Schmidt Sciences | Unconventional Compute Program RFP
Event details
| Date | 30.04.2026 |
| Category | Call for proposal |
Aim: Schmidt Sciences seeks to fund research that can catalyze hardware fundamentally different from today’s CPU–GPU paradigm, and the training/inference methods co-designed to operate under the constraints imposed by such hardware: low numerical precision, device noise, drift, non-idealities etc. They are looking for proposals grounded in the creation of hardware that will solve specific, well-defined technological problems where conventional computers underperform. This request is open to universities and non-profits globally.
This RFP is for you if:
Track 2 - Up to $750K for 12-18 months
Eligibility: Schmidt sciences invites individual researchers, research teams, research institutions, and multi-institution collaborations across universities, national laboratories, institutes, and non-profit research organizations. They are open globally and encourage collaborations across geographic boundaries. However, the recipient of funding must hold a 501(c)(3) designation or equivalent.
How to Apply: Requests for proposals can be submitted via the Application Portal. You will be asked to provide Background information, Team CVs, a Project abstract, a statement on Bigger ambition, as well as a Project narrative and Budget. Budgets should include overhead of 11.1% of indirect costs (or 10% of the total budget).
Deadline: 30 April 2026 (11:59 AoE)
Further information
This RFP is for you if:
- You are building or designing compute hardware that is NOT based on conventional CPUs or GPUs.
- You have a real-world task in mind where your hardware could eventually outperform GPUs.
Track 2 - Up to $750K for 12-18 months
Eligibility: Schmidt sciences invites individual researchers, research teams, research institutions, and multi-institution collaborations across universities, national laboratories, institutes, and non-profit research organizations. They are open globally and encourage collaborations across geographic boundaries. However, the recipient of funding must hold a 501(c)(3) designation or equivalent.
How to Apply: Requests for proposals can be submitted via the Application Portal. You will be asked to provide Background information, Team CVs, a Project abstract, a statement on Bigger ambition, as well as a Project narrative and Budget. Budgets should include overhead of 11.1% of indirect costs (or 10% of the total budget).
Deadline: 30 April 2026 (11:59 AoE)
Further information
- More information about the program is available here
- An FAQ document is provided here
- The application portal can be found here
- For any other questions, please contact the Research Office
Practical information
- General public
- Free