Simons Foundation – Simons Collaborations in Mathematics and the Physical Sciences

Sponsor’s Website

Visit the Simons Foundation website for more information on Simons Collaborations in Mathematics and the Physical Sciences.

Internal Contacts

Katie Harriman: katie.harriman@carleton.ca
Heloise Emdon: HeloiseEmdon@CUNET.CARLETON.CA

Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss this funding opportunity with their Faculty Research Facilitator.

Deadlines

Dates are anticipated and subject to change.

Overview

The program aims to stimulate progress on fundamental scientific questions of major importance in mathematics, theoretical physics, and theoretical computer science.

A Simons Collaboration should address a topic of fundamental scientific importance where a significant new development has created a novel area for exploration or provides a new direction for progress in an established field. Projects should have clearly defined goals and measurable milestones, involve outstanding researchers across a range of career stages, and demonstrate that foundation support is critical to achieving the project’s objectives.

Each collaboration is led by a Collaboration Director and includes a core team of Principal Investigators (PIs). Collaborations are expected to foster a high level of scientific interaction and coordination among participants. Interinstitutional and international collaborations are permitted.

Value and Duration

Up to US$2 million per year for an initial four-year period, including indirect costs, for a total value of up to US$8 million.

The scientific impact of the collaboration will be reviewed at the end of the initial term, and an extension of up to three additional years may be granted.

Eligibility

Collaboration Director

The Collaboration Director must:

• Hold a tenured faculty, or equivalent, appointment at a U.S. or Canadian educational institution.
• Be based in a department that offers a PhD program.
• Hold the eligible appointment at the time of application and for the duration of the award.

Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-Investigators (Co-Is)

PIs and Co-Is must:

• Hold a tenured or tenure-track faculty appointment, or equivalent, at an educational institution.
• Maintain the eligible appointment throughout the award period.

There are no restrictions on departmental affiliation or discipline, provided the proposed research aligns with the program objectives. Participants may be based at institutions outside the United States and Canada.

An individual in a PI, Additional PI or co-I role may be part of not more than two letters of intent (LOI) and only one full proposal, as long as all eligibility requirements are met.

Special Requirements

• Applications begin with a Letter of Intent (LOI).
• Only applicants invited following the LOI stage may submit a full proposal.
• Proposals should identify a core group of PIs at the LOI stage; additional PIs may be added only after LOI approval.
• Collaborations are expected to participate in an annual meeting hosted by the Simons Foundation.

Submitting Your Application

1. Submit an internal Approval Form through our central awards management database cuResearch.

2. Submit an external Letter of Intent to the Simons Award Manager (SAM) portal. Signature is required from the institutional signing authority.