Funder: Simons Foundation
Due Dates: April 21, 2025 (LOI) | July 21, 2025 (LOI decision) | October 21, 2025 (Full proposal) | January 21, 2026 (Full proposal decision)
Funding Amounts: Flexible funding for up to 5 years; no set minimum or maximum.
Summary: Supports high-risk, high-impact theoretical research in mathematics, physics, and computer science on a case-by-case basis.
Key Information: LOI required; no advance guidance on proposals—submit if your project fits the criteria.
Description
The Simons Foundation’s Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS) division invites applications for its Targeted Grants in MPS program. This program is designed to support high-risk, high-reward theoretical research projects in mathematics, physics, and computer science that demonstrate exceptional promise and scientific importance. Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on advancing basic science and expanding opportunities for diverse researchers.
Due Dates
- Letter of Intent (LOI) submission deadline: April 21, 2025
- Notification of LOI decision: July 21, 2025
- Full proposal submission deadline: October 21, 2025 (if invited)
- Notification of full proposal decision: January 21, 2026
Note: The LOI can be submitted at any time, but these are the current cycle’s key dates.
Funding Amount
- Duration: Up to 5 years
- Amount: No recommended or assumed funding level; budgets should be appropriate to the proposed work.
- Allowable expenses include:
- Up to one month of summer salary per year for PI and co-Investigators (supplemental only, not substitutional)
- Domestic/international travel for PI(s), co-Investigators, and students
- Salary and tuition support for research staff, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate assistants
- Support for visitors and collaborators (travel, meals, lodging)
- Conferences, working meetings, and related costs
- Research equipment, experiments, computations, supplies, publication expenses, and professional dues
- Indirect costs: Limited to 20% of applicable direct costs
Eligibility
- Eligible institutions: Established U.S. and foreign public/private educational institutions and stand-alone research centers
- Eligible applicants: PIs and co-Investigators must have a Ph.D. and a tenure-track or tenured position at an eligible institution at the time of application
- No citizenship or departmental restrictions
- Not eligible: U.S. national labs (no direct funding or salary support), Simons Foundation employees (including Flatiron Institute)
- National lab scientists: May participate as non-funded collaborators (travel/local expenses may be supported)
Application Process
-
Letter of Intent (LOI):
- Submit via the Simons Award Manager (SAM)
- LOI can be submitted at any time; use the LOI to assess suitability and novelty
- Notification of LOI decision within three months
-
Full Proposal:
- If invited, submit a full proposal via SAM
- Deadline for full proposal will be at least three months after LOI approval
- Notification of decision within three months of full proposal submission
-
Instructions and Support:
- See the How to Apply tab for detailed instructions
- New applicants must register in SAM
- SAM FAQs & instructional videos are available
Additional Information
- The Simons Foundation does not provide advance guidance on potential proposals; the LOI stage is used to assess fit.
- Indirect costs are capped at 20% of applicable direct costs.
- In some cases, applications may be referred to Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (SFI) for consideration and funding, in which case SFI’s grant policies apply.
- The foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all funding opportunities.
External Links
Contact Information