Collaborative Research: Frameworks: Building the PySCF Software Infrastructure for Next-Generation Electronic Structure Simulations

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $680,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This project builds the next-generation Python Simulations of Chemistry Framework (PySCF) software platform to make electronic structure simulations faster, more robust, and more accessible to computational scientists across many disciplines. The new cyberinfrastructure will enable researchers to better understand the behavior of complex molecules and materials, which plays a crucial role in advancing energy technologies, catalysis, drug discovery, and quantum materials. By harnessing modern computing architectures such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and developing advanced quantum chemistry algorithms, the project will significantly speed up large-scale quantum simulations while reducing computational cost. The project will also produce user-friendly interfaces, manuals, tutorials, and training materials to support education and workforce development in computational science. As an open-source and extensible platform, the PySCF software will catalyze innovation across a broad research community, including chemistry, physics, materials science, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum information science. First-principles simulations play an essential role in chemistry and materials research, yet the user adoption of more robust electronic structure methods has been hindered by the lack of open-source, high-performance, and user-friendly software infrastructure. The sustained innovation of new quantum chemistry tools is also often hampered by high code complexity and

Key facts

NSF award ID
2513476
Awardee
Columbia University (NY)
SAM.gov UEI
F4N1QNPB95M4
PI
Timothy Berkelbach
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Estimated total
$680,000
Funds obligated
$680,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2030