Are you ready to be part of Georgia Tech’s newest interdisciplinary venture? 

The Institute for Matter and Systems (IMS) is calling for dynamic and visionary initiative leads to join our ambitious research and innovation program. This is your chance to contribute to our vision of establishing Georgia Tech as the unassailable thought leader in ‘matter and systems,’ and to play a crucial role in the Institute’s growth.
 

About IMS 

IMS is dedicated to the convergence of innovative materials, devices, and processes. We believe that breakthroughs in these areas will create revolutionary technological and societal systems, driving the future of innovation. Our goal is to leverage Georgia Tech’s talent and resources to pioneer the systems of tomorrow and their foundational components.

The Opportunity 

IMS offers a structured funding program across three tiers: centers, programs, and initiatives. This request for proposals applies only to initiatives and programs.

Research initiatives are flexible, early-stage projects aimed at developing a compelling vision and building interdisciplinary teams through meetings, workshops, and grant writing. They are ideal for researchers exploring new ideas and partnerships. Initiatives may receive up to $10,000 per year in direct funding to refine their vision and form strong teams, preparing them to pursue program-level funding from IMS or external sources. Initiatives are renewable pending progress.

Research programs support previously funded initiatives that have demonstrated success in developing a strong vision and assembling a cohesive, interdisciplinary team. Programs are designed to elevate that work to the next level. Each program may receive up to $40,000 per year to gather essential preliminary data and submit proposals to external funding agencies.

Proposer's Lunch

There will be a “Proposer’s Lunch” on Tuesday, April 15th at 11:30 AM in Marcus 1116. This informal gathering is a great chance to:

  • Learn more about the funding opportunity
  • Hear examples of previously funded initiatives and programs
  • Get early feedback on your ideas
  • Connect with fellow Georgia Tech colleagues in a relaxed setting

Lunch will be provided to those that RSVP by April 14th.

Apply Now

Application Deadline: May 9, 2025

Send applications with the following information as a single PDF via email to Maria Montenegro, no later than May 9, 2025.

Applicants should answer the below questions in their application.

Application for initiatives and programs must include NSF-style biosketch of the leadership team. All application materials for initiatives and programs cannot exceed two pages, exclusive of NSF biosketches. 

Initiative Applicants

Initiative applicants should explicitly answer the following questions in their application:

  1. What is the five-year goal of your research initiative? What is its potential impact on science, technology, and society? What metrics demonstrate how this research promises to conceptually or quantitatively advance the state-of-the-art?
  2. What interdisciplinary expertise is needed to enable this research? Which researchers do you plan to engage?
  3. Why are you suited to lead this initiative? What makes Georgia Tech the ideal place to pursue this idea?
  4. (For initiative renewals) What progress has been made so far, and why is additional funding at the initiative level the most effective next step?
     

Program Applicants

Program applicants should explicitly answer the following questions in their application: 

  1. Summarize your initiative’s progress toward developing its vision, building the team, and identifying potential funding opportunities.
  2. What is the three-year goal of your program? Why is your team well equipped to achieve it? Why can the work not be funded through existing funding or via traditional external mechanisms?
  3. Which proposals do you plan to pursue, and why are they promising opportunities? For one of these proposals, state and describe its primary research thrusts.
     

Project timeline and reporting

Funding for successful initiatives or programs will be available on July 1, 2025. The total number of newly funded initiatives and programs will depend on the quality of submissions and available funding.

Initiative and program leadership will meet semi-annually with the IMS Deputy Director.

Initiatives and programs will submit a brief report of their progress at the end of each fiscal year. Funding beyond the first fiscal year will depend on progress toward the initiative’s or program’s goals and available funding.
 

FAQ

Must I have answers to all the above narrative questions?

No. We encourage applications with ideas and connections still under development. Answer each question to the best of your ability and indicate where further work will be needed post-funding.

Does my initiative have to align with the current IMS research thrusts?

No. We expect some initiatives to align with existing thrusts; however, we also encourage applications that identify new opportunities at the intersection of materials, devices, processes, and systems.

If my initiative ideas overlap with an existing IMS center, program, or initiative, how should I address this in my proposal?

Clearly state both the similarities and the distinctions between your initiative and the existing IMS initiative. While some degree of overlap may be unavoidable, it is important to make a strong case for why your initiative merits funding despite these overlaps.

Does my team have to be fully formed upon application?

No. We accept applications from teams of any size, whether you are an individual researcher or already part of a large team.

Can research faculty be initiative leads?

Yes.

Can I speak with someone about my ideas?

Yes. Contact Michael Filler (mfiller@gatech.edu) at any time with questions or to discuss a potential initiative idea.

There will also be “Proposer’s Lunch” on Tuesday, April 15th at 11:30 AM in Marcus 1116. This informal gathering is a great chance to:

  • Learn more about the funding opportunity
  • Hear examples of previously funded initiatives and programs
  • Get early feedback on your ideas
  • Connect with fellow Georgia Tech colleagues in a relaxed setting

Lunch will be provided to those that RSVP at this link by April 14th.
 

Where can I learn more about IMS?

More information about IMS and its existing centers, programs, and initiatives is available on its website.