The NSF Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (ExpandQISE) program aims to increase research capacity and broaden participation in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) and related disciplines through the creation of a diversified investment portfolio in research and education that will lead to scientific and engineering breakthroughs, while securing a talent pipeline in a field where workforce needs of industry, government and academia continue to outgrow the available talent.
The ExpandQISE program helps build and maintain a close connection between new efforts and existing impactful work in research, research training, education, outreach, and broadening participation done at the existing QISE Centers such as, for example but not limited to NSF QLCI Institutes, DOE National Research Centers, NSF Quantum Foundries, or leading QISE research Institutions, while creating and nurturing necessary critical mass at Institutions not yet fully involved in QISE. In keeping with the NSF goal of increasing the participation of all members of society in the scientific enterprise, institutions from EPSCoR jurisdictions, and institutions at which more than 50% of enrolled students come from groups that are currently under-represented in the sciences, e.g. minority-serving institutions (MSIs), are especially encouraged to apply.
Following the agreement between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation developed in the course of implementation of the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018, the ExpandQISE program is coordinated with the Department of Energy (DOE), including sharing of information about submissions, the review processes and projects funding coordination.
DOE Program Managers may also recommend reviewers and attend the review panels as observers. Principal Investigators submitting proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in response to this solicitation can expect that Program Managers from DOE will have access to the following information: letters of intent, white papers, proposals, unattributed reviews and panel summaries. DOE Program Managers may also recommend reviewers and attend the review panels as observers. Coordination with the DOE will help avoid duplication of funding by the agencies and contribute to enhancing the breadth and impact of the investments by each agency.
Anticipated Funding Amount: Track 2 awards are anticipated to be up to $5,000,000 total per award for a duration up to 5 years pending the availability of funds and quality of proposals received.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 2
Letters of Intent: Required
Preliminary Proposals: Not Required
For this limited submission opportunity, the office of the 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 and note the following dates:
February 10, 2023, 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
February 24, 2023: Based on recommendations of the Limited Submission Committee, the VCR will notify the selected PIs. OGCA will also communicate this decision to the department fiscal/proposal staff.
March 3, 2023, 5:00 p.m. AKST: The Letter of Intent is due to OGCA after unit preparation and approval is completed.
March 10, 2023, 5:00 p.m. AKST: The Letter of Intent is due for submission to NSF.
April 14, 2023, 5:00 p.m. AKST: Full Proposal is due to OGCA.
April 24, 2023, 5:00 p.m. AKST: Full Proposal is due NSF.