Extramural Coordinated Funding

UM Submission Instructions: Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes (QLCI) 2025

Sponsor:	National Science Foundation (NSF)
Award Title:	Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes (QLCI)
Amount:	$2 Million to $7.5 Million It is anticipated that individual Challenge Institutes can be funded at a level between $2 Million per year and $7.5 Million per year, for up to 6 years.
UM Deadline:	12/20/2024
Sponsor Deadline:	02/07/2025
Description:	NOTE: Letter of Intent due 2/7/2025, Preliminary Proposal due 3/7/2025 There are no limitations on the number of Letters of Intent, but organizations may only submit 2 Preliminary Proposals The Quantum Leap Challenge Institute (QLCI) program will fund Institutes comprised of multidisciplinary groups of scientists and engineers united by a common challenge theme for advancing the research frontiers in focus areas such as quantum networking, quantum computation, quantum simulation and/or quantum sensing. The Challenge Institutes will also contribute to the development of a well-trained workforce through cross-disciplinary and collaborative basic research, project-driven training, and innovative curricula. The QLCI program is expected to facilitate research, training, and education through exposure of trainees to theoretical frameworks, algorithmic techniques, experimental platforms and testbeds, and interactions with national laboratories, industry, and international partners. The Challenge Institutes will build on prior investments in quantum information science and engineering and are expected to coordinate and integrate with ongoing and new NSF QIST initiatives, including center-scale, infrastructure, and workforce development activities. The establishment of new Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, or the renewal of existing Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes may be proposed in response to this Solicitation. Proposals in both cases will be considered in a single merit review process.
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit:	2
Additional Requirements:	Letter of Intent
Sponsor Guidelines:	https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/quantum-leap-challenge-institutes-qlci/nsf24-599/solicitation#elig
UM Nominations Process:	Those interested in applying should submit the following as a single pdf document to collabor@umn.edu no later than 4pm on 12/20: 1. Cover page including PI name, department, contact information, project title, any co-PI's name and department, and one paragraph project abstract. 2. Project summary - to include solicitation specific information. (not more than three pages) - 3. Biosketch of PI and any co-PI's (2 - 5 pages, NSF or NIH format). 4. 2-3 names of possible reviewers (with no Conflicts of Interest) plus 5 keywords to be used as search terms for possible reviewers (can be added to Cover Page) Any questions can be submitted to collabor@umn.edu.
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.