NSF-AFRL REsearch in FLoquet Engineered QuanTum Systems
NSF-AFRL grant seeks multidisciplinary teams to research innovative quantum systems using time-periodic driving forces for advancements in quantum science and engineering.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
U.S. National Science Foundation has archived this opportunity.
Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: January 24, 2025 (Expression of Interest) | March 14, 2025 (Full Proposal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3,000,000 total for 3 years, with possible 2-year extension
Summary: Supports multidisciplinary teams researching innovative Floquet engineered quantum systems using time-periodic driving forces to advance quantum science and engineering.
Key Information: Requires at least one PI and two co-PIs from at least two different US institutions; no individual may participate on more than one proposal; Expression of Interest mandatory before full proposal submission.
Description
This grant opportunity, jointly offered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), aims to advance the understanding and control of novel quantum systems influenced by time-periodic driving forces, a field known as Floquet engineering. The program supports transformative research teams that develop new approaches to create, control, and conserve fragile quantum states on demand, enabling deployable quantum technologies.
Aligned with the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) and the National Science and Technology Council’s strategy, the solicitation encourages interdisciplinary, multi-institutional teams to propose innovative solutions in materials, devices, theory, and systems. Research areas include quantum sensing, quantum devices, quantum materials, and integrated quantum systems, with emphasis on combining photonics, quantum optics, and classical/quantum materials to access nonequilibrium states with performance beyond equilibrium limits.
The program highlights three main goals:
- Lead interagency collaboration to facilitate mid-scale research teams.
- Integrate theory, experimentation, and data-driven methods to explore Floquet engineering applications.
- Develop a skilled workforce in quantum materials, devices, and systems for academic and industrial careers.
Proposals should focus on engineering novel states of matter with enhanced quantum functionalities, including scalable quantum systems, advanced spectro-microscopy, micro- and nano-photonics, phononics, and high-frequency electronic mechanisms for direct read-out of Floquet engineered states. Priority is given to projects combining multiple modalities and extending driven-system platforms to collective mode periodic drives (e.g., phonons, magnons). Quantum computing applications are excluded.
