Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO). Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity.

Program Summary

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) announces its interest in receiving applications to improve our understanding of whether, when, and how quantum computing might advance the frontiers of computational science. Specifically, the purpose of this FOA is to invite applications for basic research to address the following questions:Ìý

  1. What can fundamental physical limits on quantum processors tell us about what quantum computers can and cannot do?
  2. How can we use Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices to move our understanding of when and how quantum computers might be useful as far forward as possible?
  3. How can we assess the utility of a given (existing or hypothetical) quantum processor for advancing the frontiers of computational science?

Applications may address any combination of these themes.Ìý

Out-of-Scope Topics: Applications and pre-applications that include research in the following topics are out of scope of this FOA and may be declined without merit review:

  • Research that does not address the specific topics listed above;
  • Development and/or optimization of quantum algorithms;
  • Development of new candidate qubit systems or improvement to physical qubits;
  • Quantum computing schemes based on qubits that have not yet demonstrated highfidelity logic operations;
  • Schemes to improve the performance and functionality of qubits;
  • Quantum transduction;
  • Quantum communication, networking, and key distribution; and • Cryptography and cryptanalysis.

Deadlines

Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØInternal Deadline: 11:59pm MST March 16, 2023

DOE Pre-Application Deadline: 3:00pm MST March 31, 2023Ìý

DOE Application Deadline: 9:59pm MST May 3, 2023

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Project Summary (1 page maximum): Provide the name of the applicant, the project title, the PI and the PI’s institutional affiliation, any coinvestigators (including any unfunded collaborators) and their institutional affiliations, the objectives of the project, a description of the project, including methods to be employed, and the potential impact of the project (i.e., benefits, outcomes).
  • Lead PI Curriculum Vitae
  • Budget Overview (1 page maximum): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

The PI on a letter of intent, pre-application, or application may also be listed as a senior or key personnel on an unlimited number of separate submissions.

Limited Submission Guidelines

Applicant institutions are limited to no more than three pre-applications. DOE will consider the latest received submissions to be the institution’s intended submissions. Pre-applications in excess of the limited number of submissions may be discouraged.

Award Information

Ceiling: $300,000 per year.

Floor: $50,000 per year.

Period of Performance: 4 years