National — Simons Foundation 2027-2028 Scientific Software Research Faculty Award (Salary Support + $250,000 Research Allowance; LOI January 21)

Simons Foundation 2027–2028 Scientific Software Research Faculty Award funds newly created U.S. research faculty positions with five years of salary support and up to $250,000 in research allowances. Individual total award varies by salary. LOI January 21, 2027 noon ET.

FundingNo fixed aggregate per-applicant award ceiling published. Formula: five years of academic-year salary and fringe benefits for new eligible research professor, 100% supported in years 1-2 and 50% in years 3-5; the host university contributes the remaining 50% of salary support in years 3-5. Additionally $50,000/year research allowance (up to $250,000 over five years) and indirect costs up to 20% of modified total direct costs. The $250,000 research allowance is NOT the overall individual award limit; total depends on salary and eligible costs.

DeadlineOPEN competitive individual Letter of Intent due January 21, 2027, 12:00 p.m. noon Eastern Time; LOI decisions by May 31, 2027. Selected applicants submit noncompetitive full institutional proposal at least three months before appointment start, no later than June 1, 2028 for a September 1, 2028 start. Appointment must begin on first of month by September 1, 2028.

Last verified2026-11-01

Required next actionApplicant researcher with Ph.D. in mathematics, astronomy, theoretical physics or sufficiently advanced related computational basic science and proven scientific software leadership should plan a newly created, non-term-limited faculty-level appointment at an eligible U.S. Ph.D.-granting university, with formal PI privileges and no more than 50% teaching/department computational support. Submit Simons Award Manager LOI by January 21, 2027 noon Eastern, including four-page scientific vision and software sustainability plan, biosketch and support disclosures. After selection, secure a university-hosted appointment and department chair/dean signed institutional commitment letter and detailed five-year budget for full proposal at least three months before start.

Broad Eligibility

Individual scientific software researcher with Ph.D. or equivalent in mathematics, astronomy, theoretical physics or comparably sophisticated related computational basic science; established leading role in relevant research software. New research professor, professor of practice or equivalent permanent/non-term-limited position must be created at a public/private U.S. Ph.D.-granting institution, with PI status and no more than 50% teaching or departmental computational support. Existing positions not eligible unless applicant fills a distinct newly created position; current Simons/Flatiron salary conflicts restricted. No citizenship restriction. Host must commit 50% salary for award years 3-5.

Atlas Analysis

Simons Foundation Scientific Software Research Faculty Award, 2027-2028

Open competitive letter of intent deadline: January 21, 2027 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time. The Simons Foundation supports the creation of new long-term faculty-level positions for researchers who lead the development and maintenance of widely useful scientific software in mathematics, astronomy, theoretical physics or related computational basic sciences. Up to six awards are expected.

Individual applicant award amount: A uniform dollar cap is not published because funded salary depends on the approved faculty appointment. The five-year grant supports 100 percent of academic-year salary and benefits in years 1 and 2, then 50 percent in years 3 through 5; the host university must supply the remaining 50 percent salary in those last three years. The grant also offers a $50,000 annual research allowance, up to $250,000 over five years, and indirect costs of up to 20 percent of modified total direct costs. The $250,000 research allowance is not the total per-applicant award ceiling.

Eligibility and host commitments: Applicants need a Ph.D. or equivalent in an eligible mathematical, physical or sufficiently sophisticated computational basic-science field and a demonstrated record of scientific-software leadership. Awardees must join a newly created, non-term-limited faculty-level role at a U.S. public or private Ph.D.-granting institution, hold principal investigator status, and spend no more than 50 percent of time on teaching or departmental computational support. Current faculty roles cannot simply be relabeled for the grant. There is no citizenship restriction. Simons Foundation and Flatiron Institute employee conflicts are restricted.

Allowable uses: The research allowance may support research personnel and student assistants, small equipment and supplies, computer support, scientific travel, visiting collaborators and workshops. PI summer salary is not allowable. Host university salary participation in award years 3-5 is a specific cost-sharing obligation.

Application steps: Researcher submits a letter of intent through Simons Award Manager by January 21, 2027 at noon Eastern, including a four-page scientific vision and software sustainability plan, applicant biosketch, publication list and support disclosures. LOI notifications are expected May 31, 2027. Selected applicants then establish the eligible new university position and submit an institutional full proposal with chair/dean commitment and detailed budget at least three months before the award begins; the outer full-proposal deadline is June 1, 2028 for a September 1, 2028 appointment. Review the official 2027-2028 RFA, How to Apply and FAQ for controlling terms.