The Office of Foundation Relations is pleased to share these two open calls for funding from the Simons Foundation.
UCSC Contact: Samantha Forde | forde@ucsc.edu
Funder: Simons Foundation
- Opportunity: Collaborations in Mathematics and the Physical Sciences
- Opportunity: Simons Symposia (see below)
(1) Collaborations in Mathematics and the Physical Sciences; Deadline: October 29, 2025, 9am PT
Overview
The aim of the Simons Collaborations in MPS program is to stimulate progress on fundamental scientific questions of major importance in mathematics, theoretical physics and theoretical computer science.
A Simons Collaboration in MPS should address a mathematical or theoretical topic of fundamental scientific importance, where a significant, new development creates a novel area for exploration or provides a new direction for progress in an established field. TThe project should have clearly defined initial activities and goals by which progress and success can be measured. The support from the foundation should be seen as critical for the objectives of the project.
The project should involve outstanding researchers in a range of career stages. Excellence of the scientific leadership is one of the main criteria in the selection process. The project should be organized and managed to facilitate a high level of collaboration.
Award Amount & Terms
Up to $2 million per year for an initial period of four years, including indirect costs as outlined in the grant policies. The annual budget may vary from $2 million as long as the total four-year budget is no more than $8 million.
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The MPS division expects to award up to three new collaborations in 2026.
Eligibility
- The collaboration director must hold a tenured faculty, or equivalent, position at a U.S. educational institution, on a campus within these countries, with a Ph.D. program in the director’s department at the time of application and for the duration of the award.
- PIs and co-Investigators (co-Is) must hold a tenured or tenure-track faculty, or equivalent, position at an educational institution at the time of application and for the duration of the award.
- An individual may be part of more than one letter of intent (LOI) or full proposal, as long as all eligibility requirements are met. There is no LOI limit per institution or individual.
See here for a list of previously awarded collaborations.
See here for a list of FAQs.
Timeline
- October 29, 2025, 9am PT LOI Deadline
- January 1, 2026 LOI Notification
- February 25, 2026, 9am PT Full Proposal Deadline
- July 1, 2026 Award Notification
- September 1, 2026 Award Start Date
(2) Simons Symposia Deadline: November 5, 2025
Overview
The Simons Foundation’s Mathematics & Physical Sciences (MPS) division invites proposals for its Simons Symposia series, which brings together mathematicians, theoretical physicists and theoretical computer scientists to interact and collaborate in a series of three symposia, held every two years and focusing on one topic or a tightly connected group of topics.
A symposium series consists of up to three weeklong meetings on one topic or a tightly connected group of topics. A symposium series is initially approved for one year and renewed for up to two more meetings if successful.
Please see previous Simons Symposia for reference.
Award Amount & Terms
The symposium is awarded to the organizing committee, although no funds are directly awarded. The foundation will administer all expenses.
Eligibility
Institutional involvement and approval are not required for the application, and applicants from within or outside the United States are eligible.
See here a list of FAQs.
Timeline
- November 5, 2025, 9am PT Application Deadline:
- December 31, 2025 Notification
Special Instructions
(fr@ucsc.edu). For support developing your proposal, please contact the Research Development Specialist or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu.
Call Sent: September 23, 2025
The Office of Foundation Relations is a unit of University Advancement. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits. For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website: FR Calls for Funding.