Frequently Asked Questions
Available funding opportunities
We plan the following funding solicitations (timing of the solicitations is tentative):
Investigator awards (material synthesis, 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
The Investigator awards will be six-year grants with a total amount in the range of $800,000 to $1.8 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.
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
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.
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.
No. Applicants from any department are welcome to apply. However, the proposed work must have a substantive relevance to fundamental quantum materials research.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
Quantum Bridge Fellowships
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
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.
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