NSF-Simons National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes in the Astronomical Sciences

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Simons Foundation Division of Mathematics and Physical Sciences shall jointly sponsor up to two national AI research institutes in the astronomical sciences.

Rationale

The purpose of the program is to advance basic research in AI and the astronomical sciences through support for up to two national AI research institutes. The program intends to support institutes that have, as their primary focus, the co-advancement of astronomy, astrophysics and artificial intelligence through multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder research on large-scale, longer-term horizon challenges. The institutes will accelerate the development of transformational technologies by grounding that research in critical astronomy and astrophysics challenges that can advance foundational research in both AI and astronomical sciences. They will also actively build the next generation of AI workforce in the astronomical sciences.

Funding

NSF and the Simons Foundation have each committed $20,000,000 to support up to two institutes over five years. The average total size and duration of a grant will be $4M per year for 5 years, evenly split between the NSF and the Simons Foundation.

How to Apply & Budget Guidelines

Letters of intent and full proposals must be submitted via the NSF as outlined in the program solicitation. An applicant must have submitted a preliminary proposal to be able to submit a full proposal.

Awards will be made jointly with the Simons Foundation. All application materials should be submitted to NSF. NSF will share all submitted materials with the Simons Foundation.

Half of the proposal budget must be prepared following the Simons Foundation’s grant policies, including the indirect costs policy.

The funding provided by the Simons Foundation may be used to support institute expenses in the following categories:

• Salary support and related benefits for institute leadership.
• Salary support and related benefits, including tuition support, for staff/research scientists and postdoctoral, graduate and/or undergraduate research assistants.
• Scientific travel by institute members per the institution’s travel policies. International travel is permitted. Parking, hotel, taxi, registration and other related travel and conference costs are allowable.
• Conferences and working meetings and scientific programs and workshops appropriate to the needs of the institute.
• Support for visitors and collaborators, including domestic and international travel, meals and lodging expenses.
• Research and computing equipment, supplies and other expenses directly related to the institute, including publication costs.
• Administrative or clerical services integral to the institute, provided that the effort of the individuals involved can be specifically identified with the institute and thatsuch costs are not also recovered as indirect costs.
• Scientific advisory board services and related meetings.
• Other expenses related to the support and administration of the institute (e.g., web design).

For further guidance, please see the foundation’s grant award policies.

Please note: The Simons Foundation does not use the role of co-PI. Individuals on the Simons Foundation budget must be designated as PI, co-Investigator (“co-I”) or other role.

Applicants are required to submit a detailed, five-year budget and justification for the Simons Foundation portion of the award. The budget should reflect a ramp-up of the institute’s activities during Years 1 and 2, with a full complement of activities implemented no later than the beginning of Year 3. These budgets must be submitted using the Simons Foundation budget template. The “Complete 1st-Detail Yr1” worksheet should be completed first. The “Budget Summary” worksheet will auto-populate with the amounts provided in the corresponding worksheets. The consortium and contractual costs in the detail yearly budgets will auto-populate with the total costs in the sub-budget yearly worksheets. Please edit only fields highlighted in green. For budgets with subcontracts, a subcontract budget and budget justification for each subcontract must be included (if there is more than one subcontract on a budget, please contact the foundation for a modified template). Please note that fields should be completed as appropriate and should not be left blank where information is requested. Insufficient budgets and justifications may result in the proposal not being considered further.

Submitted proposal budgets must include the entire budget: summary, detail, justification and subcontract (if applicable) worksheets.

Reporting

An annual progress report will be due to the NSF as outlined in the program solicitation. The Simons Foundation requires the submission of annual progress reports and financial statements as outlined in our grant policies.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to grantmaking that inspires and supports greater diversity and inclusiveness by cultivating a funding environment that ensures representation of all identities and differences and equitable access to information and resources for all applicants and grantees.

The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants for funding without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law. The foundation also funds programs directed at supporting scientists from disadvantaged backgrounds or underrepresented groups, often working closely with professional societies and other funding agencies.