The Utilizing the Full Power of Empire AI Request for Applications from the Simons Foundation supports cutting-edge mathematics and basic science research that draws on the advanced computational power of Empire AI.
The new program aims to fund two-year research programs in computational astrophysics and physics, computational biology, mathematics, neuroscience, computational physical chemistry, or their intersections, relying on the development and utilization of foundational machine learning models and multinode GPU clusters.
Applications must be led by a Principal Investigator holding a tenure-track or tenured faculty position at one of the Empire AI consortium member institutions (Columbia University, Cornell University, CUNY, SUNY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NYU, University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, or Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai). All applicants and key collaborators must hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree. Additional PIs may be added through subcontracts at U.S. or non-U.S. institutions, and Flatiron Institute employees may participate as unfunded collaborators. There are no citizenship requirements, though institutions in China or Hong Kong are not eligible.
The program’s total budget is 6,000,000 USD over two years, spread across 6 to 12 awards. All awards are inclusive of indirect costs.
Applications close on December 1, 2026.