The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. Activities supported through the program are in all sub-fields of physics within the purview of the Division of Physics: atomic, molecular, optical, plasma, elementary particle, nuclear, particle astro-, gravitational, and biological physics. Interdisciplinary projects at the interface between these physics areas and other disciplines and physics sub-fields may also be considered, although the bulk of the effort must fall within one of those areas within the purview of the Division of Physics. The successful PFC activity will demonstrate: (1) the potential for a profound advance in physics; (2) creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, diversity, and public outreach; (3) potential for broader impacts, e.g., impacts on other field(s) and benefits to society; (4) a synergy or value-added rationale that justifies a center- or institute-like approach.

Anticipated Funding Amount is $6,000,000 to $8,000,000 in FY 2023, pending availability of funds and the quality of proposals received.

For this limited submission opportunity, the UAF office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) is soliciting white papers. White paper guidelines are available at http://www.uaf.edu/ogca/resources/regulations/limited-submissions/.

For additional details, please visit the NSF site link provided above and note the following dates:

May 27, 2022, 5:00 p.m. AKST: White paper submission for UAF-wide competition. White papers with budgets must be received by 5:00 p.m. on or before the internal submission deadline. White papers should be submitted through the UAF Limited Submission & White Paper Application form available at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7ehN3tsgVg78-XAMmZlvjqMf4mC6EuLwzRDRfQaSJLOCMbA/viewform?usp=sf_link

June 10, 2022: Based on recommendations of the Limited Submission Committee, the VCR will notify the selected PIs. OGCA will also communicate this decision to relevant department fiscal/proposal staff.

July 22, 2022, 5:00 p.m. AKST: Preliminary Proposal is due to OGCA after unit preparation and approval is completed.

August 1, 2022, 5:00 p.m. AKST: Preliminary Proposal is due for submission NSF.

January 13, 2023, 5:00 p.m. AKST: Full Proposal is due to OGCA.

January 27, 2023, 5:00 p.m. AKST: Full Proposal is due to NSF.