Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002514
Quantum Horizons: QIS Research and Innovation for Nuclear Science (DE-FOA-0002514) is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science funding opportunity from the Nuclear Physics (NP) program focused on supporting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of nuclear physics and quantum information science and technology (QIST), including quantum computing (QC). The central idea is to fund open scientific research that has a clear line of sight to enabling new discoveries about nuclear matter across its many forms and conditions, including extreme regimes that are difficult or impossible to reproduce directly today. The program frames nuclear physics as essential to understanding the universe, connecting questions about the early universe (such as quark-gluon plasma shortly after the Big Bang), the emergence of protons and neutrons and the subsequent formation of chemical elements, and the nuclear processes that power dramatic astrophysical events like supernovae.
The initiative is positioned as a coordinated effort to identify, prioritize, and align emerging opportunities that are both fundamental (deepening basic understanding) and use-inspired (tied to concrete scientific challenges) where NP and QIST overlap. In practice, that means proposals are expected to do more than simply apply a quantum method in isolation; they should make a strong case for how quantum information tools, algorithms, or hardware developments can realistically advance nuclear physics research goals. The opportunity also emphasizes a "science-first" approach, meaning the nuclear physics discovery targets should drive the QIST research direction, rather than treating nuclear physics as a generic test problem for quantum technologies.
Quantum Horizons is informed by community and interagency strategic work, including nuclear physics and quantum information science workshops (such as "Opportunities for Nuclear Physics and Quantum Information Science" and "Quantum Computing for Theoretical Nuclear Physics"), broader federal QIS planning (including the National Strategic Overview for QIS and the Interagency Working Group on QIS), and guidance from the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) through its report on Nuclear Physics and Quantum Information Science. This context signals that DOE is looking for proposals that fit into a larger, rapidly developing national research landscape, and that build on priorities and gaps already identified by experts in both nuclear physics and QIST.
Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary grant program under CFDA 81.049, with eligibility listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicant organizations may apply if they can meet DOE requirements. The posted award ceiling is $1,100,000 per award. The FOA was created on 2021-05-06, with an original closing date of 2021-06-18. Overall, the grant targets teams that can credibly bridge nuclear physics and QIST, using quantum approaches to open up new ways to calculate, simulate, model, or otherwise study nuclear systems and phenomena that are central to the DOE Nuclear Physics mission.Apply for DE FOA 0002514
- The Office of Science in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Quantum Horizons: QIS Research and Innovation for Nuclear Science" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.049.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-05-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-06-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Quantum Horizons: QIS Research and Innovation for Nuclear Science" funding opportunity?
Quantum Horizons: QIS Research and Innovation for Nuclear Science (DE-FOA-0002514) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science funding opportunity from the Nuclear Physics (NP) program. It supports open scientific research at the intersection of nuclear physics and quantum information science and technology (QIST), including quantum computing (QC).
Which DOE program is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered through the DOE Office of Science, Nuclear Physics (NP) program.
What is the main goal of this FOA?
The main goal is to fund interdisciplinary, science-first research where quantum information tools (such as quantum algorithms or quantum computing approaches) have a clear line of sight to enabling new discoveries in nuclear physics, including nuclear matter in extreme regimes that are difficult or impossible to reproduce directly today.
What does "science-first" mean in this FOA?
"Science-first" means the nuclear physics discovery targets should drive the QIST research direction. Proposals are expected to treat nuclear physics as the core scientific driver, rather than using nuclear physics as a generic test case for quantum technology development.
What kinds of research areas does the FOA aim to advance?
The FOA emphasizes research that can enable new ways to calculate, simulate, model, or otherwise study nuclear systems and phenomena central to the DOE Nuclear Physics mission, especially where quantum approaches could unlock progress beyond what is feasible today.
What nuclear physics themes or big-picture questions are highlighted?
The FOA frames nuclear physics as essential to understanding the universe, including topics such as quark-gluon plasma shortly after the Big Bang, the emergence of protons and neutrons and the subsequent formation of chemical elements, and the nuclear processes that power dramatic astrophysical events like supernovae.
How should quantum information science and technology (QIST) fit into a proposed project?
Proposals are expected to do more than apply a quantum method in isolation. They should make a strong case that quantum information tools, algorithms, or hardware developments can realistically advance specific nuclear physics research goals.
Does the FOA support work involving quantum computing (QC)?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes quantum computing as part of QIST and expects credible connections between quantum approaches (including QC) and nuclear physics discovery objectives.
Is this opportunity focused on basic research, applied research, or both?
The initiative is described as aligning opportunities that are both fundamental (deepening basic understanding) and use-inspired (tied to concrete scientific challenges) where nuclear physics and QIST overlap.
What is meant by "open scientific research" in this context?
The FOA states it will fund open scientific research. Based on the information provided, this indicates the program is aimed at broadly advancing knowledge in the nuclear physics and QIST intersection rather than closed or proprietary efforts.
How does this FOA fit into the broader national research landscape?
The FOA is positioned as a coordinated effort informed by community and interagency strategic work. It references nuclear physics and QIS workshops and broader federal QIS planning, signaling DOE interest in proposals that align with identified priorities and gaps across nuclear physics and QIST.
What workshops, plans, or advisory inputs are mentioned as context for this FOA?
The FOA is informed by efforts including workshops such as "Opportunities for Nuclear Physics and Quantum Information Science" and "Quantum Computing for Theoretical Nuclear Physics," federal planning such as the National Strategic Overview for QIS and the Interagency Working Group on QIS, and guidance from the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC), including its report on Nuclear Physics and Quantum Information Science.
What is the program type and CFDA number for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant program under CFDA 81.049.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicant organizations may apply if they can meet DOE requirements.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The posted award ceiling is $1,100,000 per award.
What is the FOA number?
The FOA number is DE-FOA-0002514.
When was this FOA created?
The FOA was created on 2021-05-06.
What was the original closing date for this FOA?
The original closing date was 2021-06-18.
What kind of team or expertise does DOE appear to be seeking?
The FOA targets teams that can credibly bridge nuclear physics and QIST. In practical terms, it suggests interdisciplinary capabilities are important, with the nuclear physics science objectives clearly motivating the QIST methods or developments proposed.
What should a strong proposal emphasize, based on the description provided?
Based on the information provided, a strong proposal should (1) define nuclear physics discovery targets that are central to the DOE NP mission, (2) explain why quantum information approaches are well matched to those targets, and (3) present a credible path showing how QIST tools, algorithms, or hardware developments could realistically advance nuclear physics research goals.
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