APS Innovation Fund Application Cycle 2024

The 2024 application cycle focus is the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). In recognizing the imperative to cultivate, enrich, and disseminate activities that foster a deeper understanding of quantum concepts and offer opportunities to the public, we are calling upon our members to take a leading role.

This cycle of the Innovation Fund is specifically dedicated to addressing the critical gap in activities that promote quantum understanding on a global scale. We invite members to develop high-quality initiatives structured for widespread adoption or adaptation, aiming to engage diverse audiences worldwide. We strongly encourage applicants to acquaint themselves with the ongoing activities of relevant units (Forums, Divisions or Sections) before formulating and submitting proposals.

The specific goals of the APS IYQ initiative are to:

• Share knowledge and education about quantum science and technology, its benefits for society and the planet, its connections to history and culture, its importance for the future, and career opportunities in this area.
• Raise awareness about the importance of quantum science and technology and the need to invest in education, research & development infrastructure.
• Build public trust in science by developing an understanding of the nature of science and fostering connections with physicists.

Application Dates & Deadlines

The application is now open. The pre-proposal deadline is May 6, 2024.

Apply now

Assistance Preparing Your Application

The APS Innovation Fund offers information sessions and consultations to help you prepare your application.

Virtual Information Session

The APS Innovation Fund hosted a virtual information session on March 22, 2024, from 12 pm to 1 pm ET.

View the information session recording

Personalized Consultations

Couldn't make it to the information session? No worries! Contact us via email, or sign up for a personalized 1:1 consultation.

The Application Timeline

Please be aware of this application timeline, including upcoming dates and deadlines, as you go through the application process:

• May 6, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET: Deadline for pre-proposals
• June: Relevant units provide feedback on the top pre-proposals identified by the Review Panel
• July: Finalists are invited to submit a full proposal
• August: Deadline for finalists to submit full proposals
• November: Grant recipients notified
• January 2025: Award start date

Eligibility

To submit a proposal, you:

• Must be an APS member
• May be US-based or an international applicant at any career stage to apply as a principal investigator (PI) with a maximum of two, optional co-PIs
• Must provide a letter of support from an advisor or department, if you are applying as a graduate student, postdoc, or are in another training position

Duration

The duration of funding is one and a half years. Projects will begin at the start of 2025 and be assessed in early 2026.

Funding Details

The APS Innovation fund will award up to five grants, each valued at a maximum of $50,000, to support community engagement, education, and diversity, equity, inclusivity, belonging, and accessibility activities.

Expenses may include, for example, travel for project personnel, materials to develop educational kits, distribution expenses, or costs to hold forums that engage stakeholders. Regarding indirect costs, Overhead is allowed but limited to 5% of APS Innovation Fund grant expenses. The requested budget, including overhead, cannot exceed $50,000.

Award funds will be issued to the PI’s institution on a reimbursement basis.

Scope

Projects may include scaling up existing activities, broadening the dissemination of existing activities, or developing new activities that can engage a large audience.

Proposals will be prioritized based on:

• Potential to advance public understanding of quantum concepts and opportunities
• Potential to build capacity for effective public outreach and engagement
• Utilization of best practices to engage global and STEM marginalized audiences in quantum science
• Alignment with existing or desired unit activities
• Ease of dissemination and adaptation

Selection Criteria

A review panel selected by the APS Board will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:

• Innovative: Proposes novel strategies or reimagines existing methods to advance the understanding of quantum concepts and opportunities
• Relevant: Aligns with the APS IYQ initiative to create, enhance, and disseminate activities promoting the public's understanding of quantum concepts and opportunities
• Feasible: The project scope is achievable with the available resources and expertise
• Desirable: Utilizes optimal strategies and methodologies to define and engage the project’s intended audience(s)
• Impact: Defines precise objectives to quantify the project’s potential impact on the broader physics community
• Viable: A strategy, if applicable, for disseminating, extending, or adapting the project after the conclusion of funding

The Pre-Proposal Application

In the pre-proposal application, you will be asked to address the following:

• Describe the innovative approach you will use, the factors that lead you to this concept, and how it contributes to advancing the comprehension of quantum concepts and associated opportunities
• Describe how the project aligns with the APS IYQ initiative to create, enhance, and disseminate activities promoting the public's understanding of quantum concepts and opportunities
• What activities will be undertaken to execute the project goals effectively? What resources are required for executing your idea? Describe the qualifications of the project team, elucidating why their expertise positions them as the optimal choice for executing the proposed idea.
• Identify your concept's target audience or beneficiaries and explain the positive impacts or advantages they will gain from its implementation. Identify the primary partners or collaborators crucial to your project and explain their significance.
• Specify pertinent metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) intended for monitoring the progress of your project. Is your target audience accessible?
• How could your idea expand its scale or scope over the long term?

Contact

If you have questions, please email the APS Innovation Fund team.