Research and Innovation Office

Extramural Coordinated Funding


UM Submission Instructions: Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC)- Expression of Interest 2025

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Award Title: Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC)- Expression of Interest
Amount: $1 Million to $6 Million
Awards from $1M–$6M/year for 6 years.
UM Deadline: 01/10/2025
Sponsor Deadline: 08/01/2025
Description: The University of Minnesota’s Research Innovation Office (RIO) invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from faculty and researchers that are considering or interested in joining a team or submitting a proposal for an NSF Physics Frontier Center (PFC). The NSF PFC program aims to support transformative research at the frontiers of physics, with the goal of addressing fundamental scientific questions through innovative, large-scale collaborations.

For the NSF PFC, we are initiating a new process for what we anticipate will be a limited submission grant from the University. With these EOIs we are hoping to understand who is interested in this opportunity and work with potential teams to assure that they are as ready as possible to submit a proposal. Teams who submit an EOI will receive guidance and advising from the SPARC team in RIO in advance of the next solicitation to plan and prepare a competitive proposal for the internal UMN limited submission process and full proposal should it be invited. There will be an internal limited submission application process before the RFA is issued to identify proposal teams for submission. Submitting an EOI is not required for that process. However, we expect the teams that participate in the EOI and team support process to be better prepared for the limited submission competition and proposal.

We are seeking EOIs from researchers or teams of researchers who are considering or interested in submitting a proposal. Strong applicants should have outstanding scientific credentials, expertise in frontier areas of physics, and a demonstrated track record of collaborative research. The proposed Physics Frontier Center should aim to push the boundaries of current physics knowledge, bringing together diverse theoretical and experimental approaches.

Research Focus Areas

NSF is particularly interested in research areas that include, but are not limited to:
Quantum Information Science
Gravitational Wave Physics
Dark Matter and Dark Energy
High-Energy Particle Physics
Cosmology and Astrophysics
Condensed Matter Physics
Biological Physics

EOIs should focus on novel, high-risk, high-reward ideas that have the potential to transform our understanding of fundamental physics.
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit: 1
Additional Requirements: None
Sponsor Guidelines: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/pfc-physics-frontiers-centers
UM Nominations Process: Interested parties are requested to submit an EOI through the linked google form by January 10, 2025

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT EOI FORM
Peer Review Coordination: Research and Innovation Office contact email
Status: The internal deadline has passed but no applicants were selected. Please contact the office coordinating the peer review for more information.
Please note: To be considered for peer review and internal selection, faculty must follow the above submission guidelines and meet the UM deadline as set by the office coordinating the peer review for this opportunity.



General Information

  • Each posting has information about the external sponsor and opportunity as well as the internal application instructions.
  • Opportunities can be sorted by column headings; just click on the heading to re-sort by that column.
  • When a link redirects you to another site, it opens in a new browser window.
  • If you know of an opportunity that is not on the list, please contact Robyn Kennedy.
Column Descriptions

  • Sponsor: redirects you to the sponsor's main website
  • Title/Guidelines: redirects you to sponsor specific information regarding the opportunity which may include description, eligibility, budget instructions, forms and other requirements
  • Amount: Maximum dollar amount awarded.
  • Add’l Req: Identifies special requirements such as cost sharing, partners, etc.
  • Sponsor Deadline: External deadline identified by the sponsor.
  • UM Submission Instructions: Contains specific internal submission requirements including internal proposal instructions, deadline, eligibility, internal nomination process, contact information.
  • # Apps: The maximum number of applications the sponsor will allow the university to submit.
  • UM Deadline: Submission deadline for internal proposal as determined by the coordinating office.
  • Status:
    • Open: UM deadline has not passed and the opportunity is open for application.
    • In Review: Peer review process is in progress for the opportunity.
    • PI Selected: The PI has been selected as the official UM nominee.
    • Closed: Sponsor deadline has passed and the opportunity is closed for application.
U of M Submission Instructions (Required)

This link includes summary sponsor information, specific instructions for internal submission and contact information for the university office coordinating the nomination process.

  • Follow the directions in the submission instructions and submit required materials by the UM deadline to the contact indicated.
  • Instructions vary according to the requirements of the sponsor and the university office coordinating the nomination process.
Registration (optional)

Registration is an optional but highly recommended feature. Perhaps you are looking for a wider audience for your proposal idea, or for potential collaborators to work with to create a stronger application. Registration allows applicants to share proposal ideas and post contact information.

Registration also provides information that helps the university office overseeing the nomination to determine the level of coordination needed and guide the review process.

To register (or view registrants), click on the UM Submission Instructions for a specific opportunity, then click on the Register Interest link.

Selection Process

  • Once the internal deadline has passed, the status will change to “In Review” and proposals will undergo review.
  • If there are multiple applicants, the office managing the nomination will determine the review criteria and coordinate the review process.
  • Once review has been completed all parties will be notified via email.
  • Nominees will be provided with a letter addressed to the sponsor from the RIO indicating that they are the university's nominee. This letter should accompany the nominee's proposal.
  • SPA is notified of the university's nominee(s) and the status is updated to “PI Selected”.


*If you have questions about the University's process related to extramural funding opportunities requiring nomination or if you have any technical issues with the site, contact collabor8@umn.edu.

For questions, please contact RIO's Research Advancement group.