 for the award period are anticipated. Q-AMASE-i Foundries will be awarded as cooperative agreements with an initial commitment of six years, with the possibility of one six-year renewal, subsequent to a rigorous and favorable review by NSF. The annual performance review includes NSF's evaluation of the annual report after the first year, an annual site visit after the second and fourth year of Foundry activities, and a reverse or program management site visit after the third and fifth year. Funding after the second year will depend on the quality of progress and performance documented during the site visits.

Number of Applications
One
Amount of Funding

The final number of awards will depend on the availability of funds and the quality of the proposals.

Anticipated Funding Amount: $20,000,000 to $25,000,000 to fund between 1 and 5 awards.

Awards totaling $20,000,000 to $25,000,000 over a six-year period are anticipated. The budget must be commensurate with the scope of the project and thoroughly justified in the proposal. Annual budget may not exceed $7,000,000 in any of the award years.

Eligibility

Individuals may appear as Senior Personnel (Principal Investigator/Project Director, co-PI, and Faculty Associate or equivalent) on only one Q-AMASE proposal. In the event that any individual exceeds this limit, any proposal submitted to this solicitation with this individual listed as PI, co-PI, or Senior Personnel after the first proposal is received at NSF will be returned without review. No exceptions will be made. For this purpose, a multi-institution collaborative project is treated as one proposal. The lead institution must submit a single collaborative proposal managed by the lead institution, with subawards. Linked collaborative proposals submitted by participating institutions are not allowed.

Submission Process

Step 1

Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss the scope of work and project vision with their associate dean for research before submitting their LOI.

In ONE PDF, please provide:

  1. A cover sheet with:

    • PI Name

    • PI Department/Division and School/College

    • Project Title, and

    • A list of the names and institutions of anticipated collaborators, funded or unfunded, and identifying the five minimum senior personnel to demonstrate expertise in five areas of research that will converge.

  2. Summary of Project, no longer than two pages, with 12-point font and one-inch Margins.  This summary must document the vision, key components, main activities, and major goals of the proposed Foundry.

  3. Federal-grant-style Biosketch (usually NIH or NSF)

Please send these documents as a single PDF document to Stephanie Endy (stephanie.endy@case.edu) by 8/21/2018.

 

Step 2

Final nominees will be notified of their selection by 8/29/2018.

Step 3

Final proposal must be received by the Office of Research Administration by 9/10/2018 at 5:00pm EST.

Step 4

Final proposal must be received by the sponsor by 9/17/2018 at 5:00pm EST.

Deadlines

Abstract or LOI to ORA Chosen Proposal Announced ORA Final Proposal Due Date Sponsor Submission Deadline Days Until Due
08/21/2018 08/29/2018 09/10/2018 09/17/2018 CLOSED