- Sponsor: National Science Foundation
- Internal Deadline: February 12, 2021
- Sponsor Preliminary Proposal Deadline: April 12, 2021
- Sponsor Deadline: June 14, 2021
- Link: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21553/nsf21553.htm
Summary
The Quantum Interconnect Challenges for Transformational Advances in Quantum Systems (QuIC – TAQS) program is designed to support interdisciplinary teams that will explore highly innovative, original, and potentially transformative ideas for developing and applying quantum science, quantum computing, and quantum engineering in the specific area of quantum interconnects. Quantum interconnects are an integral part of all aspects of quantum information science. Proposals should have the potential to deliver new concepts, new platforms, and/or new approaches that will implement the transfer of quantum states efficiently across platforms and over large length scales. Progress in the area of quantum interconnects will enable breakthroughs in quantum sensing, quantum communications, quantum simulations, and quantum computing systems. This Quantum Interconnect Challenges solicitation will support the process of translating such ideas into reality.
This solicitation calls for proposals focused on interdisciplinary research that enhances the development of quantum interconnects (QuIC) that would allow the transfer of quantum states between different physical states and/or different physical systems. Proposals must articulate how the project leverages and/or promotes advances in quantum interconnects. Proposals should be innovative and must focus on quantum functionality and must result in experimental demonstrations and/or transformative advances towards quantum systems and/or proof-of-concept validations. Competitive proposals will come from an interdisciplinary research team led by at least three investigators who collectively contribute synergistic expertise from expertise from a subset of the following domains: engineering, mathematics, computational science, computer/information science, physical, chemical, biological, material science. Proposals will be judged on how likely the integrated effort is to lead to transformative advances in quantum interconnection.
Please read the full program announcement before preparing your internal application.
Award Amount
Anticipated funding amount is pending availability of funds. Each project team may receive support of up to a total of $2,500,000 over the project duration of 4 years. It is not expected that all awards will receive the maximum amount; the size of awards will depend upon the type of research program proposed. The budget must be commensurate with the scope of the project and thoroughly justified in the proposal.
Eligibility
- The Principal Investigator (PI) must be a faculty member employed by the submitting organization. A minimum of one PI and two co-PIs must participate.
- No individual may appear as Senior Personnel (Principal Investigator, Co-PI, and Faculty Associate or equivalent) on more than two QuIC – TAQS preliminary proposals. In the event that any individual exceeds this limit, any preliminary proposal submitted to this solicitation with this individual listed as PI, co-PI, or Senior Personnel after the first two preliminary proposals are received at NSF will be returned without review. No exceptions will be made.
Selection Criteria
Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and
Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.
The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria:
- What is the potential for the proposed activity to
- Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
- Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
- To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
- Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
- How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?
- Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?
Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria
- In addition to the two NSF review criteria (intellectual merit and broader impacts), additional criteria will be used in the review of both QuIC – TAQS preliminary and full proposals:
- Interdisciplinary: Does the proposed research involve the convergence of diverse fields of expertise to address an important topic?
- Experimental Demonstration: Does the proposed research include a plan for experimental demonstration, when appropriate? Examples of demonstrations include, but are not limited to, quantum devices characterization or demonstration in a system, proof-of-concept of novel quantum functionalities, algorithms demonstration on quantum hardware, etc.
- Relevance to Quantum Interconnects: Does the project focus on quantum functionality and leverage and/or promote advances in quantum interconnects?
- Educational Potential: Consideration will be given to interesting education plans/curriculum development that would contribute to an increased convergent and diverse quantum research community, including active involvement of underrepresented communities.
Limitation Details
An Institution may submit one preliminary proposal.
If you are interested in submitting for this program, you must first submit an internal application to limsub@uga.edu according to the required instructions below.
Internal Applications must include the following:
- A cover page listing
- The name of this funding opportunity and title of your proposal
- Your name, UGA position, home department, email, and UGA contact information
- Collaborator names, positions, and institutions (if any)
- Indicate whether or not you have submitted to this program in the past. If so, please provide a copy of the review at the end of the internal application.
- A (maximum two-page) proposal summary that addresses the program’s specific selection criteria.
- One paragraph describing why this proposal should be UGA’s submission (i.e., why it will be the most competitive for this program)
- PI’s Curriculum vitae
Internal Selection
Limited Submission announcements often generate multiple competing proposals. UGA reviewers judge proposals as they would in any peer review process, so PIs are urged to put their best foot forward. Along with typical criteria, reviewers will evaluate internal proposals based on their fit with the sponsor’s articulated goals and criteria.
Internal Submission Instructions
The above internal application materials should be submitted via email as a single .PDF file to limsub@uga.edu by the internal deadline listed above.
Questions?
Please submit questions regarding the internal competition to limsub@uga.edu.
For questions directly related to this program, please contact the following program officers:
Quantum Interconnects, telephone: (703) 292-2980, email: quic@nsf.gov
View our calendar for all Current and Closed Limited Submissions.
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