NSF-AFRL REsearch in FLoquet Engineered QuanTum Systems | 25 520

REFLEQTS (NSF-AFRL) Grant Opportunity: FAQs

1) What is the REFLEQTS program?

REFLEQTS stands for NSF-AFRL REsearch in FLoquet Engineered QuanTum Systems. It is a joint grant program run by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) focused on quantum systems that are driven by time-periodic forces, commonly referred to as Floquet engineering.

2) What does "Floquet engineered quantum systems" mean in this context?

In this opportunity, Floquet engineering refers to using carefully designed periodic driving to create and control nonequilibrium quantum states and effective Hamiltonians that do not naturally occur at equilibrium. Examples of periodic driving mentioned include modulated electromagnetic fields, optical pulses, microwave drives, and periodic lattice shaking.

3) What problem is this program trying to solve?

The solicitation is motivated by a practical bottleneck in quantum technology: many quantum states needed for sensing, computation, secure communication, and advanced materials behavior are fragile, difficult to prepare reliably on demand, and hard to stabilize long enough to be useful. The program aims to make quantum platforms more controllable and more deployable by advancing Floquet-engineered approaches.

4) What kinds of research activities does REFLEQTS support?

Based on the summary provided, research may span fundamental science through early technology development. The opportunity supports work that advances materials, devices, theoretical tools, and system-level approaches for Floquet-engineered platforms.

5) What application areas are explicitly mentioned?

The call mentions applications including quantum sensing, quantum devices, quantum materials, and full quantum systems. It also connects these efforts to broader goals like controllable quantum capabilities and national competitiveness.

6) Is the program looking for incremental work or higher-risk, transformative ideas?

The solicitation encourages proposals described as transformative rather than incremental. That suggests competitive proposals should aim to deliver substantial leaps in capability, understanding, or integration, not just modest extensions of prior work.

7) How is the program positioned within broader U.S. quantum initiatives?

REFLEQTS is explicitly positioned within the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) strategy for Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE). The program emphasizes interagency collaboration and accelerating outcomes that support U.S. competitiveness and national security interests.

8) What team structure is required?

Team structure is required. Each proposal must include at least one Principal Investigator (PI) and at least two co-Principal Investigators (co-PIs). In addition, the investigators must come from at least two different institutions.

9) What kinds of expertise combinations are encouraged?

The opportunity emphasizes mid-scale, multi-investigator teams with complementary strengths across institutions. Examples of complementary pairings mentioned include theory with experimentation, and fabrication with testing and system integration. The call also highlights value in bridging classical and quantum materials, device physics, fabrication and test, photonics, and quantum optics, especially when combined to reach performance levels not achievable in equilibrium operation.

10) What does the program mean by "integration" across research approaches?

A distinguishing feature is the expectation that theory, experiment, and data-intensive or data-driven methods are brought together coherently. The summary describes a "tight feedback loop" between modeling and design (including Floquet theory and nonequilibrium dynamics), experimental realization (fabrication, measurement, and control of driven quantum platforms), and modern data approaches.

11) Are data-driven or machine-learning methods relevant to this solicitation?

Yes. The summary explicitly mentions modern data approaches such as automated experiment design, machine-learning-assisted control, and large-scale analysis of complex dynamical behavior, alongside theory and experiment.

12) Does the program support workforce development and training?

Yes. The program expects requested funds to support not only research advances but also leadership and workforce development, including training students and early-career researchers for quantum-relevant careers in academia and industry.

13) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is limited to U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). This includes accredited two-year and four-year colleges and universities (including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States. Proposals are submitted on behalf of faculty at those institutions.

14) Are community colleges eligible?

Yes. The summary explicitly includes accredited two-year colleges and community colleges as eligible IHEs, as long as they have a campus located in the United States.

15) What are the PI and co-PI appointment requirements?

Principal Investigators and co-Principal Investigators must hold primary, full-time, paid appointments in research or teaching roles at U.S.-based campuses or offices of eligible IHEs. The summary notes limited exceptions related to family or medical leave, as determined by the submitting institution.

16) Can work be funded at an international branch campus of a U.S. university?

It can be included, but special justification is required. If a proposal includes funding for an international branch campus of a U.S. IHE (directly or through subawards or consulting arrangements), the submission must clearly explain why work at the branch campus benefits the project and why those activities cannot reasonably be performed at the U.S. campus.

17) What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?

The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant opportunity with the funding instrument listed as a Grant.

18) What are the CFDA numbers associated with this program?

The summary lists CFDA numbers 12.800 and 47.041.

19) What is the official title and funding opportunity number?

The title is "NSF-AFRL REsearch in FLoquet Engineered QuanTum Systems." The Funding Opportunity Number is 25-520.

20) What are the key dates provided?

The summary lists a creation date of 2024-12-07 and an original closing date of 2025-03-14.

21) Does the public summary provide the award ceiling or expected number of awards?

No. The provided fields do not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards. Applicants are advised (per the summary) to consult the full solicitation for budget ranges, duration expectations, and any additional proposal preparation or compliance requirements.

22) What should applicants review in the full solicitation that is not included in the summary?

Based on the summary, applicants would need to consult the full solicitation for details such as budget ranges, award duration expectations, and any additional proposal preparation instructions or compliance requirements.

23) What types of driven controls are named as examples of periodic driving?

The summary lists modulated electromagnetic fields, optical pulses, microwave drives, and periodic lattice shaking as examples of time-periodic driving methods used in Floquet engineering.

24) What makes a proposal more likely to be competitive according to the summary?

The summary suggests proposals are likely to be competitive when they demonstrate coherent integration of theory, experiment, and data-driven methods, including a tight feedback loop between modeling/design, experimental realization, and modern data approaches, and when the team brings complementary expertise across institutions.