In the next phase of the initiative (2025-2035), we will focus on three core strategies — talent, tools and engineered matter, and ecosystem — to drive progress. We anticipate the development of disruptive tools, methods, and concepts by a collaborative, interdisciplinary community.
Frequently asked questions
Available funding opportunities
What funding opportunities will be available in this new phase of the Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative?
We plan the following funding solicitations (timing of the solicitations is tentative):
- Investigator awards (experimentalists and theorists): Single-investigator awards providing unconstrained support to outstanding U.S. faculty — first quarter of 2026, 2029, 2032
- Tools and Engineered Matter grants (single Principal Investigators or small teams): Supporting development of novel research tools and materials aligned with our four scientific challenges and opportunities — 2027, 2028, 2030, 2031, 2033, 2034
- Quantum Bridge Fellowships: Enabling early-career researchers with core interest in quantum materials to expand their expertise to another quantum discipline — 2027, 2028, 2030, 2031, 2033, 2034
- Theory postdoctoral fellowships — annually 2029-2034
What is the funding range and period for the Investigator awards and for the Tools and Engineered Matter awards?
The Investigator awards will be six-year grants with a total amount in the range of $1.8 million to $2 million. The duration and size of the Tools and Engineered Matter awards will be flexible, depending on the project scope and team size. We anticipate that most awards will be in the range of $500 thousand to $5 million total over three to five years.
Will there be Moore Fellows in Materials Synthesis awards in the new phase of the initiative?
We will keep supporting junior experts in materials synthesis through Investigator awards. At this time, we have not determined whether we will keep using the Moore Fellows in Materials Synthesis designation for these junior investigators.
I would like to develop a novel experimental tool or a new class of hybrid quantum materials. Would this project be more suitable for an Investigator award or a Tools and Engineered Matter award?
Either option is acceptable. Investigator awards may be used to develop new tools or materials. Eligible applicants are welcome to apply for both awards.
Eligibility: Institutions and researchers
Are the funding opportunities open to international researchers?
Principal investigators for Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems proposals must be based in the U.S. While international researchers cannot serve as principal investigators, they can be included as collaborators on team projects, if their expertise is essential for the project.
Do the funding opportunities have restrictions on what type of institutions can apply?
Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Investigator awards are open only to faculty at four-year U.S. colleges and universities. For other types of Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems grants, there are no restrictions based on the type of institution, provided the institution can meet the Moore Foundation’s indirect cost limit.
Is there a preference toward certain departments?
No. Applicants from any department are welcome to apply. However, the proposed work must have a substantive relevance to fundamental quantum materials research.
Do Investigator awards have restrictions on the career stage of the principal investigator?
No. Assistant, associate and full professors can all apply.
Are Investigator awards open to both theoretical and experimental researchers? Can hybrid theory-experiment research be supported within a single investigator’s program?
Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Investigator awards are open to both theoretical and experimental researchers, although we will reserve most of these awards for scientists focusing on experimental characterization or synthesis of materials. Theorists and experimentalists will be reviewed in separate applicant pools. Once a scientist is selected as an Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Investigator, they will have the option to allocate a fraction of their grant to a collaborator with complementary expertise (e.g., experimentalist to a theorist).
Status of applicants: Previous or current awardees
Are current or prospective Experimental Physics Investigator awardees eligible for Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems awards?
Current and prospective Experimental Physics Investigator awardees can apply for Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems funding opportunities, and they will be evaluated on equal footing with all other applicants. However, if selected for Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative funding, their Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems grant budget may be adjusted if their Experimental Physics Investigator Initiative award has substantial unspent budget.
Are past or current Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems awardees eligible to apply for these new funding opportunities?
Yes. Former and current Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems awardees are welcome to apply again for new awards in the new phase of the initiative.
Review process
How will research proposals be reviewed? Will reviewers’ feedback be provided to declined applicants?
The reviewers that we engage are top-caliber experts (U.S. and international) in condensed matter physics, chemistry and other relevant fields. Depending on the type of award, the review process may or may not be dual-anonymous. We will make our best effort to provide applicants with summaries of the (anonymized) feedback from reviewers, upon request.
Proposal limits and strategy
Are there limits to the number of proposals that an institution or a researcher can submit?
There are no limits to the number of proposals submitted by an institution. A researcher can submit only one application as the lead principal investigator within any single competition. For Tools and Engineered Matter solicitations, a researcher can submit one proposal as the principal investigator and can serve as a co-investigator on one additional proposal.
Are there any disadvantages in applying for the same type of grant multiple times if not selected the first time?
Not at all. Researchers are encouraged to apply as many times as they wish if they believe they have compelling and high-impact ideas.
Research scope and fit
Will proposals from adjacent quantum fields (e.g., quantum computing, information, sensing, etc.) be considered?
Proposals from adjacent quantum fields are welcome, but only if their intent is to make a strong contribution to the fundamental understanding of quantum materials or to the creation of novel types of quantum materials.
Do proposed projects need to align with the Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative’s four scientific challenges and opportunities?
Investigator award recipients will be able to conduct research without constraints, and their research will not have to be aligned with the four scientific challenges and opportunities. On the other hand, the Tools and Engineered Matter grants are specifically designed to advance the four scientific challenges and opportunities through the development of novel research tools and hybrid material systems.
Do proposed projects need to be different from those funded by federal agencies?
A modest level of overlap with federally supported research is acceptable. However, Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative support should significantly extend and amplify what an applicant can do with government funding. Our goal is to enable science that wouldn’t happen otherwise, particularly:
- Ideas too risky or unconventional for traditional funding
- Projects requiring cross-disciplinary collaborations
- Long-horizon, exploratory research without immediate deliverables
Will there be funding opportunities for applied research?
The new phase of the initiative is designed to catalyze breakthroughs in the basic science of quantum materials. Projects exploring materials properties relevant to potential applications will be considered, as long as they are likely to bring substantial benefits to fundamental understanding of the emergent quantum properties of materials.
Quantum Bridge Fellowships
How do the Quantum Bridge Fellowships work?
Quantum Bridge Fellowships are moderately sized grants designed to help early-career researchers in quantum materials to pursue additional training in another quantum discipline. For postdoctoral researchers, the fellowship may involve co-mentorship from experts in two different quantum disciplines. For junior faculty, applicants can propose their own training plan, which may include, for example, partial sabbatical support or hosting a visiting researcher bringing complementary expertise.
Support for theoretical research
How will theoretical research be supported in the next phase of the Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative?
In previous phases of the Initiative, the bulk of support for theoretical research was focused on Theory Centers at six to eight universities. To allow a larger number of institutions to benefit from our funding, the new phase of the initiative will include a national program for theory postdocs, starting in 2029. Additionally, theory researchers will be eligible for Investigator awards and Quantum Bridge Fellowships. Finally, the Tools and Engineered Matter grants can include theorists as part of project teams.