Open call: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation – EPiQS Materials Synthesis Investigator and Moore Synthesis Fellow

Feb 26, 2026 | Awards & Funding, Faculty

To: Science Faculty
From: Office of Foundation Relations
Subject: Funding Opportunity

The Office of Foundations Relations is pleased to share this open call for applications from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.  



Overview: 


The EPiQS Materials Synthesis Investigator and Moore Synthesis Fellow awards support leading and emerging U.S.-based experts in materials synthesis. The program aims to advance new synthesis approaches, facilitate the discovery of new quantum materials, improve the quality of existing materials, and strengthen the status of synthesis experts in U.S. academia. 


The competition features two award categories based on career stage: 


    

  • Materials Synthesis Investigators – Awards for U.S.-based faculty at any career stage. 
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  • Moore Synthesis Fellows – Awards for U.S.-based faculty who began their first tenure-track appointment in 2024 or later. 
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This call for proposals will result in the appointment of up to six Materials Synthesis Investigators and up to two Moore Synthesis Fellows. 


Please scroll down to see a list of affiliated investigators.  


Award Amount & Terms:


    

  • six years of unconstrained funding
    • 

  • $1,800,000–$1,900,000 for Materials Synthesis Investigator
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  • $1,300,000–$1,400,000 for Moore Synthesis Fellows
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  • IDC up to 12.5%
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Eligibility: 


    

  • To be eligible for an EPiQS Investigator award, an applicant’s primary appointment must be as tenured, tenure-track, or research faculty at a U.S. academic institution.
    • 

  • To be eligible for a Moore Synthesis Fellow award, an applicant must be a current U.S.-based faculty member whose first tenure-track appointment began in 2024 or later. Individuals whose first tenure-track appointment will begin after the pre-application deadline of March 27, 2026, are also eligible, provided they have formally accepted the position.  
    • 

  • Past and current Moore Foundation grantees are eligible to apply. 
    • 

  • In 2026, both the EPiQS and Experimental Physics Investigators (EPI) initiatives will conduct investigator competitions. Applicants eligible for both programs may apply to only one this year. 
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Timeline


    

  • March 27, 2026, 11:59PT  Pre-applications due
    • 

  • 60 highly competitive applicants will be identified and invited to submit a full proposal.
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Special Requirements: 


Please notify the Office of Foundation Relations if you are interested in applying to this opportunity (cfr@ucsc.edu). For support developing your idea, please contact the Research Development Specialist (RDS) assigned to your unit or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu. 




Call sent: February 26, 2026


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.


 


			
 

				
				
				
If you have any questions or comments, please contact forde@ucsc.edu

			
 
			
 

				
				
				

				
				
				
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