The Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announces its interest in receiving applications from single investigator or small groups of investigators for support of experimental and theoretical efforts to advance materials and chemical sciences research for quantum information sciences (QIS).
This funding opportunity supports fundamental research for public benefit in materials and chemical sciences to advance our understanding of quantum phenomena in systems that could be used for QIS, and the use of quantum computing in chemical and materials sciences research. Applications must focus on the Priority Research Opportunities for experimental and theoretical research identified in the BES Roundtable Reports, “Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable on Opportunities for Quantum Computing in Chemical and Materials Sciences” or “Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable on Opportunities for Basic Research for Next-Generation Quantum Systems.” Applications must clearly articulate how the proposed research addresses the new scientific opportunities articulated in these Roundtable Reports
(https://science.energy.gov/~/media/bes/pdf/reports/2018/Quantum_computing.pdf and https://science.energy.gov/~/media/bes/pdf/reports/2018/Quantum_systems.pdf ). Additional information on each topical area follows.
Quantum Computing in Chemical and Materials Sciences: Proposals are requested for basic experimental and theoretical research focused on using quantum computers to solve scientific problems in chemical and materials sciences. Proposals should address the Priority Research Opportunities identified in the report from the “Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable on Opportunities for Quantum Computing in Chemical and Materials Sciences.” Areas of research include: controlling the quantum dynamics of nonequilibrium chemical and materials systems; unraveling the physics and chemistry of strongly correlated electron systems; embedding quantum hardware in classical frameworks; and bridging the classical–quantum computing divide. Proposals must focus on fundamental research that will target computations on realistic problems relevant to Basic Energy Sciences priorities using quantum computers that are available today and in the near (<10 year) term. For example, quantum materials, such as superconductors and complex magnetic materials, show novel kinds of ordered phases that are difficult to access via computation on classical computers. Quantum sensors based on solid materials could be greatly improved with insight from quantum computations, as could materials for information technologies. Another example is quantum chemical dynamics, which is a problem that is intrinsically well suited to studies on quantum computers, with applications including catalysis and artificial photosynthesis. Proposals that focus solely on algorithmic advances, software tools, or on engineering and/or building quantum computers will not be responsive.
Next-Generation Quantum Systems: Proposals are requested for basic experimental and theoretical research focused on the discovery and characterization of quantum phenomena that will enable the design and discovery of novel quantum information systems. Proposals should address the Priority Research Opportunities identified in the report from the “Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable on Opportunities for Basic Research for Next-Generation Quantum Systems.” In this context creating and controlling quantum states within atomic, molecular or condensed matter systems offers exciting opportunities for fundamental research, as well as for enabling next-generation quantum-based technologies. Areas of research include: synthesis of materials for the development of quantum coherent systems that involve in-situ characterization and real-time machine learning and target quantum information functionality; creation and control of coherent phenomena in quantum systems emphasizing an improved understanding of entanglement and enhanced coherence lifetimes; transduction of quantum coherent states between disparate physical systems (light, charge, spin) with high fidelity. Proposals will also be considered for fundamental research on quantum-based systems with potential for extreme sensing, detection, and control capabilities, for precise time, space and field measurements, as well as the development and application of these capabilities to probe material properties and chemical processes. Proposals that solely focus on engineering design or systematic optimization of devices will not be responsive.
Applications that are not programmatically aligned with BES research (see https://science.energy.gov/bes/mse/ and https://science.energy.gov/bes/csgb/) will be considered non-responsive.
Note that an entity may submit only two letters of intent as the lead organization, and as a result, may submit only two applications. An institution may participate in any number of applications as a team member.
All entities submitting applications to this FOA must recognize the legal obligations to comply with export controls. Please see 10 CFR 810 for further information. This FOA is to support scientific endeavors that could be described in scholarly publications. Do not submit applications containing restricted data or unclassified nuclear information as defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 USC 2011 et seq., 10 CFR 1017, 10 CFR 1045.
For more information:
https://www.grants.gov/custom/viewOppDetails.jsp?oppId=302945
Interested applicants should send the following documents in sequence in one PDF no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
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Cover Page must include:
- The planned title of the research application
- Name and mailing address of the sponsoring institution
- Lead Principal Investigator and any co-PIs Name, Institution, email address, and telephone number
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3 page summary to include:
- A brief abstract
- A description of the proposed research, proposed methods of accomplishment. Describe how the research will respond to the priority research opportunities identified in the BES roundtable reports. (https://science.energy.gov/~/media/bes/pdf/reports/2018/Quantum_computing.pdf and https://science.energy.gov/~/media/bes/pdf/reports/2018/Quantum_systems.pdf)
- Total project cost information.
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Formatting Guidelines and Page Limit:
- Font/size: Times New Roman (12 pt.)
- Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
- Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)