Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science and Engineering | 22 561

Opportunity Information: Apply for 22 561

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (ExpandQISE) program is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to grow the national base of institutions actively contributing to Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE). The core idea is to expand research capacity and broaden participation by funding both research and education efforts that can lead to meaningful scientific and engineering advances, while also strengthening the workforce pipeline in a field where demand from industry, government, and academia is rising faster than the available talent. Rather than concentrating resources only in already well-established quantum hubs, this program is structured to build a more diversified, resilient QISE ecosystem across the country.

A key eligibility feature is that this opportunity targets Institutions of Higher Education with relatively limited recent federal support in QISE. Specifically, eligible institutions are those that, during the five most recent calendar years prior to the solicitation’s publication, received no more than $5,000,000 in total federal funding for QISE research as defined by the solicitation’s focus areas (referenced as Focus Areas 1, 2, and 3 in the Program Description). In practice, this means ExpandQISE is meant for universities and colleges that have promising capabilities or emerging teams in quantum-related areas but have not yet reached the level of sustained, large-scale federal investment seen at major quantum centers and top-tier research institutions.

The program also emphasizes connection and integration with the broader QISE landscape. NSF’s intent is not to create isolated new efforts, but to help newer or less-resourced institutions build momentum by linking with existing impactful work at established QISE Centers or leading QISE research institutions. This encourages collaboration, knowledge transfer, shared infrastructure or expertise when appropriate, and faster development of a critical mass of researchers, students, and activities at institutions that are not yet fully engaged in QISE. The outcome NSF is pushing toward is an expanded national capacity where more institutions can contribute to breakthroughs and train the next generation of quantum talent.

Broadening participation is an explicit priority. In line with NSF’s wider goals for inclusive participation in science and engineering, institutions where more than 50 percent of enrolled students are from groups currently underrepresented in the sciences are especially encouraged to apply. This includes, for example, Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). The program’s structure signals that building quantum capacity is not only a technical objective but also a workforce and equity objective: expanding who has access to QISE research experiences, training pathways, and career opportunities.

From the posted opportunity details, the funding opportunity title is “Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science and Engineering,” with opportunity number NSF 22-561. The agency is the National Science Foundation, and the funding instrument is a grant. The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the listed CFDA numbers include 47.041, 47.049, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, and 47.083. The solicitation was created on January 27, 2022, with an original closing date of June 3, 2022, and NSF anticipated making about 62 awards. The award ceiling is listed as 0 in the source data, which typically indicates that the ceiling is not specified in that field and applicants should rely on the full solicitation for any award-size guidance or constraints.

Overall, ExpandQISE can be read as a capacity-building and field-growing initiative: it targets institutions that have not historically received large amounts of QISE funding, encourages strong linkages to established quantum leaders to accelerate maturation, and prioritizes broadening participation so that the emerging quantum workforce reflects a wider cross-section of society.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science and Engineering" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 27, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 03, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 62 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 22 561

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