Reminder – Simons Foundation Call

The original Open Call was sent via email on July 15, 2020.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Limited Submission – Simons Foundation – Young Investigators 2021 competition. Click on the link below to view more information. Please distribute this information widely among interested departments and faculty in your divisions.  

• Internal Submission Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2020
• Award Cycle: 2021
• Discipline/Subject Area: Mathematics, Physics, Astrophysics and Computer Science
• Funding Available: 660,000
• Foundation Name: Simons Foundation
• Foundation Program Name: Investigators in Mathematics, Physics, Astrophysics and Computer Science
• Description:A joint announcement from the
  The Office of Research and the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations

  Internal Deadline: August 14, 2020
  Funder: Simons Foundation
  Program: Investigators in Mathematics, Physics, Astrophysics and Computer Science
  Funding Level: $660,000
  UCSC contacts: Samantha Forde, CFR, forde@ucsc.edu
  John MacMillan, OR, jomacmil@ucsc.edu

  Call sent July 13, 2020

  Overview
  The Simons Investigators program aims to support for outstanding theoretical midcareer scientists, enabling them to undertake long-term investigations of fundamental questions in their fields. The intent of the program is to support these scientists in their most productive years, when they are establishing new research directions, providing leadership in the field and effectively mentoring junior scientists.

  The Simons Foundation’s Mathematics and Physical Sciences division invites nominations for Simons Investigators in Mathematics, (Theoretical) Physics, (Theoretical) Astrophysics and Theoretical Computer Science. Within the Physics program, the foundation also invites nominations for Theoretical Physics in Life Sciences Investigators.

  The campus can submit up to two nominations in each of the Mathematics, Physics, Astrophysics and Theoretical Computer Science programs (e.g., two in Mathematics, two in Physics) and up to one additional nomination in Theoretical Physics in Life Sciences (e.g., three total in Physics — two for Theoretical Physics and one for Theoretical Physics in the Life Sciences).

  IMPORTANT: The Foundation asks that nominations are kept confidential. The nominees should not know that they are being nominated, if possible.

  Award Amount & Terms
  • A Simons Investigator is appointed for an initial period of five years
  • Up to $132,000 per year (of which the Investigator receives $100,000)
  • Renewal for an additional five years may be considered
  • Appointments will begin August 1, 2021

  An Investigator will receive research support in the amount of $100,000 per year. An additional $10,000 per year will be provided to the Investigator’s department. The Investigator’s institution will receive an additional 20 percent per year in indirect costs.

  Eligibility
  • A scientist must be engaged in theoretical research in mathematics, physics (or theoretical physics in life sciences), astrophysics or computer science and must not have previously been a Simons Investigator.
  • She/he must be midcareer (at least 10 years of significant research potential), have a primary appointment as a tenured faculty member at an educational institution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland, on a campus within these countries, and the primary department affiliation must have a Ph.D. program.
  • The investigator should not hold an administrative position at the time of the appointment start date that significantly reduces the time available for research, including departmental chair or institute director.
  • Investigators are not eligible to hold a Simons Fellowship or another Simons Investigator award for the duration of the Simons Investigator award.
  • Candidates from previous years are allowed to be re-nominated.
  • Investigators are expected to attend the MPS annual meeting, held at the Simons Foundation in October of each year.

  Eligibility Requirements — Investigator in Theoretical Physics in Life Sciences: To be eligible to be nominated for an Investigator in Theoretical Physics in Life Sciences award, a nominee must be a well-established, midcareer researcher who develops and applies advance theoretical physics ideas and methods in the life sciences.

  For information on the typical profile of successful nominations, please visit our website, where a list of current awardees may be found. In 2021, the foundation expects to appoint up to four Investigators in Mathematics, up to seven in Physics (including up to two in Theoretical Physics in Life Sciences), up to two in Astrophysics and up to three in Theoretical Computer Science.

  To nominate a candidate:
  The candidate’s materials should be submitted by August 14, 2020 by someone other than the candidate. Materials should be submitted via InfoReady, https://ucsc.infoready4.com/, as follows:

  Select “Apply” from the menu on the right-hand side.
  • Nomination Letter (two-page limit): Written and signed by the nominator (someone other than the nominee), on letterhead. Please explain the distinctive scientific contributions of the nominee, focusing on scientific accomplishments of the past five years and including discussion of a few important papers. Co-signed letters by more than one nominator are acceptable within the page limit.
  • Nominee’s Curriculum Vitae: The nominee’s curriculum vitae, including Ph.D. year, institution, advisor, postdoctoral institutions and advisors, positions held subsequent to award of doctorate, a list of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows mentored by the nominee and the nominee’s up-to date publication list.

  Timeline:
  August 14, 2020 Nominations due to CFR via InfoReady
  By August 31, 2020 Campus Selection complete
  October 28, 2020 Nominations due to Simons Foundation
  May 31, 2021 Notification Date
  August 1, 2021 Award Start Date

  *The nominator of nominees who are selected to move forward will need to work their OSP officer to meet applicable internal deadlines and requirements.

  To initiate your proposal, use this new Office of Sponsored Projects proposal intake form, or notify your OSP officer promptly to meet applicable internal deadlines and requirements.

  Full proposal internal deadlines: https://officeofresearch.ucsc.edu/osp/prep/deadlines.html