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Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF) - FAQs

1) What is the Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF) program?

Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Physics Division grant opportunity focused on strengthening the cyberinfrastructure and information-driven approaches that modern physics relies on. It supports efforts like data-enabled science, community research networks, new computational infrastructure, and next-generation computing approaches.

2) What kinds of projects does PIF aim to support?

PIF supports projects that advance computing, data, and information methods for physics research. The description emphasizes developing reusable tools and platforms, improving computational capabilities, building data access and curation infrastructure, and exploring transformative computing paradigms (including quantum information science), especially where the outcomes can benefit research communities.

3) Which NSF unit sponsors this opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with the NSF Physics Division.

4) What physics research areas are included in PIF's scope?

The program is intended for work across the Physics Division portfolio, including:

• Atomic, molecular, and optical physics
• Plasma physics
• Elementary particle physics
• Nuclear physics
• Particle astrophysics
• Gravitational physics
• Biological physics

5) Can PIF support projects that benefit disciplines beyond physics?

Yes. While the program focuses on Physics Division fields, it encourages broader impacts that can benefit other scientific disciplines, especially when the tools, platforms, or methods developed are widely reusable.

6) Are cross-disciplinary proposals allowed?

Yes. Cross-disciplinary proposals are explicitly welcomed. The program also notes that collaborations can involve applied mathematicians and computer scientists as appropriate, depending on the project area.

7) What if my proposal is primarily in a field usually handled by another NSF division?

If a proposal is mainly centered in an area typically handled by another NSF division, NSF expects it to be submitted to that division instead.

8) How does NSF recommend handling proposals that bridge multiple divisions?

For projects that bridge divisions, NSF encourages principal investigators to request co-review by listing other relevant divisional programs on the proposal cover sheet. This is intended to streamline joint evaluation and improve the likelihood that appropriate experts and programs are involved in the review.

9) What are the main subareas funded by PIF?

PIF funds proposals in three main subareas:

• Computational physics
• Data-enabled physics
• Quantum information science and revolutionary computing

10) What does PIF prioritize in computational physics proposals?

In computational physics, PIF emphasizes high-performance computing methods that require substantial code development and are led by physicists (with collaboration from applied mathematicians and computer scientists as appropriate). Competitive proposals typically combine strong physics science goals with a clear computational advance that enables new science, such as:

• Novel algorithms
• Improved scalability
• Better performance on emerging architectures
• Major enhancements to widely used community codes

11) Does PIF fund routine or standard uses of computing?

The description indicates that PIF is not primarily looking for routine computing use. It prioritizes work that meaningfully advances computational capability for physics research communities.

12) What types of activities fit under data-enabled physics?

Data-enabled physics supports tools and infrastructure that make physics data easier to access, manage, preserve, and analyze across distributed and heterogeneous computing environments. This includes technologies and workflows for rapid, secure, and efficient access to large data stores, plus digital preservation and long-term curation strategies.

13) What are examples of data-enabled physics activities mentioned in the opportunity?

Examples listed include:

• Developing systems for integrating datasets from experimental facilities
• Improving metadata and provenance capture
• Building robust data portals and services
• Creating data handling pipelines that increase the scientific return of facility-generated data

14) What kinds of data-enabled projects tend to receive priority?

The description notes that priority tends to go to projects that either serve broad communities (for example, reusable platforms adopted by many groups) or deliver dramatic new capabilities within a specific physics subfield.

15) What does PIF support in quantum information science and revolutionary computing?

PIF supports theoretical and experimental research exploring how quantum mechanics can enable new computing paradigms and information technologies. This includes advancing quantum-based information processing, communication, transmission, and control.

16) Does the quantum information science area encourage specific types of collaborations?

Yes. It explicitly encourages collaborations that bring together physicists with mathematicians and computer scientists.

17) What is the overall goal of the quantum information science and revolutionary computing area?

The goal is to push fundamental and applied frontiers in how information can be represented, manipulated, and transported using quantum effects, potentially leading to transformative advances beyond classical approaches.

18) Is this an NSF discretionary grant program?

Yes. The administrative details describe it as a discretionary NSF grant program.

19) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The listing associates the opportunity with CFDA 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences).

20) Is cost sharing required for PIF proposals?

No. The administrative details state there is no cost sharing requirement.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility language in the full solicitation.

22) What is the funding opportunity number for this listing?

The listing provides Funding Opportunity Number PD 13-7553.

23) When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The record indicates:

• Posted date: September 20, 2013
• Original closing date: November 29, 2013
• Archive date: August 20, 2014

24) Is there a related solicitation with the same title?

Yes. The listing notes a related solicitation (PD 14-7553) with the same title. However, the provided text does not explicitly state that it replaces PD 13-7553.

25) Who should applicants contact for Grants.gov access or linking issues?

For practical submission questions related to access or linking issues, the notice points applicants to NSF/Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.