Physical Sciences Division
Building on a legendary foundation, today’s Chicago minds advance discoveries that shape how we understand the world—and what we can create from it.
Where the fundamental forces of the universe are understood and reimagined
In the Physical Sciences Division, inquiry begins with the most fundamental questions—about matter, energy, space, and information—and leads to discoveries that transform how we live.
Across numerous disciplines, researchers are advancing fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, climate modeling, and chemical biology through work that will shape the future of technology and society. Partnerships with national laboratories, industry, and collaborators across the University accelerate this impact.
Philanthropic support will fuel faculty excellence, empower emerging scientists, and advance the environments where foundational discovery leads to transformative change.
Priorities
Your giving can support the following areas:
- Endowed professorships and faculty recruitment to attract and retain pioneering scientists working at the frontiers of physics, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, computer science, and quantum science
- Graduate student fellowships and postdoctoral support to train the next generation of researchers pursuing fundamental discoveries across the physical sciences
- Quantum science, AI, and computational research initiatives to advance breakthrough work in quantum computing, machine learning, advanced simulation, and data-intensive scientific discovery
- Interdisciplinary research partnerships with Argonne and other national laboratories to accelerate collaboration across the University and expand access to world-class scientific infrastructure and instrumentation
- Laboratory modernization and advanced research facilities to create the environments, technologies, and shared scientific resources required for next-generation discovery
- Undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities to give students direct access to hands-on scientific inquiry alongside leading faculty and research teams
- Flexible discovery funds for high-risk, high-reward science to support bold new ideas, emerging fields, and exploratory research that may transform our understanding of the universe
Contact
Katie Bailey
773.702.6561
kbailey1@uchicago.edu