Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative

People

To maximize the potential of experimentalists and theorists to make breakthrough discoveries in the field, we support experimental investigators in quantum materials and theoretical research groups at leading universities.

Scroll down to see full list of investigators and fellows.

EPiQS Experimental Investigators

EPiQS investigators are given the freedom and flexibility to pursue challenging and novel research directions, which often take time to result in tangible results and may produce surprising discoveries. Many investigators work on development of novel experimental techniques to solve outstanding problems in the field. Currently, we support 19 experimental investigators through five-year grants.

Theory Centers

To boost theoretical research in the field, our Theory Centers portfolio currently supports eight academic institutions with proven excellence in theory of quantum materials. The bulk of our funding is focused on support for postdoctoral scholars and visiting scientists. Through these awards, we aim to maximize scientific productivity and enrich the overall intellectual environment at the selected institutions. Moore postdoctoral scholars have the freedom to choose their research topics and work with multiple faculty members. Postdoctoral appointments are up to three years, while visiting scientist appointments range from a few weeks to several months. We currently provide support to six theory centers through five-year grants.

Materials Synthesis

Materials discovery and refinement are key drivers of progress in quantum materials research. Experimentalists need access to high-quality samples and the scarcity of such materials is often a major hurdle to advancing the field. Our aim is to bolster materials synthesis and discovery and improve the academic career paths for materials synthesis scientists. We do this by supporting both senior and junior investigators through two different types of awards.

EPiQS Materials Synthesis Investigators

Similar to experimental investigator awards, materials synthesis investigator awards have the goal of providing some of the leading researchers in materials synthesis with the freedom and support to explore new synthesis routes and discover new materials that can drive progress in the field. The anticipated outcomes of these awards are not only new types of quantum materials exhibiting novel properties, but also an increased availability of high-quality materials for the experimentalist community.

Moore Fellows in Materials Synthesis

We established the Moore Fellows in Materials Synthesis awards to facilitate the placement of promising early-career synthesis experts in leading U.S. academic institutions and enable these researchers to establish robust research programs in their new academic labs.

Scroll down to see the list of Synthesis Investigators and Fellows.

Flexible Funding

The goal of flexible funding grants is to drive scientific innovation by enhancing experimental capabilities at leading research institutions and supporting timely projects with the potential to make breakthroughs in the studies and the discovery of quantum materials. These grants have two varieties: equipment development grants and rapid-response grants.

Equipment Development

Equipment grants support the development of sophisticated and sometimes one-of-a-kind instrumentation at institutions with active research programs in quantum materials.

Rapid-Response Grants

Rapid response grants support exceptionally timely projects with a very high potential impact. These projects may include experimental tests of novel important theoretical concepts and innovative, as well as unconventional research endeavors that are unlikely to be supported through traditional funding channels due to their high-risk nature.

View EPiQS Flexible Funding grants and learn about past recipients.

Community Building

We recognize the importance of collaboration to the scientific discovery process and to amplifying the impact of individual research efforts. That is why we focus on creating and sustaining a collaborative research community to promote the exchange of materials and knowledge. We do this through community-building activities that include:

Meetings

To stimulate scientific collaboration and exchange we support investigator and postdoctoral symposia, as well as a variety of workshops, summer schools and other meetings, designed to bring together EPiQS grantees and other researchers in the field.

Networking

To strengthen cooperation within the EPiQS community and beyond, we support a scientist exchange program, institution-focused activities aimed at leveraging research grant contributions and partnerships with other programs that share a common interest in accelerating progress in the science of quantum materials.