Funding

Discipline(s): Engineering (ENG); Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS); Biological Sciences (BIO)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have a mutual interest in innovative research on quantum technologies that can advance biomedical science. This shared interest aligns with the National Quantum Initiative as described in the National Science and Technology Council's strategy on Bringing Quantum Sensors to Fruition (https://www.quantum.gov/wp-content/uploads/ 2022/03/BringingQuantumSensorstoFruition.pdf). In particular, the NSF, and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) of the NIH are collaborating to promote the advancement of quantum sensors for biomedical research in clinical settings.

This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) announces an opportunity for researchers currently supported by NSF to request supplemental funding to extend their research on quantum sensing toward biomedical and clinical applications. Following consultation with a cognizant NSF program officer, supplemental funding may be requested to support postdoctoral fellows or graduate research associates to perform research that integrates developers of new quantum technologies with potential end-users for the anticipated sensors and devices.

Priority will be given to supplemental funding requests that identify meaningful research collaborations that connect current NSF-funded teams with researchers in biomedical or clinical research settings. Joint efforts on research, development, and demonstration of quantum sensing and imaging tools, or other instantiations of quantum technology are sought. The nature of existing or proposed partnerships should be articulated in the description of the supplemental funding request and can be substantiated with letters of collaboration consistent with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

Prior to submission of a supplemental funding request, PIs must submit a brief 1-page Concept Outline (CO). The Concept Outline for case (i) should include 1) Project Title, 2) Parent award number and title,3) identified (potential) collaborators in biomedical and clinical fields such as those supported by NIH, 4) a summary of the proposed research, outlining specific aims/objectives, methods, intended clinical application in biomedical research, and anticipated outputs. The Concept Outline for case (ii) should be similar to case (i), except item 4) should provide a summary of the proposed theme and activities of workshop or collaboration-building events.

The Concept Outline must be submitted via email to bioqusense@nsf.gov and include the Program Director on the parent award in the email. For FY24 funding consideration, the Concept Outlines must be received by June 10, 2024.