Simons Foundation Utilizing the Full Power of Empire AI Awards 2026
Simons Foundation grants from a $6 million pool for science and math research that uses Empire AI GPU clusters. Apply by December 1, 2026.
The Simons Foundation is accepting applications for its Utilizing the Full Power of Empire AI program. It funds ambitious two year research programs in mathematics and basic science that run on the computing power of Empire AI, the shared GPU system of a group of New York universities.
The total budget is $6 million USD over two years. The foundation expects to fund six to 12 applications. There is no maximum for a single award, and all amounts include indirect costs. Awards run from June 1, 2027 to May 31, 2029.
Projects can sit in computational astrophysics and physics, computational biology, mathematics, neuroscience or computational physical chemistry, or where these fields meet. Each project must develop or use foundational machine learning models, and every proposal has to explain how it will use the multinode GPU clusters at Empire AI.
The lead PI must hold a tenure track or tenured faculty post at a consortium member: Columbia, Cornell, CUNY, SUNY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NYU, the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology or the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. All applicants and key collaborators need a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent. Other PIs can join from outside the consortium through a subcontract. Institutions in China or Hong Kong cannot receive funds.
Applications go through the Simons Award Manager (SAM), under the call named Utilizing the Full Power of Empire AI Awards, and need sign off from the institution's signing official. The deadline is 12 p.m. Eastern time on December 1, 2026. Decisions are planned for March 1, 2027.
Quick answers
How much does it pay?
$6 million USD over a two-year period. It is a grant and takes no equity.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is 1 December 2026.
Who can apply?
Lead PI must hold a tenure track or tenured faculty post at an Empire AI consortium institution; all applicants need a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent. It is limited to applicants in North America.
How do I apply?
Through the official page at sam.simonsfoundation.org. The link is at the top of this page.
Can researchers outside the consortium take part?
Yes, as additional PIs through a subcontract, including at non U.S. institutions. The lead PI must be at a consortium member.
Is there a maximum award size?
No. The foundation expects to fund six to 12 applications, and the $6 million budget is spread across all awards, indirect costs included.
Are there citizenship requirements?
No. The foundation says there are no citizenship requirements.