Funder: Simons Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (Letter of Intent)
Funding Amounts: Flexible funding for up to 5 years; no fixed award size, tailored to project needs.
Summary: Supports high-risk, high-reward theoretical research projects in mathematics, physics, and computer science.
Key Information: Letter of Intent submission via Simons Award Manager accepted anytime; full proposal by invitation only.
Description
The Simons Foundation’s Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS) division offers the Targeted Grants in MPS program to fund high-risk, high-impact theoretical research projects in mathematics, physics, and computer science. This program supports projects of exceptional promise and scientific importance on a case-by-case basis, emphasizing innovative and potentially transformative ideas.
Funding is flexible and can be provided for up to five years, with the amount and duration tailored to the specific needs of the proposed research. The program covers a broad range of allowable expenses including partial salary support, travel, research personnel, equipment, and other direct research costs.
The foundation uses a two-stage application process starting with a Letter of Intent (LOI) submitted at any time. Following review, selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. Decisions on LOIs and full proposals are typically communicated within three months of submission.
The Simons Foundation is committed to fostering diversity and equal opportunity in science and mathematics, encouraging applications from a broad range of researchers without restrictions on citizenship or departmental affiliation.
Due Dates
- Letter of Intent (LOI): Rolling submission via Simons Award Manager (SAM)
- Full Proposal: By invitation only, deadline provided upon LOI approval (no sooner than three months after LOI notification)
Funding Amount
- Funding duration: Up to 5 years
- Funding amount: Flexible, no fixed or recommended award size; tailored to project needs
- Indirect costs limited to 20% of applicable direct costs
Eligibility
- Applicants must be from established U.S. or foreign public/private educational institutions or stand-alone research centers
- Principal Investigators (PIs) and co-Investigators must hold a Ph.D. and have a tenure-track or tenured position at the time of application
- No citizenship or departmental restrictions for PIs
- Funding is not available for U.S. national labs or salary support of scientists employed at these labs; however, lab scientists may participate as non-funded collaborators
- Simons Foundation employees (including Flatiron Institute) are not eligible to apply as PIs or receive funding for salary, travel, or research expenses
Application Process
- Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) anytime via the Simons Award Manager (SAM)
- LOIs are reviewed for suitability and novelty; applicants are notified within approximately three months
- Selected LOIs lead to invitation for full proposal submission via SAM
- Full proposal deadline is communicated with the invitation and is no sooner than three months after LOI approval
- Final funding decisions are typically made within three months of full proposal submission
Allowable Expenses
- Up to one month of summer salary and related benefits per year for PI and co-Investigators (supplemental only, not to reduce teaching loads or replace institutional salary)
- Domestic and international travel for PI(s), co-Investigator(s), students, visitors, and collaborators
- Salary and benefits for research staff, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate research assistants, including tuition support
- Support for visitors and collaborators (travel, meals, lodging)
- Conferences and working meetings related to the project (travel, lodging, meals, facility fees, vehicle rentals)
- Research equipment, experiments, computations, supplies, computers, professional literature, publication expenses, and professional membership dues
Additional Information
- Indirect costs are capped at 20% of applicable direct costs
- The Simons Foundation reserves the right to refer applications to The Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (SFI), where different grant policies may apply
- The foundation emphasizes expanding pathways to science and supports equal opportunity without discrimination based on protected categories
External Links
Contact Information
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|
| Email | info@simonsfoundation.org |
| Phone | +1 212-524-6966 |
| Address | 160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010, USA |